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in Loma Linda, CA
Loma Linda sits in San Bernardino County, home to a large medical and military-adjacent community. Both loan types show up constantly in deals here.
The right choice depends on your service history, credit profile, and how much cash you have. These two loans solve different problems.
Conventional loans are not backed by the government. Lenders take the full risk, so they hold borrowers to tighter standards.
You typically need a 620 credit score and at least 3% down. Put less than 20% down and you'll pay private mortgage insurance (PMI) monthly.
VA loans are guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Eligible veterans and active-duty members can buy with zero down and no PMI.
The trade-off is a VA funding fee — a one-time cost rolled into the loan. First-time users pay 2.15% of the loan amount.
Bankrate shows rates at 6.19% as of March 2026 — VA rates typically run slightly lower than conventional. Rates vary by borrower profile and market conditions.
VA has no loan limit for eligible borrowers with full entitlement. Conventional loans cap at the conforming limit for San Bernardino County.
If you have VA eligibility, it almost always wins. Zero down plus no PMI is a combination conventional simply cannot match.
Conventional makes sense if you lack military service, have a strong down payment saved, or want to avoid the VA funding fee on a high-balance loan.
Yes. VA entitlement can be restored after you pay off a prior VA loan. Many buyers use it multiple times.
Conventional often closes slightly faster. VA requires a VA appraisal, which can add a few days.
The VA sets no official minimum, but most lenders require at least 620. Some go lower — we shop lenders to find your best fit.
Usually yes. Skipping PMI saves more over time than the funding fee costs. Run the numbers with your broker.
Yes. Putting 5% down drops the fee to 1.5%. Putting 10% down drops it to 1.25%.
Non-military medical workers use conventional. Military-affiliated medical staff should check VA eligibility first — it's almost always the stronger loan.