Mortgage broker serving Gardena, 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 Gardena buyers, we match your unique situation to the right program.
In Gardena's market, the right loan program can save thousands over the life of your mortgage.
We've spent 40+ years solving these exact challenges.
We're here to help match you with the perfect loan program for your Gardena 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 Gardena home. We coordinate everything to make closing day smooth and stress-free.
Finding the right home loan in Gardena starts with understanding your options. We've streamlined hundreds of mortgage programs into 8 clear categories for Gardena 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 Gardena 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 Gardena 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 Gardena buyers. Most homes under $1.25M with competitive rates.
Strong FHA option in Gardena. Low down payment gets you into most properties here.
$0 down for Gardena veterans. VA loans cover all properties with no PMI required.
Gardena business owners qualify on deposits. Tax write-offs reduce income on paper. Bank statements show reality.
CalHFA programs popular in Gardena. State assistance helps with down payment and closing costs.
Premium Gardena homes over $1.25M require jumbo loans. Less common but available for luxury properties.
Gardena sellers can buy first with bridge loans. Short-term financing until sale closes.
LLC financing options for Gardena investors. Buy rentals in entity names.
Conforming refinance for Gardena homeowners. Best rates for loans under $1.25M.
FHA streamline refinance for Gardena. Easiest way to lower your existing FHA rate.
VA streamline refi for Gardena veterans. Fastest way to reduce your mortgage payment.
Turn Gardena home equity into cash. Refinance at competitive rates for home improvements or debt.
HELOC available for Gardena homeowners. Access equity without replacing first mortgage.
Gardena owners can get home equity loans. Fixed rate for predictable payments.
DSCR loans work for Gardena investment properties. Cash flow analysis replaces income docs.
Fix-and-flip available for Gardena projects. Short-term financing for value-add investments.
Multifamily options for Gardena investors. Finance apartment buildings with commercial loans.
Gardena 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 Gardena buyers with qualifying income.
CalHFA programs popular in Gardena. State assistance helps with down payment and closing costs.
Gardena has local down payment programs. Combine with CalHFA for maximum assistance.
Elite grant available for Gardena buyers. Down payment assistance with no repayment.
Gardena family sales can use gift of equity. Equity difference becomes down payment.
Add a co-borrower for Gardena 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
Gardena sits in the South Bay, about 14 miles south of downtown LA. Population is 60,377, median household income $75,443. The homeownership rate here is 49%, below the state average, which tells you this is a market where buyers compete with investors and renters. At $740K median home price, you're looking at a gateway into the South Bay that's more accessible than Torrance or Manhattan Beach, but you'll still need solid income and down payment to qualify.
If you've got kids, the school ratings matter for both your family and your resale value down the line. Chapman Elementary pulls a 7, which is decent for the area. Peary Middle and Gardena High both sit at 6, not the highest scores but stable and improving. The real play here is proximity to El Camino College, which gives your kids a solid community college option without leaving home. Families who buy in Strawberry Park and West Gardena tend to stay put, banking on the neighborhood stability more than test scores. That lower homeownership rate means you're competing with rental properties, so finding a motivated seller in a family-focused pocket can get you better terms.
Where you buy in Gardena changes your financing strategy completely. Downtown Gardena runs $680K-$780K, mixed-use buildings and condos close to transit, popular with first-timers using FHA or conventional loans with lower down payments. Strawberry Park hits $720K-$820K, mostly single-family homes on quiet streets, families here typically go conventional with 10-20% down to avoid PMI on properties they plan to keep long-term. West Gardena pushes $750K-$850K, tree-lined streets with post-war homes and newer builds, you'll see conventional and some jumbo loans depending on the property. East Gardena offers the entry point at $690K-$790K, mix of condos and single-family homes, attracts investors and buyers stretching their budget, FHA and conventional loans both work here. The spread between neighborhoods isn't huge, but that $100K-$150K difference can mean qualifying or not at your income level.
Here's the thing about Gardena: the location is what you're really paying for. You're 28 minutes to downtown LA, 27 to Santa Monica, 20 to Long Beach, 41 to Irvine. That's South Bay access without South Bay waterfront prices. Local transit runs through the city, and you've got the 110 and 405 nearby even though you're not right on a major highway. If you work anywhere in the LA basin or South Bay, your commute stays under 45 minutes most days. That's why the $740K median holds up even when the homeownership rate stays low. You're buying convenience, and lenders know properties here hold value because of it.
The employer mix here keeps the local economy steady, which matters when you're looking at long-term property values. Target Distribution Center, In-N-Out Burger Corporate, Toyota Motor Sales, and Mitsubishi Motors all have major operations in Gardena. Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and Gardena Valley Medical Center add healthcare jobs that don't disappear in recessions. You've got blue-collar distribution work, white-collar corporate jobs, and healthcare all in one city. That diversity means the housing market doesn't tank when one industry struggles. Buyers here either work locally or commute to better-paying jobs in LA or the beach cities, then come home to a mortgage payment that's high but manageable compared to coastal alternatives.
Common questions from Gardena 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 Gardena 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 Gardena: Conventional (3% down), FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% for veterans), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program covering your entire down payment. Many Gardena buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified Gardena 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 Gardena 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 Gardena families purchase with minimal upfront cash.
2026 Los Angeles County limits: FHA $1,249,125, Conventional $1,249,125. Any loan above $1,249,125 is a jumbo loan. Most Gardena properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
For Gardena'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 Gardena. 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 Gardena. We guide you through the entire process, help you understand FHA vs conventional vs VA options, identify all available down payment assistance in Los Angeles County, and structure your purchase to minimize upfront costs.
You still have options in Gardena. 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 Los Angeles County expertise, same-day underwriting decisions, and flexibility to solve complex situations that algorithm-based lenders decline.
Closing costs in Gardena 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 Gardena: Conventional (3% down), FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% for veterans), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program covering your entire down payment. Many Gardena buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
A denial doesn't mean you can't buy in Gardena. 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 Los Angeles County expertise, same-day underwriting decisions, and flexibility to solve complex situations that algorithm-based lenders decline.
Closing costs in Gardena 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 Gardena 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 Los Angeles County limits: FHA $1,249,125, Conventional $1,249,125. Any loan above $1,249,125 is a jumbo loan. Most Gardena properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified Gardena 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 Gardena 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 Gardena families purchase with minimal upfront cash.
Absolutely—first-time buyers are our specialty in Gardena. We guide you through the entire process, help you understand FHA vs conventional vs VA options, identify all available down payment assistance in Los Angeles County, and structure your purchase to minimize upfront costs.
You still have options in Gardena. 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 Gardena'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 FHA loan limit in Gardena is $1,250,000 for 2025, which covers most homes in the area since the median price is around $740K. This higher limit makes FHA loans a competitive option for first. time buyers and those with smaller down payments in Los Angeles County. You'll need a minimum 3.5% down payment and a credit score of at least 580 to qualify.
Most buyers in Gardena won't need a jumbo loan since the conforming loan limit is $1,250,000 and the median home price is $740K. You'd only need a jumbo loan if you're purchasing a home above $1.25 million, which represents the higher end of Gardena's market. The majority of homes in the $600K to $900K range qualify for conventional, FHA, or VA financing.
For 2025, Los Angeles County loan limits are $1,250,000 for conforming, FHA, and VA loans. These limits apply to Gardena and surrounding areas, covering most single. family home purchases in the region. The 2026 limits haven't been announced yet, but they're typically released in November 2025 and may adjust based on home price trends.
Yes, VA loans are very competitive in Gardena with a loan limit of $1,250,000 and no down payment required for eligible veterans and service members. With the median home price at $740K, most properties fall well within VA loan limits. VA loans also don't require mortgage insurance, which can save you hundreds of dollars monthly compared to other loan types.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified buyers, making homeownership immediately accessible in Gardena's market. Additionally, CalHFA offers down payment assistance up to 3.5% of the purchase price, and Los Angeles County has programs specifically for first. time buyers and moderate. income households. With a median income of $75,443, many Gardena buyers qualify for multiple assistance options that can be combined with FHA or conventional loans.
Down payment requirements in Gardena vary by loan type: conventional loans start at 3% ($22,200 on a $740K home), FHA requires 3.5% ($25,900), and VA or USDA loans offer $0 down for eligible buyers. With median home prices around $740K, many buyers use down payment assistance programs to reduce their upfront costs. A 20% down payment ($148,000) eliminates mortgage insurance but isn't required for most loan programs.
Most lenders in Gardena require a minimum credit score of 620 for conventional loans, while FHA loans accept scores as low as 580 (or even 500 with 10% down). With the area's balanced market and median home price of $740K, a score of 640 or higher will give you access to better rates and more loan options. VA loans are often more flexible with credit, focusing on your overall financial picture rather than just your score.
Look for a lender experienced with Gardena's market and the $600K to $900K price range who can offer multiple loan options including FHA, VA, and conventional programs. Compare rates, but also consider closing costs, responsiveness, and whether they offer down payment assistance programs that fit your situation. A good lender will understand Los Angeles County's competitive market and be able to close quickly, which matters when you're making offers in a balanced market.
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