Mortgage broker serving Albany, CA, offering a full range of loan programs - purchases, refinancing, investment properties, FHA, VA, jumbo, DSCR, bank statement loans, down payment assistance, and more. Personalized programs for your unique situation. 40+ years California mortgage experience.
Schedule a quick 15-minute call and we'll match you to the right program and give you the best rate for your unique situation.
We as brokers shop hundreds of lenders for you. Banks offer their own limited products.
As mortgage specialists serving Albany buyers, we match your unique situation to the right program.
Albany's market hovers near the $1.25M limit, making loan structuring critical for best rates.
We've spent 40+ years solving these exact challenges.
We're here to help match you with the perfect loan program for your Albany 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 Albany home. We coordinate everything to make closing day smooth and stress-free.
Finding the right home loan in Albany starts with understanding your options. We've streamlined hundreds of mortgage programs into 8 clear categories for Albany 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 Albany 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.
Popular loan programs for Albany homebuyers. Compare options and find your best fit.
| Loan Type | Down Payment | Credit Score | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jumbo | 10-20% | 680+ | Homes above $1,249,125 |
| Bank Statement | 10-20% | 660+ | Self-employed, business owners, tech consultants |
| VA | $0 | No minimum | Veterans, active military (0% down on any price) |
| Asset Depletion | 10-20% | 680+ | Retirees, investors with $500K+ liquid assets |
| Conventional | 3-20% | 620+ | Good credit, flexible down payment. Up to $1,249,125 |
| DSCR | 20-25% | 660+ | Investment properties, no income verification |
| No Down Payment Program Featured | $0 (3.5% grant) | 580+ | First-time buyers - grant covers FHA or Conventional down payment |
| Reverse Mortgage | N/A | No minimum | Seniors 62+ accessing Albany home equity |
Questions? Call (510) 589-4096 or email info@agoodlender.com
Most Albany homes qualify for conforming loans under $1.25M. Best rates with 3-20% down.
Veterans buy in Albany with nothing down. VA loans up to $1.25M with no mortgage insurance.
FHA loans popular for Albany first-timers. 3.5% down, 580 credit minimum.
Higher-end Albany properties may exceed $1.25M. Jumbo financing available when needed.
Bank statement loans work for Albany's self-employed buyers. 12-24 months of deposits qualify you.
CalHFA MyHome provides up to 3.5% down payment assistance for Albany buyers.
Bridge loans help Albany buyers compete. Make non-contingent offers while selling current home.
Albany investment properties in LLC. Entity financing available for investors.
Most Albany mortgages qualify for conforming refinance. Lower your rate under the limit.
Albany homeowners tap equity with cash-out refinance. Consolidate debt or fund renovations.
Veterans in Albany refinance with VA IRRRL. No appraisal, no income verification.
Albany HELOC options for home equity access. Credit line with variable rate draw period.
Albany FHA borrowers can streamline refinance. No income verification or appraisal required.
Home equity loan option for Albany. Fixed payments unlike variable HELOC.
Albany rental investors use DSCR loans. Property income determines qualification, not W-2s.
Renovation investors in Albany use fix-and-flip financing. Purchase plus rehab in one loan.
Albany apartment financing available. Multifamily loans for 5+ unit buildings.
Commercial hard money in Albany. Speed and flexibility for investment deals.
Buy a home with zero down payment. Our lenders cover your entire down payment through grant programs. No repayment required. Available for Albany buyers with qualifying income.
CalHFA MyHome provides up to 3.5% down payment assistance for Albany buyers.
Local Albany DPA programs supplement state assistance. City grants reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Albany buyers check Elite grant eligibility. Grant funds reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Gift of equity option for Albany family purchases. Parents selling to children at discount.
Albany buyers use non-occupant co-borrowers. Parents help children qualify for homes.
Every situation is unique. The right loan program depends on your unique situation. See what works best for you.
Questions? Call (510) 589-4096 or email info@agoodlender.com
Albany is a tiny city of 19,439 tucked between Berkeley and El Cerrito, just 1.7 square miles with direct access to both San Francisco and Oakland. Median household income sits at $135,927, and the median home price is $1.1M. The homeownership rate is 53.6%, which is actually pretty decent for the Bay Area where most people rent. Here's the thing: you're paying a premium to live in one of the region's best school districts without the Berkeley price tag or the commute penalty of the outer suburbs.
Albany Unified is the main reason families stretch their budgets to buy here instead of Oakland or Richmond. Albany High consistently ranks among the top public schools in the Bay Area, and the district serves just one small city, so your property taxes directly fund these schools. Cornell Elementary and Marin Elementary both pull strong ratings, and Albany Middle feeds directly into the high school. When you're looking at a $1.1M mortgage, knowing your kids can walk to genuinely excellent public schools makes that payment easier to justify. The school quality also protects your resale value because there's always another family willing to pay up for this district.
Albany Hill runs $1.2M to $1.8M for hillside homes with actual Bay views, and you'll need a jumbo loan for anything up there since you're well over the conforming limit. Central Albany is where most buyers land, $900K to $1.4M for classic California bungalows within walking distance of Solano Avenue's shops and restaurants. If you can find something under $1.089M, you can use a conforming loan, but most properties push you into jumbo territory. Westbrae Border sits near the Berkeley line with tree-lined streets, $1M to $1.5M, and buyers here like being steps from Berkeley Bowl and the Westbrae Biergarten. The whole city is walkable, which matters when you're deciding between Albany and somewhere cheaper but car-dependent. You're paying for location and schools, and the property values stay stable because supply is incredibly limited in a city this small.
You're 24 minutes to San Francisco and 14 minutes to Oakland via I-80 or I-580, which is about as good as it gets in the Bay Area. AC Transit runs through town, and BART's El Cerrito Plaza station is close enough that plenty of residents bike or drive there for the commute. Real talk: this location is why Albany costs what it costs. You can work in SF, Oakland, or even down in Silicon Valley without the brutal commute that comes with living in Walnut Creek or further out. If both adults in your household are commuting to different job centers, Albany's central position makes it work. That commute time translates directly into quality of life, and it's part of why people stay once they buy here.
Albany Unified School District and the City of Albany are the main employers within city limits, but the real job story is what's nearby. UC Berkeley sits right next door and employs over 20,000 people, and Lawrence Berkeley Lab is just up the hill. Plenty of Albany homeowners work at these institutions and wanted to live close without dealing with Berkeley's housing market chaos. The proximity to both Oakland and SF job markets means you've got access to tech, healthcare, finance, and everything else the Bay Area offers. Most buyers here have dual incomes in professional fields because that's what it takes to qualify for a $1.1M mortgage, even with $135K household income being the median.
Common questions from Albany 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 Albany 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.
You have several low down payment options in Albany: Conventional (3% down), FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% for veterans), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program covering your entire down payment. Many Albany buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified Albany buyers. We also offer our 6-Month Forgivable Grant (covers 3-3.5% down, forgiven after 6 months), CalHFA programs, and local first-time buyer assistance. Unlike CalHFA's 5-year requirements, our programs have no income limits and no first-time buyer requirement.
Yes! Zero-down options for Albany buyers include: VA loans (eligible veterans), USDA loans (eligible rural areas), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program combined with seller concessions for closing costs. Many Albany families purchase with minimal upfront cash.
2026 Alameda County limits: FHA $1,249,125, Conventional $1,249,125. Any loan above $1,249,125 is a jumbo loan. Most Albany properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
For Albany's $500,000 median price: FHA is better for credit scores under 680 or down payments under 5%—it's more forgiving on DTI ratios too. Conventional is better with 5%+ down and 700+ credit (lower PMI costs). We compare both options for your specific situation.
A denial doesn't mean you can't buy in Albany. 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.
Absolutely—first-time buyers are our specialty in Albany. We guide you through the entire process, help you understand FHA vs conventional vs VA options, identify all available down payment assistance in Alameda County, and structure your purchase to minimize upfront costs.
You still have options in Albany. FHA loans accept credit scores as low as 580 (or 500 with 10% down). We also offer credit improvement strategies and can connect you with rapid rescoring services to boost your score before applying. Many buyers improve 20-50 points within 30 days.
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 Albany typically run 2-4% of the purchase price. On a $500,000 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.
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.
You have several low down payment options in Albany: Conventional (3% down), FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% for veterans), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program covering your entire down payment. Many Albany buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
A denial doesn't mean you can't buy in Albany. 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 Albany typically run 2-4% of the purchase price. On a $500,000 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 Albany 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 Albany properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified Albany buyers. We also offer our 6-Month Forgivable Grant (covers 3-3.5% down, forgiven after 6 months), CalHFA programs, and local first-time buyer assistance. Unlike CalHFA's 5-year requirements, our programs have no income limits and no first-time buyer requirement.
Yes! Zero-down options for Albany buyers include: VA loans (eligible veterans), USDA loans (eligible rural areas), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program combined with seller concessions for closing costs. Many Albany families purchase with minimal upfront cash.
Absolutely—first-time buyers are our specialty in Albany. We guide you through the entire process, help you understand FHA vs conventional vs VA options, identify all available down payment assistance in Alameda County, and structure your purchase to minimize upfront costs.
You still have options in Albany. FHA loans accept credit scores as low as 580 (or 500 with 10% down). We also offer credit improvement strategies and can connect you with rapid rescoring services to boost your score before applying. Many buyers improve 20-50 points within 30 days.
For Albany's $500,000 median price: FHA is better for credit scores under 680 or down payments under 5%—it's more forgiving on DTI ratios too. Conventional is better with 5%+ down and 700+ credit (lower PMI costs). We compare both options for your specific situation.
The 2026 FHA loan limit for Albany (Alameda County) is $1.25M for a single-family home. This is a high-cost area limit. Properties above this amount require jumbo financing. FHA loans allow down payments as low as 3.5% for qualified borrowers.
It depends on the property. Albany's median home price is $1.1M, while the conforming loan limit is $1.25M. Properties above the limit require jumbo financing, while those under it can use conventional, FHA, or VA loans.
The 2026 Alameda County loan limits are: FHA: $1.25M, VA: $1.25M, Conventional: $1.25M. Any loan amount above $1.25M is considered a jumbo loan.
Yes! Veterans and active military can use VA loans in Albany with $0 down payment. The 2026 VA loan limit for Alameda County is $1.25M. For properties above this amount, you can still use a VA loan but will need a down payment on the amount exceeding the limit.
We provide same-day pre-approvals for most loan programs. Full loan approval and closing typically takes 21-30 days for conventional and jumbo loans, and 30-45 days for FHA and VA loans.
Down payment requirements vary by loan type: Conventional: 5-20%, FHA: 3.5%, VA: $0 for eligible veterans, Jumbo: typically 10-20%. For Albany's median price of $1.1M, most buyers put down 15-20%.
Minimum credit scores vary by loan type: FHA: 580, Conventional: 620, VA: typically 620, Jumbo: 680-700+. Higher credit scores qualify for better interest rates.
Look for a lender with California experience, strong communication, competitive rates, and the ability to close on time. We've been serving California homebuyers for 40+ years with senior loan officers who specialize in complex scenarios.
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