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El Cajon sits in San Diego County, where the median household income of $102,285 supports steady home purchases. San Diego County just completed its biggest year of low-income housing construction, signaling renewed building activity across the region.
The conforming loan limit for 2026 is $1,104,000, covering most single-family purchases here. Community Mortgages bring local expertise to the underwriting process, with faster decisions than many national lenders.
620
Minimum FICO
3% to 20%
Down Payment Range
30-45 days
Typical Close Time
$102,285
County Median Income
0.25–0.5%
Rate Premium vs. Conventional
Community Mortgages in El Cajon
Community Mortgages typically require a 620 FICO minimum, though 640+ opens better pricing. Down payments range from 3% to 20%, depending on property type and occupancy.
At the county's median income of $102,285, buyers can support a mortgage in the $400,000 to $500,000 range comfortably. Self-employed borrowers and non-traditional income sources get real consideration here, not automatic rejection.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect community mortgages eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in El Cajon.
El Cajon sits in San Diego County, where the median household income of $102,285 supports steady home purchases. San Diego County just completed its biggest year of low-income housing construction, signaling renewed building activity across the region.
The conforming loan limit for 2026 is $1,104,000, covering most single-family purchases here. Community Mortgages bring local expertise to the underwriting process, with faster decisions than many national lenders.
Community Mortgages typically require a 620 FICO minimum, though 640+ opens better pricing. Down payments range from 3% to 20%, depending on property type and occupancy.
Community Mortgages operate through broker networks across California, not as a single national lender. This means your application moves through local underwriters who know San Diego's market, not a distant processing center.
Broker-based lending typically closes in 30 to 45 days for conventional loans. Portfolio lenders and community banks often have more flexibility on credit overlays than agency-backed programs, making them useful when conventional falls short.
Community Mortgages shine when a buyer has solid income but imperfect credit or non-traditional employment. At $102,285 county median income, a self-employed contractor or recent business owner often qualifies here when conventional lenders say no.
The trade-off is rate: community mortgages typically run 0.25% to 0.5% higher than conforming conventional. That premium buys flexibility, not just a loan — it's worth it when the alternative is waiting two more years to rebuild credit.
Conventional loans require 620+ FICO and stricter income documentation, but they carry lower rates. Community Mortgages accept 620 FICO with more flexibility on what counts as income, trading rate for speed and certainty.
FHA loans go down to 580 FICO with 3.5% down, but they carry lifetime mortgage insurance. Community Mortgages skip the insurance if you put 5% down, saving money over the life of the loan.
Galū Cafe, a popular Chula Vista spot, is opening a sister location in City Heights this fall. That kind of dining and retail expansion signals neighborhood investment that supports long-term home values for El Cajon buyers.
San Diego is navigating new state housing laws that require high-rise development near transit. More housing supply typically means less price pressure on single-family homes, a tailwind for buyers in established neighborhoods like El Cajon.
Community Mortgages typically start at 620 FICO, lower than conventional's 640+ floor. Rates improve at 660 and above, but 620 gets you approved when traditional lenders won't.
Yes. Self-employed income is accepted with two years of tax returns and profit-and-loss statements. Community lenders understand business income better than national banks do.
Typical timeline is 30 to 45 days from application to closing. Broker-based underwriting moves quicker than big-bank processing centers.
Mortgage insurance applies at less than 20% down, same as conventional. At 5% down or higher, you avoid FHA's lifetime insurance premium.
Community rates run 0.25% to 0.5% higher than conventional conforming. The premium buys flexibility on credit and income — useful when conventional says no.