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Hollister sits in San Benito County, one of California's more affordable inland markets. That makes FHA a serious option here — not just a fallback.
FHA's low down payment structure fits first-time buyers in this area well. You don't need 20% saved to get into a home in Hollister.
580 (3.5% down)
Min Credit Score
3.5%
Min Down Payment
1.75% of loan
Upfront MIP
Up to 57%
Max DTI
Primary only
Occupancy
FHA Loans in Hollister
You need a 580 credit score for the 3.5% down option. Drop below 580 and you're looking at 10% down — lenders get strict there.
Debt-to-income ratio matters too. FHA allows up to 57% DTI with strong compensating factors, but most approvals land under 50%.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect fha loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Hollister.
Hollister sits in San Benito County, one of California's more affordable inland markets. That makes FHA a serious option here — not just a fallback.
FHA's low down payment structure fits first-time buyers in this area well. You don't need 20% saved to get into a home in Hollister.
You need a 580 credit score for the 3.5% down option. Drop below 580 and you're looking at 10% down — lenders get strict there.
Most retail banks offer FHA but price it conservatively. Wholesale lenders we access often beat those rates by a meaningful margin.
We shop your file across 200+ lenders. In a smaller market like Hollister, that access matters more than people expect.
FHA has two mortgage insurance premiums — upfront and monthly. A lot of buyers focus on rate and ignore the MIP cost. Don't do that.
Upfront MIP is 1.75% of the loan amount. Monthly MIP sticks around for the life of the loan if you put less than 10% down.
USDA loans are worth a hard look in San Benito County. Parts of the area qualify for USDA's zero-down program — that beats FHA's 3.5%.
If you're a veteran, VA loans win outright. No down payment, no MIP at all. FHA makes sense when VA and USDA aren't on the table.
San Benito County has its own FHA loan limits set annually by HUD. Those limits define the max you can borrow with FHA here.
Hollister's housing stock includes older properties. FHA appraisers flag health and safety issues — know that before you write an offer on a fixer.
HUD sets county-specific limits each year. Check the current HUD table or ask us — limits change and directly affect your max purchase price.
Yes, FHA covers 2-4 unit properties. You must live in one unit as your primary residence.
Not if you put less than 10% down — it stays for the loan's life. Put 10% or more down and MIP drops after 11 years.
Most FHA loans close in 30-45 days. A clean file with no appraisal issues moves faster.
Chapter 7 requires a 2-year wait after discharge. Chapter 13 may qualify after 12 months of on-time payments with trustee approval.
It can be. The market is more accessible than coastal California. FHA's flexibility on credit and down payment fits many buyers here.