About Sacramento Real Estate
California's capital and one of the fastest-growing metros. Relative affordability and strong government/healthcare employment attract buyers priced out of coastal markets.
Sacramento Housing Market Overview
Median around $510,000—significantly cheaper than coastal metros. East Sacramento, Land Park, and Curtis Park have charming older homes. Natomas and Elk Grove offer new construction. Remote worker influx from the Bay Area has pushed prices higher but Sacramento remains middle-income accessible.
Mortgage Lending in Sacramento
Most purchases fall within conforming limits. FHA and VA loans are popular for first-time buyers and veterans. Many can buy with 3–5% down.
Self-Employed Mortgages in Sacramento
Restaurateurs, healthcare professionals, agricultural business owners, and remote tech workers make up Sacramento's self-employed community. Bank statement and P&L programs serve varied situations.
Investment Property Loans in Sacramento
One of California's strongest rental markets with favorable rent-to-price ratios. Student housing near Sacramento State and UC Davis creates consistent demand. DSCR loans are ideal for portfolio building.
Available Loan Programs in Sacramento
Our recommended broker offers the following mortgage programs for Sacramento homebuyers and homeowners:
Traditional financing backed by Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac. Lowe...
Government-insured with low down payments and flexible credi...
Zero down payment for eligible veterans, active duty, and su...
Replace your mortgage to lower your rate, change your term, ...
Investment property loans qualified by rental income — no pe...
Comprehensive mortgage solutions for business owners, freela...
Our Recommended Broker for Sacramento Mortgages?
Save Financial, Inc. is a trusted California mortgage brokerage (Sponsored by Save Financial, Inc. (NMLS #377740), DRE #01875766) with offices in Newport Beach and Marina del Rey. We have 45 years of combined experience and work with 20+ wholesale lenders to deliver competitive rates across 35 loan programs — including conventional, FHA, VA, jumbo, hard money, bank statement, DSCR, and no-income options. Their $500 price guarantee means if they can't beat another lender's written offer for your Sacramento mortgage, you receive $500.
Our recommended broker serves Sacramento borrowers 7 days a week, 9AM–8PM, from offices in Newport Beach and Marina del Rey. The team speaks English and Spanish.
What to Know Before Buying in Sacramento
Sacramento's median home price of $510,000 falls well within the $1,209,750 conforming limit, meaning every major loan program applies: FHA with 3.5% down ($17,850), conventional with 5% down ($25,500), VA with zero down for veterans, and CalHFA assistance for first-time buyers. Monthly payments on a $510,000 home with 5% down at current rates are approximately $3,341 including taxes and insurance — often comparable to or less than renting a similar property in the area.
Property taxes under Proposition 13 are approximately $5,610 annually with 2% annual increase caps. The Sacramento market rewards prepared buyers — properties in desirable neighborhoods receive multiple offers within 1-2 weeks of listing. Start with pre-approval from a licensed broker who can compare rates across 20+ wholesale lenders. This comparison shopping is free and typically saves 0.125-0.5% on the interest rate compared to going directly to a single retail bank.
Sacramento Real Estate Trends & Growth Potential
Home values in Sacramento have risen 3-5% annually per CoreLogic data. A $25,000 down payment on a $510,000 home that appreciates 4% yields roughly $20,000 in equity gain in year one — an 80% return on invested capital. This leverage makes homeownership in Sacramento a powerful wealth-building tool, especially for buyers using low-down-payment programs. Buyers relocating from higher-cost coastal markets find their budget goes significantly further here.
The investor landscape is favorable — rent-to-price ratios support DSCR loan qualification at 25% down, and cash-on-cash returns of 5-8% are achievable. Self-employed buyers make up a growing portion of Sacramento County's market, and bank statement and 1099 programs are commonly used. Whether you're a first-time buyer using CalHFA, a veteran leveraging VA benefits, or an investor building a rental portfolio, Sacramento offers accessible entry points across all strategies.