California
VA Loans in California
The VA Loan is one of the most powerful tools available exclusively for military families and veterans. In California, veterans and active-duty military have been taking advantage of the benefits of the VA Loan in cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, and across the state.
The cost of homes across the United States has been steadily increasing in recent years. With a $0 down payment requirement, no PMI, lower interest rates, and a more relaxed credit score requirement, the VA Loan is making home ownership a reality for more military families and veterans in California now than ever before.
Median Sale Price of Homes in California*
|
Los Angeles |
$945,500 |
|
San Diego |
$825,000 |
|
San Jose |
$1,375,000 |
|
San Francisco |
$1,490,000 |
|
Fresno |
$360,000 |
|
Sacramento |
$485,000 |
|
California Statewide Average |
$778,000 |
|---|
*Data pulled from Redfin (April 2022)
Property Taxes in California
In the state of California, property taxes are below the national average of 1.07% and are currently set at 0.73%, according to SmartAsset. Property taxes are due in full by November 1 every year and there are a few exemptions available to homeowners including significant savings for veterans, disabled veterans, disaster relief, and in family transfer circumstances where homeowners receive a property from their children or parents.
VA Disability in California
Common property tax exemptions are reserved for veterans, disabled veterans, seniors over the age of 65, and more. Since these exemptions can vary by county and state and often have strict qualification standards, not every veteran or homeowner qualifies, but those that do are able to reap the benefits of significant savings.
The state of California offers full property tax exemptions for eligible veterans (or surviving spouses) if the assessed value of their home is not more than $100,000 (may be more due to inflation). Another way to take advantage of full property tax exemptions in California is a low-income exemption where the assessed value of the home is not more than $150,000 (may be more due to inflation) and the income is not more than $64,337 (may be more due to inflation). It is also important to note that a disabled veteran with a 100% disability status can get up to $165,000 deducted from the value of their home, which lowers their tax liability.
Since these rates can vary based on location (i.e., exemptions in Los Angeles may be different from those in San Diego, San Francisco, or Fresno), you’ll want to contact your local municipal tax assessor’s office.
Insurance Programs in California
Natural disasters can happen anytime and are often unexpected or occur suddenly which makes it critical that you and your family are sufficiently covered. The state of California is often considered one that is most prone to natural disasters as it experiences around a dozen every year. The most common natural disasters in California that homeowners are insured against include earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, landslides, and wildfires.
Since California is one of largest states in the US in area, the topography varies drastically throughout the state which means the type of coverage you may want to have in San Francisco will be different from San Diego. The best way to ensure you’re getting the best coverage for your location; we recommend you consult with a licensed insurance company.
Military Presence in California
California is home to 32 military bases that are spread out across the state with the majority of them located near the coastline and larger cities. Since California has so many military bases, there are thousands of veterans who call the state home.
VA Home Loan Volume in 2021 in California*
|
Total Loans |
141,302 |
|
Average Loan Amount |
$458,361 |
|
Total Loan Amount (ALL) |
$64,767,355,221 |
|
Total Purchase Loans |
28,014 |
|
Total Purchase Loans % |
19.83% |
|
Total IRRRL Loans |
92,718 |
|
Total IRRRL Loans % |
65.62% |
|
Total Cash-Out Loans |
20,570 |
|
Total Cash-Out Loans % |
14.56% |
*Data pulled from the Department of Veterans Affairs (April 2022)
FAQ’s about VA Loans in California
How do I buy a house in California? The best way to get started is to give us a call or fill out this form to get started!
How do I find more information about property taxes and exemptions for veterans in California? Click here to read more details regarding major property tax exemptions in every state.
What are the average interest rates in California? Interest rates for VA Loans are often lower than the national average rates for conventional loans. Click here to learn more about interest rates .