Mortgage broker serving Gustine, 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 Gustine buyers, we match your unique situation to the right program.
Gustine provides affordable options for buyers who leverage the right loan programs.
We've spent 40+ years solving these exact challenges.
We're here to help match you with the perfect loan program for your Gustine 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 Gustine home. We coordinate everything to make closing day smooth and stress-free.
Finding the right home loan in Gustine starts with understanding your options. We've streamlined hundreds of mortgage programs into 8 clear categories for Gustine 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 Gustine 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 Gustine 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 |
| FHA | 3.5% minimum | 580+ | First-time buyers, lower credit. Limit: $832,750 |
| VA | $0 | No minimum | Veterans, active military - best 0% down option |
| Down Payment Assistance | $0 (grant covers 3-3.5%) | 640+ | First-time Gustine buyers, income-qualified |
| Conventional | 3% | 620+ | Good credit, faster closing than FHA |
Questions? Call (510) 589-4096 or email info@agoodlender.com
USDA loans are ideal for Gustine. Zero down payment for rural properties. Income limits apply.
Most Gustine buyers use FHA. 3.5% down payment with 580+ credit. Easiest path to homeownership.
CalHFA plus local DPA can cover full down payment in Gustine. Stack programs for maximum assistance.
VA loans are perfect for Gustine. Zero down, no PMI, and every property qualifies.
Maximum local DPA available in Gustine. Combine city, county, and state programs.
Every Gustine home qualifies for conforming financing. Best rates with good credit.
Bridge loans help Gustine owners transition between homes. Short-term gap financing.
Gustine investors use LLC financing. Entity ownership for asset protection.
USDA streamline refinance for Gustine. Lower your rate with minimal paperwork.
Most Gustine refinances use FHA streamline. No appraisal, no income docs, fast closing.
Gustine veterans should use VA IRRRL. Streamline your refinance with zero hassle.
Conforming refinance rates for all Gustine properties. Straightforward rate-and-term refi.
Cash-out refinance available for Gustine homeowners. Convert equity to cash for any need.
Home equity loans available in Gustine. Fixed rate second mortgage against equity.
Investment properties in Gustine use DSCR loans. Rental income drives qualification.
Rehab loans available in Gustine. Fix-and-flip financing covers purchase plus renovation.
Hard money available for Gustine deals. Fast closing for investment properties.
Gustine apartment buildings use multifamily financing. Commercial loan programs available.
Buy a home with zero down payment. Our lenders cover your entire down payment through grant programs. No repayment required. Available for Gustine buyers with qualifying income.
USDA loans are ideal for Gustine. Zero down payment for rural properties. Income limits apply.
CalHFA plus local DPA can cover full down payment in Gustine. Stack programs for maximum assistance.
Maximum local DPA available in Gustine. Combine city, county, and state programs.
Maximum grant assistance for Gustine. Elite and local programs reduce buyer costs.
Gift of equity works for Gustine family sales. Seller discount becomes buyer's down payment.
Co-borrower option for Gustine buyers. Family member can help you qualify.
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
Gustine sits in the heart of Merced County's agricultural belt, about an hour from Stockton and 90 minutes from Fresno. Population is 6,122, median household income $51,636. The homeownership rate here is 50.9%, right at the state's rental-owner split, and the $263,500 median home price tells you why people can actually afford to buy. This is one of the last true small-town Central Valley markets where a household earning around $50K can still qualify for a mortgage without stretching every dollar.
When you're buying in a town this size, you've got one high school, one middle school, and Romero Elementary serving most families. The district is small enough that everyone knows the teachers and the superintendent actually lives in town. That stability matters when you're thinking about raising kids here for the long haul. The schools aren't going to blow you away with test scores compared to coastal suburbs, but they're steady and the community supports them. For buyers with kids, the real value is affordability that lets one parent stay home or work part-time without losing the house. Your mortgage payment won't force both parents into hour-plus commutes just to make ends meet.
Here's the thing about Gustine. You're not getting a bunch of master-planned subdivisions with HOA fees and three floor plans to choose from. Downtown Gustine runs around $264K median, which covers most of the housing stock in town. You'll find older homes from the 40s through 80s, some fixer-uppers, some updated ranches on decent lots. FHA and conventional loans both work fine at this price point, and you'll see plenty of first-time buyers using FHA with 3.5% down to get in. The town doesn't have the neighborhood-by-neighborhood price jumps you see in bigger markets. What you pay depends more on condition and lot size than which street you're on.
Gustine doesn't sit on a major highway, which is exactly why it's stayed affordable while places along I-5 and 99 have climbed. You're looking at 61 minutes to Stockton, 91 to Fresno, nearly three hours to Bakersfield. That commute reality keeps prices in check. If you work in agriculture or locally, you've got a short drive and a mortgage payment that won't crush you. If you're commuting to the Bay Area or even Modesto regularly, you'll want to think hard about that drive before you buy. The trade-off is real. You get small-town living and actual affordability, but you're not hopping on a freeway to anywhere major.
The economy here runs on agriculture and the people who support it. Gustine Unified School District is the largest employer, giving you that public sector stability with benefits. Agricultural operations and dairies dominate the private sector, which means the job market rises and falls with crop prices and water availability. City of Gustine provides local government jobs, and you've got your typical small-town retail and service businesses. Real talk, most buyers here either work in ag, work for the schools, or commute out to Modesto or Los Banos for better-paying jobs. The income levels reflect that reality, but so do the home prices. You're not competing with tech workers for houses.
Common questions from Gustine 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 Gustine 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 Gustine: Conventional (3% down), FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% for veterans), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program covering your entire down payment. Many Gustine buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified Gustine 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 Gustine 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 Gustine families purchase with minimal upfront cash.
2026 Merced County limits: FHA $541,287, Conventional $832,750. Any loan above $832,750 is a jumbo loan. Most Gustine properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
For Gustine'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 Gustine. 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 Gustine. We guide you through the entire process, help you understand FHA vs conventional vs VA options, identify all available down payment assistance in Merced County, and structure your purchase to minimize upfront costs.
You still have options in Gustine. 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 Merced County expertise, same-day underwriting decisions, and flexibility to solve complex situations that algorithm-based lenders decline.
Closing costs in Gustine 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 Gustine: Conventional (3% down), FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% for veterans), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program covering your entire down payment. Many Gustine buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
A denial doesn't mean you can't buy in Gustine. 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 Merced County expertise, same-day underwriting decisions, and flexibility to solve complex situations that algorithm-based lenders decline.
Closing costs in Gustine 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 Gustine 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 Merced County limits: FHA $541,287, Conventional $832,750. Any loan above $832,750 is a jumbo loan. Most Gustine properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified Gustine 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 Gustine 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 Gustine families purchase with minimal upfront cash.
Absolutely—first-time buyers are our specialty in Gustine. We guide you through the entire process, help you understand FHA vs conventional vs VA options, identify all available down payment assistance in Merced County, and structure your purchase to minimize upfront costs.
You still have options in Gustine. 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 Gustine'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 Gustine is $541,300 for 2025, which is well above the town's median home price of $264,000. This means you can use an FHA loan with just 3.5% down for virtually any home in Gustine. FHA loans are popular here for buyers with credit scores as low as 580.
You won't need a jumbo loan in Gustine since the median home price is $264,000 and the conforming loan limit is $833,950. Homes here are affordable enough that standard FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans will cover your purchase. Jumbo loans are only needed for properties exceeding $833,950, which are extremely rare in this rural market.
For 2026, Merced County loan limits are $833,950 for conforming and VA loans, and $541,300 for FHA loans. These limits are more than adequate for Gustine's affordable housing market where most homes sell well under $300,000. USDA loans don't have a set maximum but are based on your income and the home's location in eligible rural areas.
Yes, VA loans are available in Gustine with a loan limit of $833,950 and no down payment required for eligible veterans and service members. With the median home price at $264,000, you'll have plenty of borrowing power. VA loans don't require mortgage insurance, which can save you significantly compared to FHA or conventional loans with low down payments.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified buyers in Gustine, making homeownership immediately accessible. USDA loans are excellent here since Gustine is in an eligible rural area, offering zero down for income. qualified buyers. CalHFA MyHome Assistance Program and Merced County housing programs can also provide down payment and closing cost grants, particularly helpful for first. time buyers earning around the area's median income of $51,636.
You can buy a home in Gustine with as little as $0 down using USDA or VA loans, or 3.5% down with FHA (about $9,240 on a $264,000 home). Conventional loans require 3% to 5% down for most buyers. Given Gustine's rural location and affordable prices, USDA zero. down loans are often the best fit for budget. conscious buyers who meet income requirements.
You can qualify for a home in Gustine with a credit score as low as 580 for FHA loans or 640 for USDA and many conventional loans. VA loans can sometimes approve scores in the 580. 620 range depending on the lender. With the area's median home price at $264,000, lenders are often flexible with rural buyers who show stable income and reasonable debt levels.
Choose a lender experienced with USDA and rural financing in Merced County, since these programs offer the best terms for Gustine's affordable market. Look for lenders who can compare FHA, USDA, VA, and down payment assistance options side by side based on your specific situation. Local knowledge matters in rural areas like Gustine where property eligibility and income limits can affect your loan options.
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