Mortgage broker serving Emeryville, 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 Emeryville buyers, we match your unique situation to the right program.
Emeryville provides attainable homeownership, but buyers face specific financing challenges.
We've spent 40+ years solving these exact challenges.
We're here to help match you with the perfect loan program for your Emeryville 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 Emeryville home. We coordinate everything to make closing day smooth and stress-free.
Finding the right home loan in Emeryville starts with understanding your options. We've streamlined hundreds of mortgage programs into 8 clear categories for Emeryville 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 Emeryville 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 Emeryville homebuyers. Compare options and find your best fit.
| Loan Type | Down Payment | Credit Score | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| No Down Payment Program Featured | $0 (3.5% grant) | 580+ | Any buyer - grant covers FHA or Conventional down payment, forgiven after 6 payments |
| Conventional | 3-20% | 620+ | Good credit, stable income. Max: $1,249,125 |
| FHA | 3.5% minimum | 580+ | First-time buyers with limited savings |
| VA | $0 | No minimum | Veterans, active military, surviving spouses |
| Jumbo | 15-20% | 680+ | Properties exceeding $1,249,125 |
| Bank Statement | 10-20% | 660+ | Self-employed buyers who write off business expenses |
| DSCR | 20-25% | 660+ | Rental income properties, real estate investors |
| Reverse Mortgage | N/A | No minimum | Homeowners 62+ tapping equity without payments |
Questions? Call (510) 589-4096 or email info@agoodlender.com
Standard option for Emeryville buyers. Most homes under $1.25M with competitive rates.
Strong FHA option in Emeryville. Low down payment gets you into most properties here.
$0 down for Emeryville veterans. VA loans cover all properties with no PMI required.
Emeryville business owners qualify on deposits. Tax write-offs reduce income on paper. Bank statements show reality.
CalHFA programs popular in Emeryville. State assistance helps with down payment and closing costs.
Premium Emeryville homes over $1.25M require jumbo loans. Less common but available for luxury properties.
Emeryville sellers can buy first with bridge loans. Short-term financing until sale closes.
LLC financing options for Emeryville investors. Buy rentals in entity names.
Conforming refinance for Emeryville homeowners. Best rates for loans under $1.25M.
FHA streamline refinance for Emeryville. Easiest way to lower your existing FHA rate.
VA streamline refi for Emeryville veterans. Fastest way to reduce your mortgage payment.
Turn Emeryville home equity into cash. Refinance at competitive rates for home improvements or debt.
HELOC available for Emeryville homeowners. Access equity without replacing first mortgage.
Emeryville owners can get home equity loans. Fixed rate for predictable payments.
DSCR loans work for Emeryville investment properties. Cash flow analysis replaces income docs.
Fix-and-flip available for Emeryville projects. Short-term financing for value-add investments.
Multifamily options for Emeryville investors. Finance apartment buildings with commercial loans.
Emeryville investors use hard money for quick closes. Higher rate but fast funding.
Buy a home with zero down payment. Our lenders cover your entire down payment through grant programs. No repayment required. Available for Emeryville buyers with qualifying income.
CalHFA programs popular in Emeryville. State assistance helps with down payment and closing costs.
Emeryville has local down payment programs. Combine with CalHFA for maximum assistance.
Elite grant available for Emeryville buyers. Down payment assistance with no repayment.
Emeryville family sales can use gift of equity. Equity difference becomes down payment.
Add a co-borrower for Emeryville purchases. Family member income boosts qualification.
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
Emeryville sits right between Oakland and Berkeley on the bay, just 1.7 square miles with 13,912 people. Median household income is $120,302, but the homeownership rate is only 30.4%. That's the Bay Area reality. At $600K median home price, you're mostly looking at condos and lofts, not single-family homes. But here's the thing: that price point gets you a 20-minute commute to San Francisco and 13 minutes to Oakland, which is why buyers who can swing the down payment keep coming back.
The school situation is straightforward because Emeryville only has two schools. Anna Yates Elementary serves K-8, and Emery Secondary handles high school. The district is small, which means tight-knit but limited options. Most families buying here either have young kids and plan to reassess later, or they're banking on private schools in Oakland or Berkeley. The low homeownership rate tells you this isn't primarily a family town. It's more young professionals and empty nesters who want walkability and a short commute. If schools are your top priority, you'll want to factor private school tuition into your debt-to-income ratio when you're getting pre-approved.
Bay Street District runs $450K-$750K, mostly modern condos within walking distance of shopping, restaurants, and a movie theater. Conventional loans work fine here, and HOA fees typically run $400-$600 monthly, so factor that into your housing payment. Emery Station goes $500K-$800K, built around the Amtrak station with transit access baked in. You're paying a premium for the commute convenience, and lenders will count your HOA dues when calculating your debt ratio. North Hollis is the higher end at $550K-$900K, converted industrial lofts and live-work spaces that attract creatives and tech workers. Jumbo loans are common once you're above $766,550, and you'll need solid income documentation and reserves. The whole city is basically urban infill, so don't expect yards or garages in most cases.
The commute is the main selling point. San Francisco is 20 minutes via I-80, Oakland is 13 minutes, San Jose 54 minutes, Palo Alto 48 minutes. You've got I-80, I-580, and I-880 all converging here, plus Amtrak Capitol Corridor and AC Transit. The Emery Go-Round shuttle connects you to MacArthur BART for free. If you work in tech or biotech anywhere in the Bay, you can get there without the soul-crushing commute that comes with living in Tracy or Antioch. That's why people pay $600K for a two-bedroom condo. You're buying time, and time is money when you're pulling down six figures but want some semblance of work-life balance.
Pixar Animation Studios is the big name, but Novartis, Peet's Coffee headquarters, and Clif Bar all have major operations here. Bay Street Emeryville itself is a huge retail and entertainment hub that employs a lot of people. The job base is diverse: tech, biotech, food manufacturing, retail, corporate offices. Real talk, most buyers here work in San Francisco or Oakland and choose Emeryville for the location, not because they work in town. But having Pixar and Novartis here means property values stay stable even when other parts of the Bay Area fluctuate. Lenders like seeing employment diversity when they're underwriting loans in a small city like this.
Common questions from Emeryville 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 Emeryville 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 Emeryville: Conventional (3% down), FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% for veterans), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program covering your entire down payment. Many Emeryville buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified Emeryville 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 Emeryville 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 Emeryville 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 Emeryville properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
For Emeryville'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 Emeryville. 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 Emeryville. 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 Emeryville. 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 Emeryville 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 Emeryville: Conventional (3% down), FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% for veterans), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program covering your entire down payment. Many Emeryville buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
A denial doesn't mean you can't buy in Emeryville. 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 Emeryville 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 Emeryville 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 Emeryville properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified Emeryville 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 Emeryville 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 Emeryville families purchase with minimal upfront cash.
Absolutely—first-time buyers are our specialty in Emeryville. 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 Emeryville. 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 Emeryville'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 Emeryville (Alameda County) is $1.25M for a single-family home. This is a undefined 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. Emeryville's median home price is $600K, 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 Emeryville 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 Emeryville's median price of $600K, 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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