Mortgage Lender in Westchester, CA
Helping Westchester homebuyers and homeowners find the right mortgage since 1995. As an independent mortgage broker, Choice One Mortgage shops dozens of wholesale lenders to deliver the best rate and terms for your purchase or refinance.
Westchester is one of Los Angeles’ best-kept secrets — a family-oriented neighborhood with tree-lined streets, well-maintained mid-century homes, and a genuine sense of community that belies its location just minutes from LAX and the booming Silicon Beach tech corridor. Originally developed in the late 1940s to house workers at the nearby aviation plants, Westchester has evolved into a highly desirable residential enclave where airline employees, tech professionals, university faculty, and longtime families live side by side. Its proximity to Loyola Marymount University, Playa Vista, and the beach communities of Playa del Rey make it a strategic location for anyone who values both convenience and neighborhood character.
Choice One Mortgage Company has served Southern California homebuyers since 1995. As a licensed mortgage broker, we do not represent a single bank or lender. We shop your loan across dozens of wholesale lenders simultaneously, creating competition that works in your favor. Whether you are a first-time buyer stretching into the Westchester market or a tech professional upgrading to a larger Kentwood home, our three decades of experience and extensive lender network ensure you get financing tailored to your goals.
Ready to explore your mortgage options in Westchester?
(310) 614-5920Call or text — we are available evenings and weekends
The Westchester Housing Market
Westchester’s real estate market reflects its status as one of the Westside’s most sought-after residential neighborhoods. Single-family homes typically range from $1 million to $2.5 million, with the most desirable properties in Kentwood and the western sections nearest to Playa del Rey commanding the highest prices. The housing stock is predominantly single-family — a mix of post-war ranch homes, updated mid-century modern properties, and newer custom builds on the increasingly rare teardown lots. Townhomes and condominiums are available at lower price points, particularly along the commercial corridors.
Because Westchester is part of the City of Los Angeles in LA County, buyers benefit from the 2026 conforming loan limit of $1,209,750 for a single-unit property. This high-cost designation is particularly valuable in Westchester, where many homes fall in the $1 million to $1.2 million range — right within the conforming window. Buyers purchasing properties above the conforming limit have access to our competitive jumbo loan programs with rates that have become increasingly attractive relative to conforming loans.
The influx of well-compensated tech workers from nearby Playa Vista — home to Google, Facebook (Meta), Snap, and other major employers — has strengthened Westchester’s housing market considerably over the past decade. Many of these buyers earn substantial incomes but may have complex compensation structures involving stock options, RSUs, and bonuses, which is where our expertise in navigating varied income documentation becomes especially valuable.
Westchester Neighborhoods We Serve
Kentwood
Widely regarded as Westchester’s premier family neighborhood, Kentwood features larger lots, excellent schools, and a strong sense of community. Homes here typically range from $1.3 million to $2.5 million, making both conventional conforming and jumbo financing common. Families are drawn to the Kentwood Elementary School feeder pattern and the quiet, pedestrian-friendly streets.
Westchester Proper
The core of the neighborhood surrounding Sepulveda Boulevard and the Westchester Town Center offers a mix of classic ranch homes and updated properties at slightly more accessible price points. First-time buyers and young families often find their entry into Westchester here, with many homes falling squarely within conventional conforming loan limits.
Loyola Village
Named for its proximity to Loyola Marymount University, this charming pocket offers a walkable setting near campus with easy access to Playa del Rey and the bluffs above Ballona Creek. Homes here appeal to university faculty, professionals, and buyers who value the area’s character and coastal proximity. Conventional loans are the dominant financing choice.
Playa del Rey Border
The western edge of Westchester transitions into Playa del Rey, and properties in this zone benefit from ocean breezes and proximity to Dockweiler Beach. Homes on the Playa del Rey border tend to carry a price premium for their beach-adjacent location, and buyers here frequently utilize jumbo loan programs for the higher purchase prices.
North Westchester
The northern sections of Westchester closer to the 405 Freeway offer some of the neighborhood’s most affordable single-family options. These areas attract commuters who need freeway access to the Westside, downtown LA, or the South Bay. Many purchases here fall within conventional conforming limits, and FHA loans provide an additional pathway for qualified buyers.
Playa Vista Adjacent
The eastern edge of Westchester borders Playa Vista, the master-planned community that has become the heart of Silicon Beach. Westchester homes in this transition zone offer a more established neighborhood feel at price points below Playa Vista’s newer construction, making them popular with tech workers who want proximity to their employers without the HOA fees and density of a planned community.
Home Loan Programs for Westchester Buyers
Conventional Loans
With the 2026 LA County conforming loan limit at $1,209,750, a significant portion of Westchester home purchases can be financed with conventional conforming loans. These loans offer the most competitive interest rates, down payments as low as 3% for qualified first-time buyers, and no upfront mortgage insurance premiums. For Westchester buyers with strong credit and documented income, conventional financing is typically the most cost-effective path to homeownership.
Jumbo Loans
For Westchester properties priced above the conforming limit — common in Kentwood, the Playa del Rey border, and premium locations throughout the neighborhood — our jumbo loan programs provide financing with competitive rates and flexible terms. We work with multiple jumbo lenders, offering options with as little as 10% down on loan amounts up to $2 million and beyond. Jumbo ARM products can be particularly attractive for buyers who plan to refinance or sell within a defined timeframe.
FHA Loans
While Westchester’s higher price points mean FHA loans are used less frequently than in some South Bay neighborhoods, they remain a viable option — particularly for condominiums and townhomes or for buyers purchasing at the lower end of the Westchester market. FHA loans require just 3.5% down and offer more flexible credit requirements, making them a smart choice for buyers who may not qualify for conventional financing.
VA Loans
Westchester’s proximity to LAX — and the many veterans and active-duty personnel who work in aviation, defense, and related industries — makes VA loans an important financing option in this market. VA loans offer zero-down financing with no private mortgage insurance, and there is no VA loan limit for borrowers with full entitlement, meaning even higher-priced Westchester homes can be purchased with no money down by eligible veterans.
Non-QM and Specialty Programs
The Silicon Beach economy has created a large population of borrowers with non-traditional income profiles — startup founders, freelance professionals, gig economy workers, and tech employees with compensation heavily weighted toward stock options and RSUs. Our non-QM programs address these situations with bank statement loans using 12 or 24 months of deposits, asset depletion programs for borrowers with significant investment portfolios, and DSCR loans for real estate investors purchasing rental properties in the Westchester market.
Reverse Mortgages
Many longtime Westchester homeowners purchased their homes decades ago and are now sitting on substantial equity as property values have appreciated dramatically. For homeowners aged 62 and older, a reverse mortgage can convert that equity into tax-free funds for retirement living expenses, medical costs, or home renovations — all without monthly mortgage payments. Given Westchester’s strong property values, reverse mortgages can provide significant financial flexibility.
Let us find the right mortgage for your Westchester home
(310) 614-5920Free consultation — no obligation, no pressure
Why Choose Choice One Mortgage in Westchester
South Bay expertise since 1995. Choice One Mortgage Company has served the South Bay and Westside of Los Angeles for three decades. Our founder, Bill Lewis, has deep familiarity with Westchester’s neighborhoods, pricing dynamics, and the specific lending considerations that come with buying in this competitive market. That local knowledge translates to better guidance and smoother transactions.
Broker advantage — more options, better rates. Banks and direct lenders offer only their own products. As a mortgage broker, Choice One Mortgage shops your loan across dozens of wholesale lenders, creating competition that drives down your rate and fees. This broker model saves you money without any additional cost — wholesale lenders pay our compensation, so you benefit from the competition without paying extra.
Tech-savvy income solutions. Westchester’s proximity to Silicon Beach means many of our local borrowers have complex income situations involving stock compensation, multiple income streams, or self-employment. We specialize in structuring loans that work for modern income profiles, drawing on our extensive network of lenders with flexible underwriting guidelines.
Full spectrum of loan products. From conventional conforming loans for Westchester proper to jumbo financing for Kentwood estates to non-QM programs for startup founders, we have the programs and lender relationships to handle virtually any mortgage need in the Westchester market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026 conforming loan limit in Westchester?
Westchester is part of the City of Los Angeles in LA County, so the 2026 conforming loan limit is $1,209,750 for a single-unit property. This means many Westchester home purchases — particularly in Westchester proper, North Westchester, and the more moderately priced sections — can be financed with conventional conforming loans at lower interest rates. Properties above this threshold require jumbo financing, which we also offer at competitive rates through our lender network.
Can I qualify for a mortgage with stock options or RSU income?
Yes. Many Westchester buyers — particularly those working at tech companies in nearby Playa Vista — receive a significant portion of their compensation in stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), or bonuses. Conventional lenders can often count vested RSU income and a two-year history of stock option exercises as qualifying income. For borrowers who need more flexibility, our non-QM bank statement programs and asset depletion loans offer alternative paths to qualification. We will analyze your specific compensation structure and match you with the lender best equipped to handle it.
How competitive is the Westchester housing market?
Westchester is a competitive market, particularly in Kentwood and the western sections near Playa del Rey. Well-priced homes in desirable pockets often receive multiple offers and sell within days of listing. Having a strong pre-approval letter from a reputable lender gives you a significant advantage when competing against other buyers. We can typically issue a pre-approval within 24 hours of receiving your application, and our reputation with local real estate agents adds credibility to your offer.
Is Westchester a good investment given its proximity to LAX?
Despite its proximity to the airport, Westchester has proven to be an excellent long-term real estate investment. The neighborhood is well buffered from airport noise — particularly Kentwood and the western sections — and property values have appreciated significantly over the past two decades, driven by the Silicon Beach tech boom, strong schools, and limited housing supply. The ongoing development of Playa Vista and improvements to LAX have only reinforced Westchester’s position as a desirable Westside residential neighborhood.
What school options are available for families in Westchester?
Westchester is part of the LAUSD system, with several well-regarded neighborhood schools including Kentwood Elementary, Cowan Avenue Elementary, and Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnets. There are also charter and private school options in the area, including the proximity to Loyola Marymount University’s campus. The strong school options are a key driver of Westchester’s popularity with families and contribute to the neighborhood’s stable property values — an important consideration for lenders and buyers alike.
Serving the South Bay and Beyond
In addition to Westchester, Choice One Mortgage proudly serves homebuyers and homeowners throughout the South Bay, Westside, and greater Los Angeles. Whether you are exploring neighboring communities or relocating within LA County, we can help.
Choice One Mortgage Company | NMLS 233784 | CA DRE 01238593
Bill Lewis — Founder | NMLS 284797
Serving the South Bay since 1995 | (310) 614-5920
Equal Housing Lender. Subject to credit and property approval. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change without notice.