FHA Loans in the Inland Empire (2026): County Limits and How to Choose an FHA Lender

Opening

Every lender says it is the right choice, so this guide gives you facts you can check yourself on government websites.

2026 FHA limits in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties

A loan limit is the most FHA will insure on a home in a given county. It is not the price of a home. It is not what you will be offered. What you can borrow depends on your finances and the lender's approval.

San Bernardino County and Riverside County are in the same area, the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metro area (Ontario, California). That is why they share limits. These are the 2026 forward mortgage limits as of January 1, 2026, from HUD's FHA Mortgage Limits lookup.

Limits differ by county. You can look up any county in the same tool.

HUD also sets a range for every county. HUD's news release No. 25-145 of December 11, 2025 set the 2026 one-unit low-cost area floor at $541,287 and the high-cost area ceiling at $1,249,125. These limits apply to case numbers assigned on or after January 1, 2026. A case number is the number HUD assigns to an FHA loan.

HUD announced the 2026 limits on December 11, 2025; check HUD's lookup for the current year.

Credit scores: HUD's floor vs. what lenders ask

HUD sets the lowest credit scores FHA will insure. Mortgagee Letter 2026-11, dated October 8, 2026, puts it this way:

• 580 and above: eligible for maximum financing.
• 500 to 579: eligible, but with limited financing (less than the maximum).
• Below 500: not eligible for FHA-insured financing.

The existing score thresholds are unchanged. The letter adds new credit score models for case numbers assigned on or after January 1, 2027. If you plan to buy in 2027, ask your lender which model they will use.

HUD's number is a floor, not a promise. A lender may ask for a higher score than HUD does. Down payment help programs may ask for more too. For example, CalHFA's published matrices start at 640. We explain why in our credit score guide.

Credit is one piece. Lenders also look at your income, your debts and your savings. See debt-to-income ratio and what underwriters look for.

How to check an FHA lender and loan officer

Private lenders make FHA loans, not the FHA itself. That means the lender you pick matters. Here are three checks that take about ten minutes.

1. Is the lender on HUD's list? HUD has a single family lender list search. Look up the company name there.

2. Is the loan officer licensed? Every loan officer has an NMLS number. NMLS Consumer Access lets you search by name or number and see their license information. The number should also be on their website, emails and ads. If it is not, ask why.

3. Will they put things in writing? Ask for the numbers on paper, not just by phone. Ask what is required before you can get approved. Ask who your contact will be from start to finish, and whether your file will change hands.

If you want to compare more than one lender, do. A good lender will not mind.

When you are looking at CalHFA programs, also read how to choose a CalHFA-approved lender. CalHFA's approved lender list shows New American Funding, LLC at 8463 Haven Avenue, #B, Rancho Cucamonga as a CalHFA-approved lender branch. That is our branch. Check it yourself rather than taking our word for it.

Condos: check FHA approval early

If you are looking at a condo, the project itself matters, not only you. HUD's FHA-approved condominium search "allows users to search for FHA-approved condominium projects by location, name, or status".

Check this early. Do it before you fall in love with a unit, and before you write an offer. If the project is not approved, FHA may not be an option for that home. It is much easier to learn that on day one than on day twenty.

FHA with down payment help: CalHFA and GSFA

Two programs often come up in the Inland Empire.

CalHFA FHA. According to CalHFA's programs page, "The CalHFA FHA Program is an FHA-insured loan". It can be paired with CalHFA MyHome Assistance. CalHFA's MyHome program is "only available through a CalHFA-approved lender." CalHFA's 2026 income limit for San Bernardino and Riverside Counties is $210,000. Our Inland Empire income limits guide shows how limits work.

GSFA Platinum. The Golden State Finance Authority runs GSFA Platinum, and it can pair with FHA. GSFA sets no GSFA income limit for FHA loans. Your lender may still have its own rules. Read our GSFA Platinum guide to see how it works and what to compare.

These programs have eligibility rules. Funds are limited and subject to availability. They are not available to everyone, and they can change without notice. Check the agency page for current terms.

Mortgage insurance, in plain words

FHA loans come with mortgage insurance. The CFPB says, "Mortgage insurance is required for all FHA loans."

We leave out the numbers here on purpose. Premiums can change, and they depend on the loan. Instead of a number from a web page, ask your lender to show you the cost for your loan in writing. Ask what you pay at closing, what you pay each month, and how long you pay it. Then put two lenders' answers side by side.

Questions buyers ask