Orange County, California
The OC mortgage broker who knows the county.
Family-owned since 2005, Choice Home Mortgage helps Orange County buyers and homeowners find the right loan — shopping hundreds of lenders, guided by the owner herself.
Orange County financing, done by people who live it.
Orange County isn’t an average market. Prices run well above the national norm, neighborhoods vary block to block, and the loan that works for an Irvine condo isn’t the loan that works for a Newport Beach estate. Since 2005, Choice Home Mortgage has helped OC families navigate exactly that — and we’re a family-owned broker, not a bank, so we shop hundreds of lenders to match each home and each borrower.
Because OC is a high-cost area, the loan limits here are higher than most of the country. For 2026, the one-unit conforming baseline is $832,750, with a high-balance ceiling of $1,249,125. Anything above that ceiling is a jumbo loan — a space we work in constantly, because so many OC homes land there.
From the first call to the keys, owner Esther Buede handles your loan personally. She’s the named expert behind our five-star reviews — not a rotating call-center queue. That’s the difference between a broker who knows your county and a 1-800 number that doesn’t.
What you get with a local broker.
Local OC expertise
We've financed Orange County homes since 2005 — we know the cities, the prices, and the programs that work here.
Hundreds of lenders shopped
As a broker, we put many lenders in competition for your loan instead of selling one bank's product.
High-balance & jumbo ready
OC prices run high — we're fluent in high-balance and jumbo financing above the conforming limit.
Down-payment assistance
We work with hundreds of down-payment assistance programs across California — including local OC options.
Owner-handled
Owner Esther Buede guides your loan personally — the named expert behind our five-star reviews.
Honest, no pressure
We'll tell you the right program for your situation — even if it's not the biggest loan you'd qualify for.
Wherever you are in OC, there's a program for it.
We serve buyers and homeowners across Fountain Valley, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Tustin, Newport Beach, and Orange — by phone and online, on your schedule. See all the cities we serve →
And whatever your scenario, there’s usually a loan for it: FHA for lower down payments and flexible credit, conventional for strong-credit buyers, jumbo for OC’s higher-priced homes, VA for those who qualify, non-QM for self-employed and unique income, and reverse mortgages for homeowners 62+. Ready to start? Buying, refinancing, or just exploring — begin here.
Orange County mortgage questions, answered.
What are the conforming loan limits in Orange County for 2026?
Because Orange County is a high-cost area, the 2026 one-unit conforming baseline is $832,750, with a high-balance ceiling of $1,249,125. Loan amounts above $1,249,125 are considered jumbo. We help you figure out which bracket your purchase falls into and which loan structure fits best.
Do I need a jumbo loan to buy in Orange County?
Not always. Many OC homes can be financed within the conforming or high-balance limits (up to $1,249,125 for a one-unit home). Above that ceiling you're in jumbo territory, which has its own guidelines. Because we're a broker, we shop both conforming and jumbo lenders to find the right fit for your price point.
Which Orange County cities do you serve?
We serve buyers and homeowners across Orange County, including Fountain Valley, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Tustin, Newport Beach, and Orange. We work with you by phone and online on your schedule — you don't need to come to an office.
Is there down-payment help for Orange County buyers?
Yes. We work with hundreds of down-payment assistance programs across California, including statewide options like CalHFA and local OC programs such as Santa Ana's My First Home and Anaheim assistance. Which one fits depends on your city, income, and the home — we'll walk you through the real options for your situation.
Why use a local broker instead of a big bank?
A bank can only offer its own loans. As a broker, Choice Home Mortgage shops hundreds of lenders against each other for your file — and because we've worked in Orange County since 2005, we know which lenders fit OC's higher-priced market. You also get one owner, Esther Buede, handling your loan start to finish instead of a call-center queue.
Is there a mortgage broker near me in Orange County?
Yes — Choice Home Mortgage serves buyers and homeowners right where you are across Orange County, from Fountain Valley and Santa Ana to Irvine, Anaheim, and the coast. You don't have to drive to an office: we work with you by phone and online, on your schedule, and the owner handles your loan personally. If you've been searching for a mortgage broker or lender near you in OC, that's us — call (949) 522-7310 or apply online any time.
Let's finance your OC home.
One call with the owner — local, honest, and no pressure. We'll tell you which program fits your Orange County purchase and shop the lenders for you.