California VA Loans
In California, homeownership is a dream for many people, but not everyone has access to a loan program as great as the VA home loan. So whether you are looking to settle down in the sprawling hillsides or sunny beaches, you’ll be thrilled with your new home.
With the average listing price of a home in California landing at $716,909, the VA loan’s signature $0-money-down benefit is a considerable advantage for California homebuyers.
How to get a VA Loan in California
VA loans are made by private lenders and guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Because private lenders make the loans and not the VA, you need to find a lender licensed in the state you plan to purchase or refinance.
For example, if you're purchasing a home in Temecula, CA, you'll need to find a lender licensed in California to do the loan.
See also: VA Loan Eligibility Requirements
California VA Loan Limits
VA borrowers in California with their full VA loan entitlement are not restricted by VA loan limits. This means you can borrow as much as a lender is willing to lend without needing a down payment.
However, Veterans without their full VA loan entitlement are still bound to California’s VA loan limits.
California VA Loan Limits by County for 2023
| County | Loan Limit |
|---|---|
| Alameda County | $1,089,300 |
| Contra Costa County | $1,089,300 |
| El Dorado County | $763,600 |
| Los Angeles County | $1,089,300 |
| Marin County | $1,089,300 |
| Monterey County | $915,400 |
| Napa County | $1,017,750 |
| Orange County | $1,089,300 |
| Placer County | $763,600 |
| Sacramento County | $763,600 |
| San Benito County | $1,089,300 |
| San Diego County | $977,500 |
| San Francisco County | $1,089,300 |
| San Luis Obispo County | $911,950 |
| San Mateo County | $1,089,300 |
| Santa Barbara County | $805,000 |
| Santa Clara County | $1,089,300 |
| Santa Cruz County | $1,089,300 |
| Sonoma County | $861,350 |
| Ventura County | $948,750 |
| Yolo County | $763,600 |
| All other areas | $726,200 |
Property Taxes in California
Another consideration for VA buyers in California is property taxes. For certain VA buyers, there are exemptions.
You may be eligible for a property tax exemption in California if you meet one of the following conditions:
- Possible exemption of up to $4,000 in value if you are a Veteran who owns a limited amount of property, such as $5,000 or less if you are single and $10,000 or less if you are married.
- If you are qualified Veterans, the basic Disabled Veterans’ Exemption on property tax on the primary place of residence can be up to $100,000 or a low-income exemption of up to $150,000.
If you are required to pay property tax in California, the American Community Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau estimates you may pay the following in each county:
| County | Property Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| Alameda County | 0.68% |
| Alpine County | 0.49% |
| Amador County | 0.57% |
| Butte County | 0.58% |
| Calaveras County | 0.63% |
| Colusa County | 0.51% |
| Contra Costa County | 0.71% |
| Del Norte County | 0.59% |
| El Dorado County | 0.62% |
| Fresno County | 0.65% |
| Glenn County | 0.59% |
| Humboldt County | 0.51% |
| Imperial County | 0.7% |
| Inyo County | 0.49% |
| Kern County | 0.8% |
| Kings County | 0.61% |
| Lake County | 0.62% |
| Lassen County | 0.57% |
| Los Angeles County | 0.59% |
| Madera County | 0.59% |
| Marin County | 0.63% |
| Mariposa County | 0.53% |
| Mendocino County | 0.49% |
| Merced County | 0.65% |
| Modoc County | 0.6% |
| Mono County | 0.48% |
| Monterey County | 0.51% |
| Napa County | 0.58% |
| Nevada County | 0.61% |
| Orange County | 0.56% |
| Placer County | 0.8% |
| Plumas County | 0.51% |
| Riverside County | 0.8% |
| Sacramento County | 0.68% |
| San Benito County | 0.69% |
| San Bernardino County | 0.63% |
| San Diego County | 0.61% |
| San Francisco County | 0.55% |
| San Joaquin County | 0.73% |
| San Luis Obispo County | 0.58% |
| San Mateo County | 0.56% |
| Santa Barbara County | 0.51% |
| Santa Clara County | 0.67% |
| Santa Cruz County | 0.56% |
| Shasta County | 0.6% |
| Sierra County | 0.46% |
| Siskiyou County | 0.52% |
| Solano County | 0.69% |
| Sonoma County | 0.6% |
| Stanislaus County | 0.66% |
| Sutter County | 0.71% |
| Tehama County | 0.54% |
| Trinity County | 0.4% |
| Tulare County | 0.63% |
| Tuolumne County | 0.53% |
| Ventura County | 0.59% |
| Yolo County | 0.69% |
| Yuba County | 0.7% |
How VA Loans Work in California
View the graphic below to learn more about how VA loans work in California.
