Buying on the Westside
Santa Monica and Westside homes usually require jumbo financing. Buyers should get pre-approved and shop multiple jumbo lenders; owners can tap equity with a HELOC or home equity loan while keeping a low first-mortgage rate.
Because Westside prices sit well above conforming limits, jumbo expertise matters. As a broker we compare jumbo lenders to keep rates and down payments competitive for LA buyers.
For current owners
Westside owners with substantial equity can fund renovations or investments via a HELOC or home equity loan. Our Marina del Rey office serves Santa Monica and the greater Westside.
The Westside financing reality
Santa Monica and the surrounding Westside — Brentwood, Mar Vista, Venice, Pacific Palisades — sit well above conforming loan limits, so most purchases here are jumbo. Jumbo guidelines vary more between lenders than conforming loans do, which makes shopping essential: down-payment requirements, reserve rules, and rates can differ significantly for the same borrower. As a broker we compare multiple jumbo lenders at once, and we work with bank-statement jumbo options for the many self-employed professionals and business owners on the Westside.
Tapping Westside equity without losing your rate
Longtime Westside owners often sit on substantial equity and a low first-mortgage rate they don’t want to give up. The answer is a second lien — a HELOC for flexible access or a home equity loan for a fixed lump sum — both of which leave your first mortgage (and its rate) intact. That equity can fund a renovation, an investment purchase, or a child’s down payment. Our Marina del Rey office serves Santa Monica and the greater Westside and can structure the right tool for your goal.
Frequently asked questions
Do Westside homes need a jumbo loan?
Usually — prices typically exceed conforming limits. We shop multiple jumbo lenders for the best terms.
Do I need a jumbo loan to buy in Santa Monica?
Almost always — Westside prices typically exceed the conforming limit. We shop multiple jumbo lenders to keep your rate and down payment competitive.
How can I use my equity without refinancing my low rate?
A HELOC or home equity loan is a second lien that leaves your first mortgage and its rate untouched while giving you access to your equity.
How can I tap equity without losing my low rate?
Use a HELOC or home equity loan — both are second liens that keep your first mortgage in place.
Which office serves Santa Monica?
Our Marina del Rey office (310-759-4757) serves Santa Monica and the Westside.
Save Financial, Inc. — NMLS #377740, DRE #01875766. Equal Housing Opportunity. Figures are illustrative for 2026 and not an offer of credit or a guarantee of rates or approval.