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Safe Rate LocalCarmel-By-The-Sea index·Updated August 17, 2026

First-Time Homebuyer Mortgage Rates in Carmel-By-The-Sea

5.950%Rate
6.918%APR
$15,505monthly mortgage payment
$0points (0 pts)
Loan Amount $2,414,401; and Downpayment $86,063
Local Fast Facts
CA11250
Typical Home Value
$2,458,939
Area Median Income
$137,750
Estimated Property Taxes
$6,298/yr
Est. Property Tax Rate
0.26%
Conforming Loan Limit (1-unit)
$806,501
FHA Loan Limit (1-unit)
$1,209,750
Jumbo Threshold (1-unit)
> $806,501
Average Loan to Value
31.0%

Select your Scenario

3.5% Down (minimum)

5.950%

30-year fixed

Payment$15,505/mo
Down$86,063
Loan$2,414,401

10% Down

5.950%

30-year fixed · shorter MIP

Payment$14,460/mo
Down$245,894
Loan$2,251,773

15-Year FHA

5.950%

Faster payoff

Payment$21,416/mo
Down$86,063
Loan$2,414,401

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First-Time Homebuyer Programs in Carmel-By-The-Sea

Compare the top low-down-payment programs side by side

FHA
Min. down3.5% ($86,063)
Min. credit580+
Rate5.950%
Est. P&I$6,036/mo
Est. MIP/PMI+$1,088/mo
Easiest credit qualification
MIP for life of loan (<10% down)
VA
Min. down0% ($0)
Min. credit620+
0% down, no monthly mortgage insurance
VA eligibility required; funding fee applies
HomeReady
Min. down3% ($73,768)
Min. credit620+
Est. MIP/PMI+$1,491/mo
Reduced PMI vs standard conventional
Income limits apply by area
Conventional 20% down
Min. down20% ($491,788)
Min. credit620+
Rate7.026%
Est. P&I$6,635/mo
No PMI; lowest long-term cost
Largest upfront down payment
Pro tip for first-time buyers in Carmel-By-The-Sea

Most states offer first-time homebuyer assistance programs that can be stacked with FHA or HomeReady loans — covering down payment or closing cost assistance. Ask your Safe Rate loan officer about programs available in California for additional savings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are current first-time homebuyer rates today in Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA?

Today's leading benchmark rate for first-time homebuyer rates in Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA is 7.026% (with an estimated monthly payment of $6,635). Calibrated directly to Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA's local housing market, Safe Rate shows up-to-the-minute interest rates and points across Conventional, FHA, VA, and Jumbo loan programs daily.

What is the recent trend for first-time homebuyer rates in Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA?

Mortgage rates for first-time homebuyer rates have shown typical daily fluctuations driven by inflation data and bond yields. Over the past 90 days, rates for first-time homebuyer rates in Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA have hovered between a low of 6.470% and a high of 7.156%. You can track these daily movements by using the 90-day rate history and trajectory chart featured on this page.

Is an FHA or Conventional loan more cost-effective in Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA?

Choosing between FHA and Conventional depends on your down payment budget and credit score. For a typical home priced at $2,458,939 in Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA, a standard 20%-down Conventional loan requires an upfront cash down payment of $491,788 but keeps your monthly payment lower at $6,635/mo (at 7.026% interest) with no monthly PMI. In comparison, an FHA loan requires only $86,063 (3.5% down) but has an estimated payment of $6,036/mo (at 5.950% interest) due to mandatory FHA mortgage insurance (MIP). Local Nuance: The typical local FHA loan amount of $2,372,876 exceeds the local HUD FHA limit of $1,209,750 for a 1-unit property, meaning entry-level buyers here will likely require conventional financing or a larger down payment to comply with government limits.

What is the maximum conforming loan limit in Carmel-By-The-Sea before needing a Jumbo loan?

The 2025 conforming conventional loan limit for a 1-unit property in Carmel-By-The-Sea is $806,501. With a typical local home value of $2,458,939 in , a standard 20%-down mortgage requires a loan size of $1,967,151. Since this exceeds the conforming limit of $806,501, most typical transactions in require a non-conforming Jumbo loan, which demands stricter underwriting guidelines, higher credit scores, and larger asset reserves.

How does the median home value in Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA impact estimated mortgage payments?

The median home value in Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA is estimated at $2,458,939. Buying a typical home here with a standard 20% down payment ($491,788) translates to an estimated starting monthly mortgage payment of $6,635 (principal and interest). Compared to the local area median household income of $137,750 ($11,479/mo), this basic housing payment represents approximately 57.8% of gross monthly household income. Because this housing cost exceeds the standard 36% lender DTI guideline, buyers in this high-value area may need larger down payments, lower debt balances, or co-borrower income to qualify.