Real Monthly Costs for VA & FHA Buyers in SoCa

Andrew Georgitsis
Jul 21
2 min read

Monthly Payment Breakdown — No Surprises

📍 Introduction

When you're buying a home, it's easy to focus on the price tag — but what really matters is the monthly cost. That includes not just your mortgage, but also taxes, insurance, and other homeownership expenses.

This post breaks down typical monthly payments for homes in Southern California using VA and FHA loan scenarios, so you know what to expect — and can plan with confidence.

💸 What’s in a Monthly Payment?

Your monthly mortgage payment includes four main parts, often called “PITI”:

Letter	Stands For	Example
P	Principal	The actual loan amount being paid down
I	Interest	The lender’s charge to borrow money
T	Taxes	Property taxes, often ~1.1% of home value in SoCal
I	Insurance	Homeowner’s insurance (and possibly PMI or MIP)

🧮 Sample Monthly Payment Scenarios

🔵 VA Loan – $650,000 Home (No Down Payment)

Cost Component	Estimate
Principal & Interest (5.75%)	~$3,800
Property Taxes	~$600
Insurance	~$100
Total:	~$4,500/month
✅ No PMI
✅ $0 Down

🟠 FHA Loan – $600,000 Home (3.5% Down)

Cost Component	Estimate
Principal & Interest (6.25%)	~$3,570
Property Taxes	~$550
Insurance + MIP	~$180
Total:	~$4,300/month
❗ Includes mortgage insurance premium (MIP)

🟢 What About Assumable VA Loans?

If you assume a seller’s existing VA loan at 3.25%, your payment on the same $650K house could drop by over $700/month:

| Assumed VA Loan (3.25%) | ~$3,100/month total* |

*Exact savings depend on remaining loan balance and equity gap — we can walk you through it.

📍 Why This Matters

SoCal prices are high, but VA and FHA loans are designed to make monthly payments manageable, even for first-time buyers or zero-down buyers.

And we help you understand these numbers upfront — so you’re never surprised.

💬 Final Thought

Don’t let the sticker price scare you. With the right loan, the right support, and a clear monthly picture, homeownership is within reach — even in Southern California.

📞 Want help figuring out your monthly costs based on your income? We’ll run the numbers, no pressure — just clarity. 👉 Request a custom estimate Or reply with your target price range and loan type (VA, FHA, or conventional).