Licensed California mortgage broker with loan programs specialized to your unique situation. Purchase loans, refinancing, FHA, VA, jumbo, commercial, construction, down payment assistance, and more across every Alameda community.
Schedule a quick 15-minute call and we'll match you to the right program for your Alameda County purchase.
We as brokers shop hundreds of lenders for you. Banks offer their own limited products.
As mortgage specialists serving Alameda County buyers across 14 cities, we match your unique situation to the right program.
Alameda County buyers navigate varied price points across 14 diverse cities.
We've spent 40+ years solving these exact challenges.
We're here to help match you with the perfect loan program for your Alameda County purchase.
SCHEDULE FREE CONSULTATION"For over 30 years, A Good Lender has been a trusted and essential part of my family's financial journey, guiding us through more than a dozen mortgage financing transactions with professionalism, integrity and care. What sets A Good Lender apart is their reliability and ability to demystify the mortgage process."
"Rodney Roloff & The Team at A Good Lender made my house buying process a breeze. Rodney helped me to better understand the loan process and walked me through everything step by step. If your looking for a good lender. One who will help you get the best rate. I highly recommend reaching out to Rodney and his team at 'A good lender'"
"From our first home buying experience, to exploring HELOC options, and refinancing, every step we were supported with clear and accurate information. A team who's knowledgeable, prompt to respond to any questions, and who genuinely cares for their clients is a rare find in this industry."
We've simplified the mortgage maze into four clear steps. No surprises, just results.
Complete your loan application online and upload your documents. We'll review everything to make sure it's complete before submitting to our lending partners.
We submit your application to our lending partners. Their underwriters review your documents, verify your income and credit, and issue your loan approval.
Sign your final documents, get your keys, and move into your Alameda County home. We coordinate everything to make closing day smooth and stress-free.
Finding the right home loan in Alameda County starts with understanding your options. We've streamlined hundreds of mortgage programs into 8 clear categories for Alameda County home buyers—covering purchase loans, refinance, commercial real estate, and specialized financing like bank statement and jumbo loans. Explore the general programs to compare down payment options and requirements, or apply now for a custom financing solution tailored to your Alameda County property.
Whether you're buying your first condo or a $3M estate, we offer comprehensive financing solutions with 14-day closings. Explore our complete range of purchase loan programs below.
Refinance to lower your interest rate, shorten your loan term, or access home equity for renovations, debt consolidation, or investment opportunities. Explore all refinance programs below.
Finance commercial real estate, owner-occupied buildings, or business expansions. Explore all commercial financing programs below.
Finance new construction, renovations, or land purchases. Explore all construction and renovation programs below.
From condos and townhomes to multi-family buildings and unique property types. Explore all specialized property financing programs below.
We specialize in complex financing scenarios where traditional loans don't fit. Explore all niche programs below.
Access California's down payment assistance programs. Explore all DPA programs below.
Self-employed professionals, freelancers, and business owners. Explore all special income documentation programs below.
Speed & Certainty
Whether you're buying your first condo or a $3M estate, we offer comprehensive financing solutions with 14-day closings. Explore our complete range of purchase loan programs below.
Rate & Term, Cash-Out
Refinance to lower your interest rate, shorten your loan term, or access home equity for renovations, debt consolidation, or investment opportunities. Explore all refinance programs below.
SBA 504 & 7(a)
Finance commercial real estate, owner-occupied buildings, or business expansions. Explore all commercial financing programs below.
Build & Improve
Finance new construction, renovations, or land purchases. Explore all construction and renovation programs below.
Specialized Properties
From condos and townhomes to multi-family buildings and unique property types. Explore all specialized property financing programs below.
Complex Scenarios
We specialize in complex financing scenarios where traditional loans don't fit. Explore all niche programs below.
CalHFA & Local DPA
Access California's down payment assistance programs. Explore all DPA programs below.
Alternative Documentation
Self-employed professionals, freelancers, and business owners. Explore all special income documentation programs below.
| Loan Type | 1-Unit | 2-Unit | 3-Unit | 4-Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | $1,249,125 $1.25M | $1,599,375 $1.60M | $1,933,200 $1.93M | $2,402,625 $2.40M |
| FHA | $1,249,125 $1.25M | $1,599,375 $1.60M | $1,933,200 $1.93M | $2,402,625 $2.40M |
Limits effective January 1, 2026. VA loans have no county limit for qualified veterans.
Calculate your monthly payment, affordability, and closing costs with Alameda County-specific property tax rates and loan limits. Get accurate estimates before you start shopping.
Common questions from Alameda County homebuyers and refinance clients. Can't find your answer? Book a 15-minute call with a Senior Loan Officer.
Pre-approval typically takes 24-72 hours. Full underwriting approval takes 14-21 days. We work with lenders offering express underwriting for strong borrowers who need faster closings.
Standard documents needed: pay stubs (last 30 days), W-2s (past 2 years), tax returns (past 2 years), bank statements (past 2 months), and photo ID. Self-employed borrowers need business tax returns and P&L statements. We'll provide a complete checklist for your situation.
Typical Alameda County closing timeline: 30-45 days from accepted offer. VA/FHA loans may take slightly longer. Cash buyers close in 7-14 days. We work to meet your timeline and coordinate with all parties to close on schedule.
Down payments in Alameda County vary by loan type: Conventional (3-5% minimum), FHA (3.5%), VA (0% for veterans). With $850K median pricing, most buyers put 5-20% down depending on whether they're avoiding PMI or maximizing cash reserves.
PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) is required on conventional loans with less than 20% down, costing 0.5-1% of your loan annually. Ways to avoid: put 20% down, use an 80-10-10 piggyback loan, or choose lender-paid PMI. PMI automatically drops once you reach 20% equity.
2026 Alameda County limits: FHA $1,249,125, Conventional $1,249,125. Any loan above $1,249,125 is a jumbo loan. Most Alameda County properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
With Alameda County's $850K median price and $1,249,125 Alameda County limit, many properties fall right at the threshold. Homes under $1,249,125 use conforming loans (better rates, easier qualification). Above that requires jumbo financing. We analyze your target price range to recommend the best approach.
A denial doesn't mean you can't buy in Alameda County. We review your denial letter, identify the specific issues (credit, DTI, income documentation), and match you with lenders who have more flexible guidelines. Common solutions include FHA loans for credit flexibility, alternative documentation, or co-borrower structures.
Credit requirements by loan type: FHA accepts 580+ (or 500 with 10% down), conventional starts at 620, VA at 620+. Our zero-down grant program works with 640+. Higher scores (720+) get better rates, but we work with borrowers across the credit spectrum.
Yes. We offer multiple documentation paths for self-employed Alameda County borrowers: bank statement loans (12-24 months deposits), P&L-only programs, and traditional tax return qualification. Our loan officers specialize in complex income situations.
Yes, first-time buyers represent about 35% of our Alameda County transactions. We help you navigate loan options, explain the differences between FHA, conventional, and VA programs, and identify down payment assistance available in Alameda County.
As a mortgage broker, we shop your scenario across 50+ wholesale lenders to find the best pricing. Unlike retail banks that only offer their own rates, we show you side-by-side comparisons with identical terms. No junk fees or hidden charges—just transparent pricing.
You work directly with a Senior Loan Officer (15+ years average experience) from application through closing—not a call center. We have local Alameda County expertise, same-day underwriting decisions, and flexibility to solve complex situations that algorithm-based lenders decline.
Closing costs in Alameda County typically run 2-4% of the purchase price. On a $850K home, expect $10,000-$20,000 covering appraisal, title insurance, escrow fees, and prepaids. FHA allows sellers to contribute up to 6% toward your closing costs.
Rate buydowns (paying points upfront for a lower rate) make sense if you'll keep the loan 5+ years. Each point (1% of loan amount) typically reduces your rate by 0.25%. We calculate your break-even point and whether buying down makes financial sense for your Alameda County purchase.
Pre-approval typically takes 24-72 hours. Full underwriting approval takes 14-21 days. We work with lenders offering express underwriting for strong borrowers who need faster closings.
Down payments in Alameda County vary by loan type: Conventional (3-5% minimum), FHA (3.5%), VA (0% for veterans). With $850K median pricing, most buyers put 5-20% down depending on whether they're avoiding PMI or maximizing cash reserves.
A denial doesn't mean you can't buy in Alameda County. We review your denial letter, identify the specific issues (credit, DTI, income documentation), and match you with lenders who have more flexible guidelines. Common solutions include FHA loans for credit flexibility, alternative documentation, or co-borrower structures.
As a mortgage broker, we shop your scenario across 50+ wholesale lenders to find the best pricing. Unlike retail banks that only offer their own rates, we show you side-by-side comparisons with identical terms. No junk fees or hidden charges—just transparent pricing.
You work directly with a Senior Loan Officer (15+ years average experience) from application through closing—not a call center. We have local Alameda County expertise, same-day underwriting decisions, and flexibility to solve complex situations that algorithm-based lenders decline.
Closing costs in Alameda County typically run 2-4% of the purchase price. On a $850K home, expect $10,000-$20,000 covering appraisal, title insurance, escrow fees, and prepaids. FHA allows sellers to contribute up to 6% toward your closing costs.
Standard documents needed: pay stubs (last 30 days), W-2s (past 2 years), tax returns (past 2 years), bank statements (past 2 months), and photo ID. Self-employed borrowers need business tax returns and P&L statements. We'll provide a complete checklist for your situation.
Typical Alameda County closing timeline: 30-45 days from accepted offer. VA/FHA loans may take slightly longer. Cash buyers close in 7-14 days. We work to meet your timeline and coordinate with all parties to close on schedule.
Credit requirements by loan type: FHA accepts 580+ (or 500 with 10% down), conventional starts at 620, VA at 620+. Our zero-down grant program works with 640+. Higher scores (720+) get better rates, but we work with borrowers across the credit spectrum.
2026 Alameda County limits: FHA $1,249,125, Conventional $1,249,125. Any loan above $1,249,125 is a jumbo loan. Most Alameda County properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
With Alameda County's $850K median price and $1,249,125 Alameda County limit, many properties fall right at the threshold. Homes under $1,249,125 use conforming loans (better rates, easier qualification). Above that requires jumbo financing. We analyze your target price range to recommend the best approach.
Yes. We offer multiple documentation paths for self-employed Alameda County borrowers: bank statement loans (12-24 months deposits), P&L-only programs, and traditional tax return qualification. Our loan officers specialize in complex income situations.
Yes, first-time buyers represent about 35% of our Alameda County transactions. We help you navigate loan options, explain the differences between FHA, conventional, and VA programs, and identify down payment assistance available in Alameda County.
PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) is required on conventional loans with less than 20% down, costing 0.5-1% of your loan annually. Ways to avoid: put 20% down, use an 80-10-10 piggyback loan, or choose lender-paid PMI. PMI automatically drops once you reach 20% equity.
Rate buydowns (paying points upfront for a lower rate) make sense if you'll keep the loan 5+ years. Each point (1% of loan amount) typically reduces your rate by 0.25%. We calculate your break-even point and whether buying down makes financial sense for your Alameda County purchase.
Alameda County is designated as a high-cost area. Conventional conforming loan limits are $1,249,125 for single-family homes, $1,599,375 for 2-unit properties, $1,933,200 for 3-unit properties, and $2,402,625 for 4-unit properties. FHA limits match these amounts.
We serve all 14 incorporated cities in Alameda County: Oakland, Fremont, Berkeley, Hayward, Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin, San Leandro, Union City, Newark, Alameda, Albany, Piedmont, and Emeryville.
Not necessarily. Thanks to Alameda County's high-cost designation, you can finance homes up to $1,249,125 with a conventional conforming loan, avoiding jumbo requirements and typically securing better rates. You only need a jumbo loan for properties exceeding this amount.
Several programs are available including CalHFA down payment assistance, Alameda County first-time buyer programs, and various grant programs. We'll help you identify all programs you qualify for based on your income and the city where you're buying.
Prices vary significantly by area. Piedmont averages $2.3M, Berkeley Hills around $1.4M, Tri-Valley (Pleasanton, Dublin, Livermore) approximately $1.2M, while more affordable options exist in Oakland ($750K) and Hayward ($850K).
HUD designates Alameda County as high-cost based on median home prices significantly exceeding national averages. This designation benefits buyers by providing higher conforming loan limits, allowing more homes to qualify for conventional financing with better rates.
Alameda County’s housing market runs from about $750,000 in Oakland and Hayward up to $2.3 million in places like Piedmont and the Berkeley Hills. Because this is a federally designated high-cost area, you’ll get a conforming loan limit of $1.25 million instead of the standard $766,550 you’d see in most of the country. That’s important because it means you can finance more expensive properties without jumping into jumbo loan territory, which typically comes with stricter requirements and higher rates. The price differences across the county’s 14 cities are significant.
You’ll find entry points around $750,000 to $850,000 in Oakland and Hayward, even though Fremont sits at $1.2 million and Berkeley hits $1.4 million. Over in the Tri-Valley, Pleasanton runs about $1.3 million because you’re paying for those top-rated schools and newer construction, but Livermore next door is closer to $950,000. The county’s employment base is what keeps this market stable even when prices feel stretched. You’ve got over 185,000 tech jobs, the Port of Oakland bringing in international trade, UC Berkeley as a constant employer, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory adding high-paying research positions. That employment mix means you’re not overly dependent on one industry, and it explains why appreciation has held up even during broader economic uncertainty.
Fill out the form below and we'll reach out to discuss your Alameda County mortgage options.
We respond within 24 hours
