Mortgage Lender in Lawndale, CA
Serving Lawndale homebuyers since 1995, Choice One Mortgage helps first-time buyers, families, and investors finance homes in the city that calls itself the “Heart of the South Bay.”
- Free Loan Analysis
- No Obligation
- 30+ Years Experience
Lawndale is a small city of about 31,000 people packed into roughly two square miles between Redondo Beach, Hawthorne, and Torrance. The 405 freeway runs through it, the beach is about three miles west, and the South Bay Galleria and El Camino College are just outside the city limits. It is one of the most affordable places to own a home this close to the coast.
Single-family homes in Lawndale typically sell from about $750,000 to $1 million. A large share of the lots have two houses or a duplex, and those generally sell from $950,000 to $1.4 million. Condos and townhomes run from about $500,000 to $750,000.
At Choice One Mortgage, Bill Lewis has been helping South Bay buyers and homeowners since 1995. As a mortgage broker with access to dozens of wholesale lenders, we compare programs and pricing for you, whether you are buying your first home, moving up, refinancing, or adding a rental property.
Call (310) 614-5920 for a free, no-obligation consultation tailored to your situation.
Talk to a Local Mortgage Expert
Free Loan Analysis • No Obligation • 30+ Years Experience
Prefer email? Send us a messageThe Lawndale Housing Market
Much of Lawndale was built in the 1940s and 1950s with small single-story homes on deep lots. Over the years many owners added a second home at the rear, so two-on-a-lot properties are a signature of the local market. For buyers, that means a chance to live in one home and rent the other, or to house extended family on the same property.
Financing a two-unit property is different from financing a single-family home. Loan limits are higher, down payment requirements can differ, and lenders will count part of the rent toward your income. FHA, VA, and conventional loans all allow two-unit purchases when you live in one unit. Current limits are on our county loan limits page.
Because Lawndale borders higher-priced Redondo Beach and Torrance, buyers who are priced out of those cities often land here and find they give up very little in location.
Lawndale Neighborhoods We Serve
North Lawndale
North of Manhattan Beach Boulevard toward Hawthorne, this area has a mix of single-family homes and two-on-a-lot properties with quick access to the 405. Prices are among the most approachable in the city, and FHA financing is common.
Central Lawndale
The blocks around Hawthorne Boulevard, the civic center, and the library form the center of town. Homes here are close to shops and bus lines. Buyers find original bungalows as well as newer townhome developments.
West Lawndale
West of Hawthorne Boulevard, the city meets north Redondo Beach. Buyers looking near the South Bay Galleria area often compare homes on both sides of the city line, and the Lawndale side is usually less expensive for a similar house.
South Lawndale and Alondra Park
The southern end of the city sits next to Alondra Park and El Camino College, with a golf course, lake, and sports fields nearby. Quiet residential streets and proximity to Torrance make this a favorite with families.
Home Loan Programs for Lawndale Buyers
As a mortgage broker, Choice One Mortgage is not limited to a single bank’s products. We search dozens of wholesale lenders to match Lawndale buyers with the right loan program for their situation.
Buying or Refinancing a Home
Conventional Loans
Flexible financing with as little as 3% down, mortgage insurance you can drop, and terms built around your goals.
Learn more →
FHA Loans
Buy with as little as 3.5% down and flexible credit guidelines. A proven path to homeownership for first-time and repeat buyers.
Learn more →
VA Loans
Zero down, no monthly mortgage insurance, and competitive rates. A benefit you earned through your service.
Learn more →
Jumbo Loans
Financing for homes priced above the conforming loan limits, with the flexibility and personal service high-value purchases deserve.
Learn more →
Bridge Loans
Use the equity in your current home to buy your next one now, without a contingent offer or moving twice.
Learn more →Self-Employed and Alternative Income
Self-Employed Mortgages
Business owners, freelancers, and 1099 earners deserve a mortgage that fits how they actually get paid.
Learn more →
Bank Statement Loans
Qualify with your real cash flow, not the income left after write-offs. No tax returns required.
Learn more →
Asset Depletion Loans
Turn your savings, investments, and retirement accounts into qualifying income, with no paycheck or tax returns required.
Learn more →Real Estate Investors
DSCR Loans
Qualify based on the property's rental income, not your personal income. Grow your portfolio without tax returns.
Learn more →
Fix and Flip Loans
Fast, short-term financing for the purchase and the renovation, so you can win the deal and finish the project.
Learn more →
Hard Money Loans
Asset-based financing for investors who need to close fast, based on the property's value instead of your paperwork.
Learn more →Home Equity and Retirement
Why Lawndale Buyers Choose a Mortgage Broker
- Two-unit expertise — We know how each loan program treats two-on-a-lot properties, duplexes, and rental income from the second unit.
- Low down payment options — FHA at 3.5% down, conventional from 3% down, and VA with no down payment.
- Down payment assistance — We keep up with state and county programs and can tell you quickly whether you qualify.
- Rate shopping — We compare dozens of wholesale lenders so you are not limited to one bank.
- 30+ years of South Bay experience — Bill Lewis has been originating mortgage loans since 1995 and handles your loan personally.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lawndale Mortgages
How much do I need for a down payment on a home in Lawndale?
FHA loans require 3.5% down, which is $29,750 on an $850,000 home. Conventional loans start at 3% down for first-time buyers, and VA loans require no down payment for eligible borrowers.
Can I finance a property with two houses on one lot?
Yes. These are financed as two-unit properties. If you live in one of the homes, FHA, VA, and conventional loans are all available, and lenders will generally count a portion of the rent from the other home toward your qualifying income.
Can rental income from the second unit help me qualify?
In most cases, yes. Lenders typically use 75% of the market rent or the existing lease amount. The rules differ slightly by loan type, and we will show you how each one works for your numbers.
Is Lawndale a good choice for first-time buyers?
Yes. It offers South Bay location and freeway access at prices well below neighboring Redondo Beach and Torrance, and most purchases fit conforming and FHA loan amounts.
What are closing costs like in Lawndale?
About 2% to 3% of the purchase price, or roughly $17,000 to $25,500 on an $850,000 home. Seller credits can cover part of that, and we will show you the options.
Serving Lawndale and the Greater South Bay
Choice One Mortgage has been serving homebuyers throughout the South Bay and greater Los Angeles since 1995. We work with buyers and homeowners in Lawndale and all surrounding communities.
Choice One Mortgage Company, Inc. | NMLS 233784 | CA DRE 01238593
Bill Lewis | NMLS 284797 | (310) 614-5920
Equal Housing Lender. Subject to credit and property approval. This is not a commitment to lend.