BEST OF
10 Best CalHFA Mortgage Lenders of 2021
CalHFA loan programs help you purchase a home in California with down payment and closing cost assistance. See our picks for CalHFA participating lenders.
The California Housing Finance Agency, or CalHFA, provides mortgage and assistance programs to help Californians buy their first home.
To take advantage of these loan programs, you’ll have to work with a participating loan officer. But how do you know which lender is right for you?
NerdWallet compared several of CalHFA’s participating lenders, identifying the best ones for a variety of borrower needs so you can start your mortgage search with confidence.
The California Housing Finance Agency, or CalHFA, provides mortgage and assistance programs to help Californians buy their first home.
To take advantage of these loan programs, you’ll have to work with a participating loan officer. But how do you know which lender is right for you?
NerdWallet compared several of CalHFA’s participating lenders, identifying the best ones for a variety of borrower needs so you can start your mortgage search with confidence.
Summary of Best CalHFA Mortgage Lenders of 2021
Lender | NerdWallet Rating | Minimum Credit Score | Minimum Down Payment | Learn More |
---|---|---|---|---|
Best for online experience | 620 | 3% | at Guaranteed Rate | |
Best for veterans | 620 | 3% | at New American Funding | |
Best for low credit | 620 | 5% | at loanDepot | |
Best for nonbank | 620 | 3% | at Fairway Independent Mortgage | |
Best for online experience | 620 | 3% | Read review | |
Best for low credit | 620 | 3% | Read review | |
Best for veterans | 620 | 3% | Read review | |
Best for fixer-uppers | 620 | 3% | Read review | |
Best for fixer-uppers | 620 | 3% | Read review | |
Best for nonbank | 620 | 3% | Read review |
at Guaranteed Rate
Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611

Min. Credit Score
Min. Down Payment
at Guaranteed Rate
at New American Funding
New American Funding: NMLS#6606
Min. Credit Score
Min. Down Payment
at New American Funding
at loanDepot
loanDepot: NMLS#174457

Min. Credit Score
Min. Down Payment
at loanDepot
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

Min. Credit Score
Min. Down Payment
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
Guild Mortgage: NMLS#3274

Min. Credit Score
Min. Down Payment
HomeBridge: NMLS#6521

Min. Credit Score
Min. Down Payment
Caliber: NMLS#15622

Min. Credit Score
Min. Down Payment
PrimeLending: NMLS#13649

Min. Credit Score
Min. Down Payment
Wintrust Mortgage: NMLS#449042

Min. Credit Score
Min. Down Payment
Alterra: NMLS#133739

Min. Credit Score
Min. Down Payment
Last updated on January 4, 2021
Methodology
NerdWallet's star ratings for mortgage lenders are awarded based on our evaluation of the products and services each lender offers to consumers who are actively shopping for the best mortgage. The five key areas we evaluated include the variety of loan types and products offered, online conveniences, online mortgage rate information, and the rate spread and origination fee lenders reported in the latest available Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data. To ensure consistency, our ratings are reviewed by multiple people on the NerdWallet Mortgages team.
To recap our selections...
NerdWallet's Best CalHFA Mortgage Lenders of 2021
- Guaranteed Rate: Best for online experience
- New American Funding: Best for veterans
- loanDepot: Best for low credit
- Fairway Independent Mortgage: Best for nonbank
- Guild Mortgage: Best for online experience
- HomeBridge: Best for low credit
- Caliber: Best for veterans
- PrimeLending: Best for fixer-uppers
- Wintrust Mortgage: Best for fixer-uppers
- Alterra: Best for nonbank