Mortgage broker serving Castro Valley, 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 Castro Valley buyers, we match your unique situation to the right program.
Castro Valley buyers navigate properties near the $1.25M conforming limit, where loan structure impacts rates significantly.
We've spent 40+ years solving these exact challenges.
We're here to help match you with the perfect loan program for your Castro Valley 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 Castro Valley home. We coordinate everything to make closing day smooth and stress-free.
Finding the right home loan in Castro Valley starts with understanding your options. We've streamlined hundreds of mortgage programs into 8 clear categories for Castro Valley 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 Castro Valley 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 Castro Valley 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 Castro Valley home equity |
Questions? Call (510) 589-4096 or email info@agoodlender.com
Most Castro Valley homes qualify for conforming loans under $1.25M. Best rates with 3-20% down.
Veterans buy in Castro Valley with nothing down. VA loans up to $1.25M with no mortgage insurance.
FHA loans popular for Castro Valley first-timers. 3.5% down, 580 credit minimum.
Higher-end Castro Valley properties may exceed $1.25M. Jumbo financing available when needed.
Bank statement loans work for Castro Valley's self-employed buyers. 12-24 months of deposits qualify you.
CalHFA MyHome provides up to 3.5% down payment assistance for Castro Valley buyers.
Bridge loans help Castro Valley buyers compete. Make non-contingent offers while selling current home.
Castro Valley investment properties in LLC. Entity financing available for investors.
Most Castro Valley mortgages qualify for conforming refinance. Lower your rate under the limit.
Castro Valley homeowners tap equity with cash-out refinance. Consolidate debt or fund renovations.
Veterans in Castro Valley refinance with VA IRRRL. No appraisal, no income verification.
Castro Valley HELOC options for home equity access. Credit line with variable rate draw period.
Castro Valley FHA borrowers can streamline refinance. No income verification or appraisal required.
Home equity loan option for Castro Valley. Fixed payments unlike variable HELOC.
Castro Valley rental investors use DSCR loans. Property income determines qualification, not W-2s.
Renovation investors in Castro Valley use fix-and-flip financing. Purchase plus rehab in one loan.
Castro Valley apartment financing available. Multifamily loans for 5+ unit buildings.
Commercial hard money in Castro Valley. 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 Castro Valley buyers with qualifying income.
CalHFA MyHome provides up to 3.5% down payment assistance for Castro Valley buyers.
Local Castro Valley DPA programs supplement state assistance. City grants reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Castro Valley buyers check Elite grant eligibility. Grant funds reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Gift of equity option for Castro Valley family purchases. Parents selling to children at discount.
Castro Valley 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
Castro Valley sits in the East Bay hills between [Oakland](/mortgage-loans-and-refinance-in-oakland-ca) and the Tri-Valley, right off I-580. Population is 64,392, median household income $120K. The homeownership rate here is 72.5%, which tells you something important: people who buy here tend to stay. At $1.07M median home price, you're paying a premium over the Central Valley or even parts of the South Bay, but you're getting BART access and top-tier schools without San Francisco or Peninsula pricing. For a household pulling in $120-150K, this is one of the last places in the inner Bay Area where you can still land a single-family home with a conventional loan and not completely drain your savings.
The schools are the main reason families stretch their budgets to buy here instead of somewhere cheaper further out. Castro Valley High and Redwood High both pull strong ratings, and Creekside Middle consistently scores well. When you're looking at a $1M+ mortgage, you want to know your kids are getting their money's worth and that resale value will hold when they graduate. That 72.5% ownership rate means most families around you have made the same calculation and committed long-term. The school quality directly impacts your appraisal and how easy it'll be to sell down the road.
Where you buy in Castro Valley determines whether you're using conventional, jumbo, or need to get creative with your financing. Five Canyons runs $1.2M-$1.8M, hillside properties with newer construction and open space views. You're looking at jumbo territory here, so you'll need strong credit and at least 20% down. Downtown Castro Valley near BART is the relative bargain at $800K-$1.1M, older homes but you can walk to the station and actually use transit. Conventional loans work if you're at the lower end. Fairview sits at $900K-$1.3M, established family neighborhood with good bones, and Proctor Valley offers ranch-style homes on bigger lots for $1M-$1.5M. Most buyers in Proctor are trading up from smaller Bay Area homes and using equity to avoid jumbo rates.
Here's the thing about Castro Valley: the BART station changes everything for your commute math. You're 21 minutes to Oakland, 35 to San Francisco on a good run. That's why homes near the station command premium pricing even when they're older. I-580 gets you to San Jose in 45 minutes or Palo Alto in 36 if you're working in tech down south. The commute isn't nothing, but it's manageable enough that you're not losing two hours a day like you would from Tracy or Stockton. And that difference shows up in property values. You're paying more per square foot than the Central Valley, but your home will appreciate faster and sell quicker when the time comes.
Castro Valley Unified School District is the biggest employer, followed by Eden Medical Center and various [Alameda](/mortgage-loans-and-refinance-in-alameda-ca) County offices. But real talk, most people buying here don't work locally. They're commuting to Oakland, San Francisco, or South Bay tech jobs and choosing Castro Valley for the schools and the slightly lower cost compared to Piedmont or Walnut Creek. The local economy is stable with retail and services supporting the residential base, which matters for your property value. You're not buying in a boom-bust economy tied to one industry. The mix of public sector jobs and commuters with tech money keeps things steady even when the broader market wobbles.
Common questions from Castro Valley 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 Castro Valley 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 Castro Valley: Conventional (3% down), FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% for veterans), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program covering your entire down payment. Many Castro Valley buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified Castro Valley 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 Castro Valley 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 Castro Valley 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 Castro Valley properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
For Castro Valley'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 Castro Valley. 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 Castro Valley. 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 Castro Valley. 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 Castro Valley 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 Castro Valley: Conventional (3% down), FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% for veterans), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program covering your entire down payment. Many Castro Valley buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
A denial doesn't mean you can't buy in Castro Valley. 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 Castro Valley 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 Castro Valley 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 Castro Valley properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified Castro Valley 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 Castro Valley 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 Castro Valley families purchase with minimal upfront cash.
Absolutely—first-time buyers are our specialty in Castro Valley. 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 Castro Valley. 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 Castro Valley'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 Castro Valley (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. Castro Valley's median home price is $1.07M, 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 Castro Valley 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 Castro Valley's median price of $1.07M, 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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