Northern Sierra
Plumas County Mortgage Lender
Save Financial, Inc. is a California-licensed mortgage brokerage serving all of Plumas County, including Quincy, Portola, Chester, and the Lake Almanor and Graeagle communities of the northern Sierra Nevada. The 2026 conforming loan limit in Plumas County is $832,750, the FHA limit is $541,287, and the current median home price is $350,000. With a population near 19,000 spread across forested mountain valleys and along the Feather River, Plumas County is one of the most affordable markets in the Sierra, and buyers here lean heavily on FHA, VA, and USDA loans alongside conventional, jumbo, DSCR, HELOC, and cash-out refinance options. Save Financial closes loans in Plumas County efficiently once documentation is complete.
About Plumas County
Plumas County sits high in the northern Sierra Nevada, a landscape of pine forests, the headwaters of the Feather River, and the wide alpine expanse of Lake Almanor. The county seat is Quincy, an unincorporated town in the American Valley that serves as the government and services hub, while Portola along the Feather River is the county's only incorporated city. Chester anchors the Lake Almanor basin to the north, and resort-flavored Graeagle draws golfers and second-home owners to the eastern edge of the county. The population is only about 19,000, making this one of California's quieter, more remote regions.
Housing here is defined by affordability and by the outdoors: cabins, ranch-style homes, and lakefront properties priced far below the California average, in a county that is almost entirely rural. Save Financial originates mortgages for buyers and homeowners across every Plumas community. We are licensed by the California Department of Real Estate (DRE #01875766) and registered with NMLS (#377740), and we close Plumas County loans efficiently when documentation is complete.
Cities and communities we serve in Plumas County
…and every other community throughout Plumas County.
Recommended for Plumas County
Loan programs that fit this market
USDA loans
Nearly all of Plumas County is USDA Rural Development eligible — $0 down financing for qualifying buyers.
Learn more →FHA loans
3.5% down with credit from 580 — and with a $350,000 median, the $541,287 FHA limit is rarely a constraint.
Learn more →VA loans
$0-down financing for veterans across the northern Sierra, with no monthly mortgage insurance.
Learn more →Plumas County loan limits and financing facts
Plumas County's 2026 FHA limit of $541,287 is the national FHA floor — the baseline ceiling HUD applies to counties whose median sale prices fall below the threshold for a higher limit. Unlike the elevated-value counties elsewhere in the Sierra, Plumas home values are affordable enough that the floor applies, and with a countywide median around $350,000 that floor is rarely a limiting factor. A buyer could finance a home nearly $190,000 above the county median and still stay inside FHA. The bigger financing story here is USDA: because almost the entire county is classified as rural, $0-down USDA loans are widely available to income-eligible buyers.
| 2026 conforming loan limit (1-unit) | $832,750 |
|---|---|
| 2026 FHA loan limit (1-unit) | $541,287 |
| Median home price | $350,000 |
| Population | 19,000 |
| County seat | Quincy |
| Region | Northern Sierra |
| Statewide service | All 58 counties |
| Loans funded statewide | rated 4.9 stars across California families |
Real-world examples
Two example mortgage scenarios in Plumas County
Here's what real Save Financial transactions look like in Plumas 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 Quincy
Buyer profile: A first-time buyer earning $70,000/year purchasing a $350,000 home in Quincy or Portola
- Purchase price: $350,000 (median for Plumas County)
- Down payment: 3.5% FHA minimum = $12,250
- Loan amount: $337,750 (FHA, far under the $541,287 county limit)
- Interest rate: 6.20% APR (30-year fixed FHA)
- Principal & interest: $2,069/month
- Property tax: $292/month
- Insurance: $130/month
- FHA MIP: $155/month (life-of-loan with <10% down)
- Total monthly payment: ~$2,646
- DTI: 45% of $70K/year — qualifies under FHA's 50% DTI cap
Outcome: Affordability is Plumas's advantage — even on a modest income, the median home fits comfortably inside FHA limits and DTI. Save Financial layers CalHFA MyHome assistance and a seller credit, so the buyer closes with roughly $3,500 out of pocket.
Scenario 2: USDA $0-down purchase near Lake Almanor
Buyer profile: A forest service employee and a nurse earning combined $80,000/year buying near Chester
- Purchase price: $340,000
- Down payment: $0 (USDA Rural Development eligible — nearly all of the county qualifies)
- Loan amount: $340,000 (USDA guaranteed)
- Interest rate: 6.30% APR (30-year fixed)
- Principal & interest: $2,105/month
- Property tax: $283/month
- Insurance: $160/month (higher for forested wildfire zones)
- Total monthly payment: ~$2,573
- Out-of-pocket at closing: ~$8,500 (closing costs only, often covered by seller credit)
Outcome: Save Financial verifies USDA eligibility on the specific Chester-area address in 60 seconds — nearly the entire county qualifies. The buyers close with virtually no cash to close after negotiating a seller credit.
Frequently asked questions about Plumas County mortgages
What is the conforming loan limit in Plumas County for 2026?
The 2026 conforming loan limit in Plumas County is $832,750 for a one-unit property. Loans above this amount are jumbo loans. Save Financial originates both conforming and jumbo loans throughout Plumas County, with wholesale pricing that may differ from retail bank pricing quotes.
What is the FHA loan limit in Plumas County?
The 2026 FHA loan limit in Plumas County is $541,287 for a one-unit property — the national FHA floor that applies to most rural California counties. FHA loans require just 3.5% down with credit scores from 580, and with the county's affordable median that ceiling leaves generous room for Quincy and Portola first-time buyers.
What is the median home price in Plumas County?
The current median home price in Plumas County is approximately $350,000, one of the more affordable markets in the northern Sierra. Save Financial pre-approves buyers across the full price range, from starter cabins in Quincy to lakefront homes near Lake Almanor.
Does Save Financial serve all of Plumas County?
Yes. Save Financial is licensed in all 58 California counties including Plumas County. We originate loans for buyers and homeowners in every community including Quincy, Portola, Chester, and Graeagle. We close loans efficiently when documentation is complete.
How long does it take to close a mortgage in Plumas County?
Save Financial closes Plumas County mortgages efficiently once documentation is complete — meaningfully faster than the national average. We've closed many California loans, with 400+ verified reviews across Google, Yelp, and Zillow.
Can I qualify for a USDA loan in Plumas County?
Yes — nearly all of Plumas County is eligible for USDA Rural Development $0-down financing, including Quincy, Chester, Graeagle, and the Lake Almanor communities. Save Financial can check USDA eligibility for any specific Plumas County property address in 60 seconds.