Home loans in Santa Barbara County
Buying, refinancing or investing in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Lompoc and Goleta? One application, one soft pull, 130+ lenders.
Santa Barbara County at a glance
Santa Barbara County is a high-cost area, so its conforming limit of $941,850 sits above the $832,750 limit that applies in most of the country.
The one-unit conforming limit rose $28,750 from 2025's $913,100. The FHA limit rose $28,750 from $913,100.
Its FHA limit matches the conforming limit at $941,850, based on a median sale price of $819,000.
Many homes here sell near the conforming limit, so it pays to compare a high-balance conforming loan with a jumbo before you write an offer.
| Conforming | FHA | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 unit | $941,850 | $941,850 |
| 2 units | $1,205,750 | Higher limits apply. Ask us. |
| 3 units | $1,457,450 | |
| 4 units | $1,811,300 | |
| VA | No limit with full entitlement | |
Median sale price HUD used for Santa Barbara County: $819,000
Santa Barbara County by the numbers
HUD's median sale price for Santa Barbara County, $819,000, is about 8.3 times the median household income.
About 52% of occupied homes here are owned by the people living in them.
CalHFA's 2026 income limit for its first-time buyer loans in Santa Barbara County is $235,000.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates; HUD; CalHFA (effective June 30, 2026).
Loans that fit Santa Barbara County
Down payment help in Santa Barbara County
These programs can be paired with a loan we arrange. Funding changes often, so we confirm each one before you apply.
| Program | What it offers | Status |
|---|---|---|
| MyHome Assistance Program Statewide | Deferred down payment and closing cost help of up to 3.5% of the price, paired with a CalHFA first mortgage. | Open (no closure notice) |
| CalPLUS with ZIP Statewide | A CalHFA first mortgage paired with a junior loan for closing costs. | Open (no closure notice) |
| California Dream For All Statewide | Down payment help for first-generation buyers, repaid with a share of appreciation. Awarded by drawing. | Closed to new applicants |
| GSFA Platinum Statewide | Down payment and closing cost help of up to 5.5% of the loan amount. No first-time buyer requirement. | Open (no closure notice) |
We didn't find a county-run program for Santa Barbara County that we could confirm on an official page. Ask us and we'll check what's open when you're ready.
Status as stated on each program's official page, checked November 10, 2026. Programs have income, price and first-time buyer rules.
Buying a rental in Santa Barbara County
A DSCR loan qualifies a rental on its rent instead of your personal income. The lender compares the property's rent to its full monthly cost.
HUD's Fair Market Rents are a useful starting point. The lender uses the appraiser's rent estimate for the actual property.
| Unit size | HUD Fair Market Rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $2,479 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,711 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,106 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,990 |
| 4 bedrooms | $4,557 |
HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rents, effective October 1, 2026 (Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA MSA).
Property taxes and transfer tax
The median Santa Barbara County homeowner pays $5,103 a year in real estate taxes (Census). Under Proposition 13 the base rate is 1% of the purchase price, plus local assessments.
The county documentary transfer tax is $1.10 per $1,000 of the price.
Keeping your tax base
Under Proposition 19, homeowners 55 and older, severely disabled homeowners and wildfire or disaster victims can carry their property tax base to a replacement home anywhere in California, up to three times.
Licensed across California
Our office is in San Diego, and we close loans across California. Everything from application to e-signature happens online, and you can call or text Rafie directly.
Good to know
What is the conforming loan limit in Santa Barbara County for 2026?
$941,850 for a one-unit home, $1,205,750 for two units, $1,457,450 for three units and $1,811,300 for four units. That's up $28,750 from 2025.
What is the FHA loan limit in Santa Barbara County for 2026?
$941,850 for a one-unit home. Two- to four-unit properties have higher limits; ask us for yours.
What down payment assistance is available in Santa Barbara County?
Statewide, CalHFA's MyHome program and GSFA Platinum are listed as current. California Dream For All is closed to new applicants. We confirm funding before you apply (checked November 10, 2026).
What is the CalHFA income limit in Santa Barbara County?
$235,000 for 2026, effective June 30, 2026.
What does HUD list as fair market rent for a 2-bedroom in Santa Barbara County?
$3,106 a month for FY2027. For a DSCR loan, the lender uses the appraiser's rent estimate for the actual property.
How much are property taxes in Santa Barbara County?
The median homeowner pays $5,103 a year (Census). The base rate under Proposition 13 is 1% of the purchase price, plus local assessments.
Do VA loans have a limit in Santa Barbara County?
Veterans with full entitlement have no VA loan limit. If part of your entitlement is in use, the county conforming limit is used to work out what you can borrow with no down payment.
What is a jumbo loan in Santa Barbara County?
Any loan above $941,850 for a one-unit home. We shop jumbo loans with 130+ lenders too.
Do I have to live near San Diego to work with MTG Wholesale?
No. We're licensed throughout California and work with borrowers in Santa Barbara County by phone, text, email and e-signature.
2026 limits: Federal Housing Finance Agency (conforming) and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (FHA, CY2026). Limits apply to loans that close in 2026. Not an offer of credit; loan approval depends on the lender's guidelines.