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Lemon Grove sits in San Diego County, where the median household income is $102,285. That income supports homes across a wide price range here.
Self-employed buyers often have the strongest case for ITIN financing. Your business income, documented through 1099s and bank deposits, is what lenders examine. No W-2 requirement means your actual earning power is what counts, not a payroll stub.
620–640
Minimum Credit Score
10% to 20%
Typical Down Payment
45–60 days
Underwriting Timeline
2 years
Tax Returns Required
ITIN Loans in Lemon Grove
ITIN loans require a valid Individual Taxpayer Identification Number and two years of filed tax returns. Credit score floors run 620 to 640 depending on the lender.
San Diego County's median household income of $102,285 translates to roughly $8,500 monthly gross. That income level supports homes in the $450,000 to $550,000 range with conventional debt ratios.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect itin loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Lemon Grove.
Lemon Grove sits in San Diego County, where the median household income is $102,285. That income supports homes across a wide price range here.
Self-employed buyers often have the strongest case for ITIN financing. Your business income, documented through 1099s and bank deposits, is what lenders examine. No W-2 requirement means your actual earning power is what counts, not a payroll stub.
ITIN loans require a valid Individual Taxpayer Identification Number and two years of filed tax returns. Credit score floors run 620 to 640 depending on the lender.
ITIN lending in California is concentrated among portfolio lenders and credit unions that hold loans in-house. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac do not purchase ITIN loans, so you won't see them sold to the secondary market.
Underwriting takes 45 to 60 days because every tax return is reviewed manually. Bank statements go back 24 months. No automated approval process exists — a human underwriter verifies self-employment income line by line.
ITIN loans make sense in Lemon Grove when you're self-employed and your tax returns show solid income but you lack an SSN. The 10% down entry point beats FHA's 3.5% when your credit is strong — you avoid mortgage insurance entirely.
They don't make sense if you have an SSN and W-2 income. Conventional loans will always be cheaper. ITIN is the tool for a specific borrower: documented self-employment, no SSN, and the patience for a longer close.
FHA loans accept ITIN borrowers too, but they require only 3.5% down and mortgage insurance for life. ITIN loans ask for 10% down but skip insurance entirely. Over 30 years, the insurance cost on FHA often exceeds the rate premium on ITIN.
Conventional loans are cheaper if you have an SSN and W-2 income. ITIN is the path when conventional isn't available to you. The choice isn't ITIN versus the cheapest option — it's ITIN versus nothing.
Lemon Grove is a working-class community in South County. Many residents are self-employed in construction, landscaping, and small retail. ITIN loans fit the local economy because they're built for the people who live here.
The area's affordability relative to central San Diego means your down payment goes further. A 10% down payment on a $500,000 home is $50,000 — achievable for established self-employed borrowers. That's the Lemon Grove buyer ITIN loans are designed for.
No. An ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is the only ID required. You must file tax returns with that ITIN for two years. Lenders verify income through your filed returns and bank statements, not SSN-based credit bureaus.
Two years of filed tax returns (1040s with Schedules C or E). Bank statements for 24 months showing deposits that match your tax return income. Some lenders also accept profit-and-loss statements. W-2s are not required.
Typically 10% to 20%. With strong credit (680+) and six months of reserves, you may qualify at 10%. Weaker credit or limited reserves may require 15% to 20%. No ITIN lender goes below 10%.
45 to 60 days. Every tax return is reviewed by hand. Bank statements go back 24 months. No automated approval exists. The timeline is longer than conventional, but the rate premium reflects that cost.
Some lenders go down to 620, but it's rare. Below 620, ITIN lending closes. FHA at 3.5% down becomes your alternative. Call to discuss your specific score — a few points can open different lender options.