Chico, California · Butte County County
Mortgage Loans in Chico, California
New Avenue Realty & Loans helps Chico homebuyers and homeowners across California close on the loan their bank said no to.
102,188
Population
$427,600
Median home value
$65,932
Median household income
$1,360/mo
Median rent
Based on US Census ACS 2022 5-year estimates.
With a median home value around $427,600 in Chico — based on the most recent ACS estimates — even a 5% conventional down payment is a meaningful figure, and we structure loans accordingly. New Avenue Realty & Loans is a California mortgage broker that has closed over 3,000 loans, averaging 17 days from application to close. Whether you're buying your first Chico home, refinancing, or pulling cash out, we shop dozens of lenders so the loan actually fits the price point.
Median household income in Chico sits near $65,932 according to recent ACS estimates, which means debt-to-income calculations matter — and so does picking the right loan program. With roughly 102,188 residents and Far North pricing, the city's borrowers range from W-2 earners to business owners with variable income. We structure loans against that real income picture rather than a generic California average, so the DTI math holds up when the file actually goes to underwriting.
Chico renters paying around $1,360/month — per recent ACS estimates — often discover that homeownership is closer than they thought, especially with FHA's 3.5% down option or 3%-down conventional. New Avenue Realty & Loans runs the side-by-side math on rent versus a real PITI payment, then maps it to the loan programs you actually qualify for. Call (323) 694-5476 and you'll get a real scenario, not a marketing script — and we tell you upfront if buying right now doesn't pencil.
Local context
About Chico
Chico is the largest city in California's Far North region and is home to California State University, Chico, one of the oldest CSU campuses. The economy combines higher education, healthcare (Enloe Medical Center), agriculture, and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, which is headquartered here. Bidwell Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the country, runs through the city.
Downtown Chico is walkable around the university, and surrounding neighborhoods feature a mix of older Craftsman homes, mid-century housing, and newer subdivisions. The 2018 Camp Fire in nearby Paradise significantly affected the regional housing market.
Highlights
- Home to Cal State Chico
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Company headquarters
- Bidwell Park is a major municipal park
- Largest city in the Far North region
- Walkable downtown around the university
Loan programs
Mortgage options for Chico
We match Chico buyers and homeowners with the right program — not the other way around.
Conventional Loans
Solid credit, straightforward path.
FHA Loans
First home? Lower barrier to entry.
VOE Loans
Qualify with just your employment letter.
P&L Loans
Your profit and loss statement is your paycheck.
Non-QM Loans
Bank statements, DSCR, asset depletion — flexible approval.
No commitment. No hard credit pull.
Common questions
Chico mortgage FAQs
What credit score do I need for a mortgage in Chico?
It varies by program. FHA loans for Chico buyers can work with lower scores, conventional usually prefers mid-600s and up, and our non-QM programs reach further down in exchange for different terms. We pull credit once and match the score to the strongest available program.
Do you help first-time homebuyers in Chico?
Yes. First-time buyers are a big part of who we work with in Chico. We walk through pre-approval, explain how down payment and closing costs actually work in California, and lay out FHA, 3%-down conventional, and other low-down-payment options at no charge.
Can I refinance my Chico home with New Avenue?
Yes. We handle rate-and-term, cash-out, and debt-consolidation refinances for Chico homeowners. Whether you want to lower your payment, pull equity for renovations, or move out of FHA into conventional, we run the math. If a refi doesn't save you money, we'll say so.
What does the typical home in Chico cost?
As of the most recent ACS estimates, the median home value in Chico is approximately $427,600. Loan size is one of many factors that shapes which program fits — down payment, occupancy, credit profile, and income documentation all move the recommendation. We run the scenario against your actual numbers rather than the city average.
Do you offer mortgage loans in Chico?
Yes. New Avenue Realty & Loans is a licensed California mortgage broker, and Chico is part of our service area. We finance purchases, refinances, cash-out, and investment-property loans. Call (323) 694-5476 and we can usually outline a program the same day.
Get started
Let’s talk about Chico
Share a few details and we will call you back to discuss the best path forward. No obligation, no hard credit pull.
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One call can change everything
Whether you were denied by another lender or just getting started in Chico, we are here to help you move forward.