San Joaquin Valley, California
Madera County Mortgage Lender
Save Financial, Inc. is a California-licensed mortgage brokerage serving all of Madera County, from the valley cities of Madera and Chowchilla up into the Sierra foothills at Oakhurst, Coarsegold, and Bass Lake. The 2026 conforming loan limit in Madera County is $832,750, the FHA limit is $541,287, and the median home price is roughly $412,000. Home to about 161,000 residents, Madera County spans working farmland along Highway 99 and mountain communities at the south gate of Yosemite. Save Financial originates conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans alongside jumbo, DSCR, HELOC, and cash-out refinance options, and closes Madera County loans efficiently once documentation is complete.
About Madera County
Madera County stretches from the flat, irrigated San Joaquin Valley floor eastward into the Sierra Nevada, ending at the southern boundary of Yosemite National Park. Madera, the county seat and largest city, anchors an agricultural economy built on almonds, pistachios, grapes and Madera-appellation wine, dairy, and food processing; Chowchilla sits to the north along Highway 99. Climb Highway 41 and the landscape shifts to pine and oak around Oakhurst, Coarsegold, North Fork, and the resort community of Bass Lake, all feeding tourism to Yosemite's south entrance. The population is about 161,000, and with two incorporated cities plus a broad rural expanse, it is one of the larger and more varied markets among California's affordable counties.
Save Financial originates mortgages for buyers and homeowners across every part of Madera County. We are licensed by the California Department of Real Estate (DRE #01875766) and registered with NMLS (#377740). The county's split personality — valley tract homes on one side, foothill acreage with wells, septic, and wildfire ratings on the other — calls for a lender who understands both. We confirm insurance and property specifics early and close efficiently once documentation is complete.
Cities and communities we serve in Madera County
…and every other community throughout Madera County.
Recommended for Madera County
Loan programs that fit this market
FHA loans
3.5% down with credit scores from 580 — a strong fit for valley-floor homes in Madera and Chowchilla.
Learn more →USDA loans
Much of the county outside city limits is USDA-eligible — $0 down for qualifying rural and foothill buyers.
Learn more →First-time buyer programs
CalHFA MyHome and Dream For All down payment assistance for eligible Madera County buyers.
Learn more →Madera County loan limits and financing facts
| 2026 conforming loan limit (1-unit) | $832,750 |
|---|---|
| 2026 FHA loan limit (1-unit) | $541,287 |
| Median home price | $412,000 |
| Population | 161,000 |
| County seat | Madera |
| Region | San Joaquin Valley (Central Valley) |
| Statewide service | All 58 counties |
| Loans funded statewide | rated 4.9 stars across California families |
Real-world examples
Two example mortgage scenarios in Madera County
Here's what real Save Financial transactions look like in Madera County at today's rates. Numbers are illustrative; your actual quote depends on credit, income, and property specifics.
Scenario 1: FHA first-time buyer in Madera
Buyer profile: A first-time buyer earning $82,000/year purchasing a $412,000 home in the city of Madera
- Purchase price: $412,000 (median for Madera County)
- Down payment: 3.5% FHA minimum = $14,420
- Loan amount: $397,580 (FHA, under the $541,287 county limit)
- Interest rate: 6.20% APR (30-year fixed FHA)
- Principal & interest: $2,436/month
- Property tax: $378/month
- Insurance: $120/month
- FHA MIP: $182/month (life-of-loan with <10% down)
- Total monthly payment: ~$3,116
- DTI: 46% of $82K/year — qualifies under FHA's 50% DTI cap
Outcome: Save Financial layers CalHFA MyHome assistance and negotiates a seller credit, so the buyer closes with roughly $4,100 out of pocket.
Scenario 2: USDA $0-down purchase near Chowchilla
Buyer profile: An ag supervisor and a hospital tech earning combined $100,000/year buying outside the city limits
- Purchase price: $412,000
- Down payment: $0 (USDA Rural Development eligible area)
- Loan amount: $412,000 (USDA guaranteed)
- Interest rate: 6.30% APR (30-year fixed)
- Principal & interest: $2,551/month
- Property tax: $378/month
- Insurance: $115/month
- Total monthly payment: ~$3,044
- Out-of-pocket at closing: ~$10,300 (closing costs only, often covered by a seller credit)
Outcome: Save Financial verifies USDA eligibility on the exact rural address in about 60 seconds. With a negotiated 3% seller credit, the buyers close with little cash out of pocket.
Frequently asked questions about Madera County mortgages
What is the conforming loan limit in Madera County for 2026?
The 2026 conforming loan limit in Madera County is $832,750 for a one-unit property. Loans above this amount are jumbo loans, which mostly apply to larger Sierra-foothill and Bass Lake properties. Save Financial originates both conforming and jumbo loans throughout Madera County at wholesale pricing that often beats retail bank quotes.
What is the FHA loan limit in Madera County?
The 2026 FHA loan limit in Madera County is $541,287 for a one-unit property, the standard California floor. With the county median near $412,000, most homes in Madera and Chowchilla fit comfortably under the FHA ceiling with 3.5% down and credit scores from 580.
What is the median home price in Madera County?
The median home price in Madera County is approximately $412,000. Save Financial pre-approves buyers across the full range, from valley-floor homes in Madera and Chowchilla to foothill properties around Oakhurst, Coarsegold, and Bass Lake near the south gate of Yosemite.
Does Save Financial serve all of Madera County?
Yes. Save Financial is licensed in all 58 California counties including Madera County. We originate loans in the two incorporated cities, Madera and Chowchilla, plus foothill communities such as Oakhurst, Coarsegold, North Fork, and the Bass Lake area. We close loans efficiently when documentation is complete.
Can I qualify for a USDA loan in Madera County?
Yes — much of Madera County outside the Madera and Chowchilla city limits is eligible for USDA Rural Development $0-down financing, including many agricultural and foothill areas. Save Financial can check USDA eligibility for any specific Madera County address in about 60 seconds.
Do you lend on Sierra foothill and Yosemite-gateway homes in Madera County?
Yes. We regularly finance foothill homes around Oakhurst, Coarsegold, and Bass Lake, including properties on acreage or wells and septic. These areas carry wildfire ratings that affect insurance, so Save Financial confirms coverage early and builds realistic costs into your pre-approval.