FHA vs conventional 3 percent in San Diego
Quick answer: Conventional 3% down exists as a program type if you qualify. FHA typical down is 3.5%. This page does not invent rates. The better path is the one that fits credit, occupancy, condo rules if any, mortgage insurance, and cash to close on a real San Diego or Riverside County file.
Buyers hear 3% and assume conventional is automatically cheaper than FHA. Sometimes. Sometimes not. FHA uses typical 3.5% down and FHA mortgage insurance. Conventional 3% programs exist, with income, occupancy, and credit rules that have to fit. I will not publish a rate here to pretend I already ran your file.
What each program actually is
| FHA | Conventional 3% | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical down | 3.5% | 3% if you qualify for that program type |
| Occupancy | Primary residence | Usually primary residence on 3% programs |
| Condo | Project has to be FHA-eligible | Project still has to be warrantable for conventional |
| Mortgage insurance | FHA MIP on the FHA file | PMI on the conventional file, with different rules |
We compare the monthly number with taxes, insurance, and HOA, not a down-payment headline. See FHA loan San Diego for the FHA path. Conventional 3% is a program type, not a rate I invent on this page.
Loan amount still decides the bucket
The 2026 San Diego County 1-unit high-cost conforming line is $1,104,000. Baseline is $832,750. Conventional above $1,104,000 is generally jumbo. FHA uses FHA's county table. Confirm on loan limits. If the loan amount is jumbo, see jumbo loan San Diego. VA with full entitlement is a different path: VA loan San Diego.
Start the comparison on a real file at get pre-approved San Diego. Left Coast Leaders, Inc. NMLS 2394495. Amir Nurani NMLS 197458. Call (619) 366-9494.
Frequently asked questions
No. Conventional 3% exists as a program type if you qualify. FHA typical down is 3.5%. Mortgage insurance, credit, condo rules, and cash to close decide the file. We do not invent rates here.
No. This page is program structure. Call (619) 366-9494 for a number on your credit, occupancy, and loan amount.
Only if the project is FHA-eligible and you fit the rest of the file. A house does not need an FHA condo list check the same way.
Conventional above the 2026 1-unit high-cost line is generally jumbo. FHA uses its own county table. We check both on the file.
Want FHA and conventional 3% run on the same file?
Send documents. We will compare cash to close and the monthly number, not a headline down payment.
Get Pre-Approved(619) 366-9494 · Amir Nurani · NMLS #197458
Left Coast Leaders, Inc. · NMLS #2394495 · DRE #02191517 · Equal Housing Lender · San Diego County and Riverside County · San Diego, CA