Can I buy an Encino condo with a VA loan?

Potentially. You must qualify, and the condominium must be in a VA-approved project. Have the exact project checked early.

Should I use the seller's property tax bill to estimate my payment?

Not by itself. A purchase can change assessed value. Ask for an estimate based on your transaction and discuss potential supplemental bills with escrow or a tax professional.

Can I get a mortgage if I am self-employed?

Possibly. The documentation and income calculation depend on the program. Start with a document review, not a guess based on business deposits.

How do I compare two mortgage quotes fairly?

Match the loan amount, term, points, credits and lock period. Compare written Loan Estimates when available, not just a rate in a text.

Encino home loans, with the whole payment on the table

A house payment is more than principal and interest. In Encino, the insurance quote, property taxes and HOA bill can change what feels comfortable pretty quickly. I would rather work through that before you write an offer than explain it when you are already committed.

I'm Roland Suncire, Founder and President of Sunview Lending. I've been in mortgages since 2003, and I founded Sunview in 2015. Our wholesale mortgage brokerage is at 17609 Ventura Blvd, Suite LL03, Encino. We help people compare financing for purchases and refinances, including eligible VA borrowers.

Start with what you want to spend each month. Then we can talk about the house.

Encino is not one price point

A condo near Ventura Boulevard, a house in Encino Park and a hillside property south of Ventura do not belong in the same financing conversation. The property type, insurance and cash needed after closing can be very different.

For a dated snapshot, Redfin reported a median sale price of about $1.77 million for Encino over the three months ending September 2026. That is a neighborhood-wide median, not a condo price guide or an appraisal. A few expensive sales can move the number. Use recent comparable properties when deciding what a particular home is worth.

Around White Oak Avenue and Balboa Boulevard, start with the actual property and its ownership structure. A listing calling something a townhome does not tell us whether it is legally a condominium. That distinction can affect the loan review.

For a hillside address, get an insurance quote early. Do not assume the seller's premium is what you will pay. If coverage is difficult or expensive, that belongs in the budget before the offer, not after it.

Before you fall in love with the listing

Here is what I want on the table:

Your comfortable monthly payment, not just the maximum a lender might approve.
Down payment, closing costs and the savings you want left afterward.
Income documents that show how you are paid.
Property taxes estimated for your purchase, rather than copied from the seller's old bill.
Insurance, HOA dues and any known special assessment.
The property address and the kind of home you are buying.

If you own a business, tell us before we build the file around your gross revenue. Revenue is not qualifying income. Tax returns, business structure and the program's rules matter. A large deposit also needs an explanation and documentation. Ask before moving money between accounts.

Buying an Encino condo? Review the building too

You can be a qualified borrower and still have a property problem. A lender may need the association's budget, master insurance, reserve information, assessment details and information about litigation or building repairs. Requirements depend on the program and project.

Ask the agent or HOA manager who can provide the documents and how long that takes. Read the meeting minutes and assessment notices yourself. A lender's approval is not a promise that dues will stay flat or that the building has no repair costs ahead.

For buildings with balconies or other elevated exterior elements, ask whether applicable inspections are complete and whether repairs or assessments remain. Have the association and your advisers confirm what applies to that building.

For a VA purchase, the condominium project needs VA approval. Approval for another loan program is not the same thing. Check the exact project before you spend money assuming it will work.

How I compare the loan options

As a wholesale broker, Sunview can compare options from multiple lenders. That does not mean every lender offers the same program or that one option wins every time.

Ask for comparisons using the same purchase price, down payment, term and rate-lock assumptions. Look at the rate, APR, points, lender credits, cash to close and monthly payment together. A credit can reduce upfront costs while changing the rate. Paying points only makes sense if the trade works for your plans.

For a higher loan amount, we can discuss whether a conforming or jumbo option fits, subject to current county limits and lender requirements. I would not decide that from a neighborhood median.

VA purchases and refinances in Encino

Eligible veterans, service members and surviving spouses should compare their VA benefit with other suitable options. A qualifying VA purchase can avoid a down payment and monthly mortgage insurance, but closing costs, entitlement, appraisal and lender approval still matter. See VA loans.

Already have a VA loan? Start with my VA IRRRL break-even article, then ask for a current written comparison. A smaller payment is not enough if costs and a longer term leave you worse off.

Questions people ask about Encino home loans

Can I buy an Encino condo with a VA loan?: Potentially. You must qualify, and the condominium must be in a VA-approved project. Have the exact project checked early.
Should I use the seller's property tax bill to estimate my payment?: Not by itself. A purchase can change assessed value. Ask for an estimate based on your transaction and discuss potential supplemental bills with escrow or a tax professional.
Can I get a mortgage if I am self-employed?: Possibly. The documentation and income calculation depend on the program. Start with a document review, not a guess based on business deposits.
How do I compare two mortgage quotes fairly?: Match the loan amount, term, points, credits and lock period. Compare written Loan Estimates when available, not just a rate in a text.

Talk through your Encino purchase

Contact the shop, call (818) 452-4993 or email roland@sunviewlending.com. For an initial conversation, describe the property and your goal. Do not email Social Security numbers or financial documents. Ask for the secure application process.

Buying or refinancing in Sherman Oaks? See Sherman Oaks home loans. Buying or refinancing in Studio City? See Studio City home loans. Buying or refinancing in Van Nuys? See Van Nuys home loans.

Roland Suncire, NMLS 1196184. Sunview Lending, Inc., NMLS 1408622. CA DFPI 60DBO-45974. Licensing and verification. Equal Housing Opportunity. All loans are subject to eligibility, property review and underwriting approval.