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Today's Refinance Rates in California

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Current California Home Refinance Rates

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Refinance Rates Trend in California

Historical rates shown for context only. See full disclosures below and current rates in the table above. View Legal Disclosures

What Affects Mortgage Refinance Rates in California

California refinance rates reflect national lending conditions along with the details of your replacement mortgage. Your credit profile, loan-to-value, loan structure, property details and occupancy can affect the rate and terms available to you.

A refinance quote can differ from a purchase quote for the same borrower because the purpose and structure of the transaction are different. Compare the proposed new mortgage with the loan you already have, including its rate, term and costs.

The interest rate is the percentage charged for borrowing the principal. The annual percentage rate, or APR, is a broader annualized measure that includes the interest rate plus certain loan costs. APR can provide additional context when two refinance offers have different rates or upfront costs.

If you are buying rather than refinancing, compare California mortgage rates.

Types of Refinances Available in California

A rate-and-term refinance replaces your existing mortgage without taking cash out of the property. The replacement loan can change the rate, term or both.

A lower interest rate could reduce your monthly principal-and-interest payment, while changing the term can affect both the payment and how long you carry the mortgage. Compare those changes with the costs required to complete the refinance.

How long you expect to keep the new mortgage also affects the calculation. Use the refinance break-even calculator to compare the upfront costs with the expected monthly savings.

FHA and VA Refinance Options in California

If your current mortgage is FHA-backed, an FHA streamline refinance uses limited borrower credit documentation and underwriting to refinance an existing FHA-insured mortgage. An FHA simple refinance also replaces an existing FHA mortgage but uses an appraisal and credit-qualifying underwriting. HUD's FHA streamline refinance guidance covers the streamline requirements.

If your current mortgage is VA-backed, a VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan, or IRRRL, may help lower your monthly mortgage payment or make payments more stable by moving from an adjustable-rate loan to a fixed-rate loan. The VA's IRRRL guidance covers eligibility and program requirements.

Conforming Loan Limits for a California Refinance

California's conforming loan limits vary significantly by county. According to FHFA's 2026 conforming loan limits, the one-unit national baseline is $832,750 and the high-cost ceiling is $1,249,125.

California has 41 counties at the $832,750 baseline and 17 counties with higher one-unit limits. Riverside, Sacramento and San Bernardino counties use the baseline, while San Diego County has a $1,104,000 limit. Los Angeles and Orange counties use the $1,249,125 ceiling, as do several higher-cost Bay Area counties.

Other California counties fall between those figures. For example, the 2026 one-unit limit is $1,035,000 in Ventura County, $1,017,750 in Napa County and $994,750 in Monterey County. A mortgage below the applicable county limit still has to meet conventional mortgage requirements to qualify as conforming.

California Refinance FAQs

When Does Refinancing Make Sense in California?

Compare your existing mortgage with the proposed replacement loan, including the interest rate, monthly payment, new loan term and closing costs. The length of time you expect to keep the new mortgage affects whether any monthly savings have enough time to offset the upfront costs.

Is a $1 Million Refinance a Jumbo Loan in California?

It depends on the county. A $1 million one-unit refinance exceeds the $832,750 conforming limit in counties such as Riverside, Sacramento and San Bernardino. It remains below the 2026 limit in higher-cost counties such as Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego and San Francisco. Loan size is only one part of conforming eligibility, so the mortgage must also meet applicable conventional loan requirements.

Can I Refinance a VA Loan in California?

Yes. If your current mortgage is VA-backed, an IRRRL may be available to refinance it. The existing mortgage must be VA-backed, and VA and lender requirements apply to the new loan.

Where Can I Find Information About California Housing Assistance Programs?

The California Housing Finance Agency currently offers refinance programs in addition to its homebuyer programs. Its refinance options include conventional limited cash-out refinancing, refinancing for eligible Dream For All loans and FHA rate-and-term, simple and streamline refinances. Eligibility and program requirements vary.

Loan Officers in California

Taylor Weiner

Taylor Weiner

Loan Officer

NMLS ID# 263090

Alan Ben-Porat

Alan Ben-Porat

Loan Officer

NMLS ID# 39341

Joe Tishkoff

Joe Tishkoff

Senior Mortgage Advisor

NMLS ID# 240232

Rick Penn

Rick Penn

Loan Officer

NMLS ID# 1723143

Gino Fronti

Gino Fronti

EVP, Division President West & VP of Product for LOAi

NMLS ID# 256988

Scott Edwards

Scott Edwards

Loan Officer

NMLS ID# 1097143

Claudia Diaz

Claudia Diaz

Loan Officer

NMLS ID# 266149

Adriel Esparza

Adriel Esparza

Regional Vice President

NMLS ID# 237241

Josh Jarrard

Josh Jarrard

Loan Officer

NMLS ID# 234275

Dilza Herrod

Dilza Herrod

Loan Officer

NMLS ID# 1494202

Edgar Ibarra

Edgar Ibarra

Loan Officer

NMLS ID# 261963

Miguel Esersky

Miguel Esersky

Loan Officer

NMLS ID# 1630051

Tony Valdez

Tony Valdez

Loan Officer

NMLS ID# 448616

Chanai Santiago

Chanai Santiago

Loan Officer

NMLS ID# 1952651

Craig Barton

Craig Barton

Branch Manager

NMLS ID# 235952

Irma Arteaga

Irma Arteaga

Loan Officer

NMLS ID# 1526909

Richelle Gaarde

Richelle Gaarde

Loan Officer

NMLS ID# 2156187

All Loan Officers in California

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