California has more self-employed borrowers, more real estate investors, and more non-traditional income earners than any other state in the country. BFF is built for exactly that market — with 22+ programs, a dedicated CA account executive, and same-state licensing that lets your borrowers close with confidence.
California is home to the largest concentration of self-employed workers in the United States — from Silicon Valley founders and entertainment industry professionals to contractors, consultants, and small business owners across Los Angeles, the Bay Area, San Diego, and the Central Valley. Most of them have income that doesn’t show up cleanly on tax returns. Add to that California’s investor-heavy real estate market — where DSCR loans are the primary vehicle for buying and expanding rental portfolios in competitive markets like LA, Sacramento, and the Inland Empire — and you have a state where Non-QM isn’t a niche product. It’s a mainstream need. BFF is headquartered in Costa Mesa, CA. We’re not a national lender trying to figure out California. We’re a California lender that knows the CA market, holds dual CA licenses, and has dedicated Account Executives who work CA brokers every day.
California has specific regulatory and market dynamics that affect how some programs are structured. Here's what matters for your CA submissions.
DSCR and investment property loans in California are generally originated as business purpose loans under BFF’s CFL license (#603E309), which exempts them from California usury restrictions. The Business Purpose Broker Application is required for these submissions — available in the Resource Center.
California’s strong rental market in the Inland Empire, Sacramento Valley, LA Basin, and Bay Area makes DSCR particularly effective. Many CA markets have DSCR ratios well above 1.0 due to high rents. BFF accepts no-ratio DSCR (vacant properties or new investors) down to 0.00 DSCR with compensating factors.
CalHFA programs have county-specific income limits and purchase price caps that change annually. Limits vary significantly across CA counties — a borrower who qualifies in Fresno County may not qualify in Santa Clara County. Always verify current limits at calhfa.ca.gov before quoting.
California’s Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) applies to borrower data collected on California residents. BFF’s Legal & Policies page includes the required CCPA Privacy Notice. Brokers should ensure their own websites and practices comply with CCPA for CA-resident borrowers.
California is a wet funding state — funds must be disbursed on the same day as closing. BFF’s docs-out turn time for wet funding is 48 business hours. Ensure your title company is prepared for same-day disbursement. See Turn Times for current funding cutoffs.
To submit loans through BFF in California, your brokerage must hold a valid California DRE Real Estate Broker License or California Finance Lenders License (CFL). Your individual loan originators must hold a California DRE NMLS endorsement or CA-DFPI MLO license. All must be in good standing with NMLS.
Every BFF program is available to licensed California mortgage brokers. Non-QM, DSCR, government, DPA, jumbo — all in one wholesale relationship.
California’s market is competitive. Your wholesale lender needs to be faster, more flexible, and more responsive than everyone else.
We’re not a remote lender learning California. We live and work here. Our team understands CA market conditions, CA regulatory requirements, and CA closing practices.
Your AE knows California. They price CA scenarios every day, understand CA county variations, and are available when you need to run a tough scenario before a rate expires.
In California’s fast-moving purchase markets, speed is everything. Complete packages get an initial underwriting decision in 24–48 business hours — not a week.
BFF holds both the California DFPI Finance Lenders Law license (CFL #603E309) and the California DRE Real Estate Corporation endorsement (#01206008), covering the full spectrum of CA loan types.
BFF is one of the few wholesale lenders offering CalHFA programs — giving your first-time CA homebuyers access to down payment assistance they can’t get at a bank.
9 distinct Non-QM programs covering bank statements, P&L, 1099, WVOE, assets, DSCR, foreign national, and ITIN. If there’s a way to qualify a CA borrower, BFF has the program.
Here’s what you need to be approved to submit loans through BFF in California.
Your brokerage must hold an active California DRE Real Estate Broker License or California Finance Lenders Law (CFL) Broker License. Both are accepted. License must be in good standing with no active enforcement actions.
Your company and all originating loan officers must be registered with NMLS and hold current California MLO endorsements (CA-DRE or CA-DFPI depending on your license type). Verify status at NMLS Consumer Access.
Submit BFF’s Broker Application Package (available in PDF or DocuSign format in the Resource Center). For investment/business purpose loans, you’ll also need the Business Purpose Broker Application.
Active E&O coverage is required for all BFF broker partners. Minimum coverage amounts apply. Details are included in the Broker Application Package.
Once your application is received and reviewed, a BFF Account Executive will reach out within 1–2 business days. You’ll receive portal access, a rate sheet, and an introduction to your dedicated CA AE.
Ready to close in California?
Yes. BFF (FlexPoint, Inc.) holds two California licenses: the California DFPI Finance Lenders Law License #603E309 and the California Real Estate Corporation DRE License Endorsement #01206008, in addition to NMLS #243082. You can verify both at NMLS Consumer Access.
BFF offers 9 Non-QM programs available to California brokers: Bank Statement (12 or 24-month), DSCR (1–4 unit), DSCR 5–8 Unit / Mixed Use, Cross-Collateral DSCR, P&L Statement, Asset Utilization, 1099, WVOE (Written Verification of Employment), and Full Doc Non-QM. All programs available statewide in California.
Yes. BFF’s DSCR program is available throughout California, up to $3.5M for 1–4 unit properties at up to 85% LTV, with a minimum 640 FICO. No tax returns required. Short-term rentals (Airbnb, VRBO) are eligible. For 5–8 unit and mixed-use properties, BFF offers a separate DSCR program up to $2M at 75% LTV for experienced investors.
Yes. BFF’s Bank Statement program is our most popular program for California borrowers, where self-employment rates are among the highest in the country. Borrowers can qualify using 12 or 24 months of personal or business bank statements — no tax returns required. Loans up to $4M at 90% LTV with a minimum 620 FICO.
Yes. BFF offers both CalHFA Conventional and CalHFA FHA through its wholesale channel, including down payment assistance options for eligible California first-time homebuyers. CalHFA programs have county-specific income limits and purchase price caps — verify current limits at calhfa.ca.gov before quoting. Contact your BFF AE for CA-specific CalHFA pricing.
Apply through BFF’s Become a Broker Partner page. You’ll need: an active California DRE or CFL broker license, NMLS registration, active E&O insurance, and a completed Broker Application Package. Approval typically takes 1–2 business days. Your dedicated California AE will reach out once approved.
Partner with BFF for fast, reliable wholesale lending in California. Submit a scenario or become an approved broker today.
