Mortgage broker serving Berkeley, 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 Berkeley buyers, we match your unique situation to the right program.
Berkeley's market straddles the $1.25M limit, requiring strategic loan structuring.
We've spent 40+ years solving these exact challenges.
We're here to help match you with the perfect loan program for your Berkeley 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 Berkeley home. We coordinate everything to make closing day smooth and stress-free.
Finding the right home loan in Berkeley starts with understanding your options. We've streamlined hundreds of mortgage programs into 8 clear categories for Berkeley 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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley home equity |
Questions? Call (510) 589-4096 or email info@agoodlender.com
Berkeley prices often exceed $1.25M. Jumbo loans cover properties above the conforming limit with 10-20% down.
Properties under $1.25M get conforming financing. Split between conforming and jumbo in Berkeley.
Self-employed? Berkeley bank statement loans use deposits, not tax returns. Common for entrepreneurs.
VA loans cover all Berkeley properties with $0 down. No PMI ever. Veterans' best option.
Asset depletion loans for Berkeley buyers with $500K+ liquid assets. Qualify on portfolio, not paycheck.
First-time Berkeley buyers can use FHA with 3.5% down. Limit is $1.25M.
Bridge financing for Berkeley moves. Purchase before your current home sells.
Entity financing for Berkeley investors. Purchase in LLC for asset protection.
Berkeley loans under $1.25M get conforming refinance rates. Best rates available.
Access Berkeley home equity with cash-out refi. Up to 80% LTV for improvements or investments.
HELOC for Berkeley homeowners with equity. Flexible access without full refinance.
VA IRRRL refinance for Berkeley veterans. Lower your rate without appraisal or income docs.
Berkeley home equity loans available. Fixed rate second mortgage for large expenses.
FHA streamline for Berkeley homeowners with FHA loans. Lower your rate without appraisal.
Investment properties in Berkeley can use DSCR financing. Rental income qualifies the loan.
Berkeley rehab projects use fix-and-flip loans. 12-18 month terms for buy-renovate-sell.
Multifamily loans for Berkeley apartment buildings. Commercial rates for larger properties.
Hard money financing for Berkeley commercial. Fast approval when banks are too slow.
Buy a home with zero down payment. Our lenders cover your entire down payment through grant programs. No repayment required. Available for Berkeley buyers with qualifying income.
CalHFA programs can help Berkeley first-time buyers. Check income limits for eligibility.
Berkeley family transfers use gift of equity. Below-market sale with equity as down payment.
Non-occupant co-borrower option in Berkeley. Family member income helps qualification.
Check Berkeley city programs for additional DPA. May stack with CalHFA for more help.
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
Berkeley sits on the east side of the Bay, population 124,321, median household income $95,000. That homeownership rate of 44.8% tells you everything about the market here. At $1.265M median home price, you're looking at one of the most expensive cities in the Bay Area, where most residents rent because breaking into ownership requires serious financial firepower. A household at the median income won't qualify for the median home without significant down payment help or dual high earners. This is a market where jumbo loans are standard and 20% down means having $250K+ in cash ready to go.
Berkeley High School is the big draw for families willing to stretch their budget to buy here. The district has a strong reputation, and that directly impacts property values. Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley attracts families looking for language immersion programs, while Berkeley Technology Academy offers another public option. Here's the thing about buying in a strong school district: you're paying a premium upfront, but resale is typically easier and faster. When you're financing a $1.5M+ home to get into the right school zone, you need to think long-term because transaction costs alone will eat six figures if you sell too soon. Families who buy here tend to stay through high school graduation, which stabilizes neighborhoods but also means inventory stays tight.
Where you buy in Berkeley determines whether you're looking at a standard jumbo loan or need serious portfolio lending. Berkeley Hills runs $1.5M to $4M+, hillside properties with Bay views that often require jumbo loans above the conforming limit of $1,149,825. North Berkeley hits $1.2M-$2M for those Craftsman homes near the Gourmet Ghetto and BART access, and you'll compete with Cal professors and tech workers who can move fast with cash or waived contingencies. Elmwood sits at $1.3M-$2.2M, tree-lined streets where families pay extra for walkability to shops and restaurants. West Berkeley is your relative bargain at $800K-$1.3M, the industrial-turned-residential area near Fourth Street where you might actually find something under the jumbo threshold if you're lucky. Even at the low end here, you're looking at $160K down for 20%, and most lenders want to see reserves covering six months of payments on loans this size.
BART access is huge for property values here. Downtown Berkeley, North Berkeley, and Ashby stations put you 28 minutes from San Francisco and 14 minutes from Oakland without touching a car. That transit connection is partly why Berkeley commands these prices while other East Bay cities sit lower. I-80 runs straight through for driving to SF, and I-580 connects you to the South Bay, though that San Jose commute still hits 59 minutes. If you work at UC Berkeley or Lawrence Berkeley Lab, you can walk or bike from most neighborhoods, which matters when you're calculating true cost of ownership. The ability to be a one-car household in Berkeley can save you $800+ monthly, which helps offset that jumbo loan payment.
UC Berkeley dominates employment here with over 15,000 employees, and that university presence creates unusual market stability. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory adds high-paying research jobs, Berkeley Unified School District provides public sector employment, and Alta Bates Summit Medical Center anchors healthcare. City of Berkeley and Bayer HealthCare round out major employers. The job mix skews heavily toward education, research, and healthcare, which means steady employment but also means you're competing with other high earners for limited housing stock. Real talk: if you don't work for Cal or in tech, buying here is tough unless you've got equity from another property or family money for the down payment. The market assumes dual income households earning well into six figures.
Common questions from Berkeley 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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley: Conventional (3% down), FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% for veterans), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program covering your entire down payment. Many Berkeley buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified Berkeley 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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
For Berkeley'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 Berkeley. 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 Berkeley. 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 Berkeley. 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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley: Conventional (3% down), FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% for veterans), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program covering your entire down payment. Many Berkeley buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
A denial doesn't mean you can't buy in Berkeley. 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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified Berkeley 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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley families purchase with minimal upfront cash.
Absolutely—first-time buyers are our specialty in Berkeley. 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 Berkeley. 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 Berkeley'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 Berkeley (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. Berkeley's median home price is $1.26M, 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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley's median price of $1.26M, 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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