Mortgage broker serving Hayward, 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 Hayward buyers, we match your unique situation to the right program.
Hayward offers solid value, but buyers still need strategic financing to compete effectively.
We've spent 40+ years solving these exact challenges.
We're here to help match you with the perfect loan program for your Hayward 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 Hayward home. We coordinate everything to make closing day smooth and stress-free.
Finding the right home loan in Hayward starts with understanding your options. We've streamlined hundreds of mortgage programs into 8 clear categories for Hayward 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 Hayward 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 Hayward 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 Hayward buyers. Most homes under $1.25M with competitive rates.
Strong FHA option in Hayward. Low down payment gets you into most properties here.
$0 down for Hayward veterans. VA loans cover all properties with no PMI required.
Hayward business owners qualify on deposits. Tax write-offs reduce income on paper. Bank statements show reality.
CalHFA programs popular in Hayward. State assistance helps with down payment and closing costs.
Premium Hayward homes over $1.25M require jumbo loans. Less common but available for luxury properties.
Hayward sellers can buy first with bridge loans. Short-term financing until sale closes.
LLC financing options for Hayward investors. Buy rentals in entity names.
Conforming refinance for Hayward homeowners. Best rates for loans under $1.25M.
FHA streamline refinance for Hayward. Easiest way to lower your existing FHA rate.
VA streamline refi for Hayward veterans. Fastest way to reduce your mortgage payment.
Turn Hayward home equity into cash. Refinance at competitive rates for home improvements or debt.
HELOC available for Hayward homeowners. Access equity without replacing first mortgage.
Hayward owners can get home equity loans. Fixed rate for predictable payments.
DSCR loans work for Hayward investment properties. Cash flow analysis replaces income docs.
Fix-and-flip available for Hayward projects. Short-term financing for value-add investments.
Multifamily options for Hayward investors. Finance apartment buildings with commercial loans.
Hayward 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 Hayward buyers with qualifying income.
CalHFA programs popular in Hayward. State assistance helps with down payment and closing costs.
Hayward has local down payment programs. Combine with CalHFA for maximum assistance.
Elite grant available for Hayward buyers. Down payment assistance with no repayment.
Hayward family sales can use gift of equity. Equity difference becomes down payment.
Add a co-borrower for Hayward 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
Hayward sits right in the middle of the East Bay with 162,954 people, about 25 miles southeast of San Francisco. Median household income is $95,000, homeownership rate 52.3%, and median home price $820,000. Here's the thing: you're paying Bay Area prices, but you're getting better value than most of Alameda County. A household pulling in $95K can actually qualify for a conventional loan on a condo or townhome in Downtown Hayward, and with two incomes in the $120K-$150K range, you're looking at single-family homes in Harder-Tennyson or Fairway Park. It's one of the last spots in the inner Bay Area where middle-income earners can still buy without going jumbo or stretching to dangerous debt ratios.
If you've got kids or you're planning to, the school ratings matter for both your quality of life and your resale value down the road. Moreau Catholic High pulls an 8, Mt. Eden High a 7, Tennyson High a 6, and Bowman Elementary a 7. Not the top-tier scores you'll find in Fremont or Dublin, but solid enough that families aren't fleeing the district. The truth is, when you're comparing Hayward to other sub-$900K markets in the Bay Area, these ratings hold up fine. Buyers with school-age kids tend to target Fairway Park and Eden Area where the elementary feeders are stronger, and that demand keeps those neighborhoods in the $750K-$1.1M range even when the broader market softens.
Where you buy in Hayward changes your loan strategy and your monthly payment by a lot. Downtown Hayward runs $650K-$850K, mostly condos and townhomes with some historic single-families mixed in. FHA and conventional loans with lower down payments work well here for first-timers who want walkability and BART access. Harder-Tennyson offers mid-century single-families at $700K-$900K, tree-lined streets, and it's where you'll see a lot of conventional financing with 10-20% down from families trading up from apartments. Fairway Park sits at $750K-$950K near the golf course, popular with families who want yards and good schools. Conventional loans dominate there. Eden Area pushes $800K-$1.1M with ranch-style homes and strong schools, attracts Silicon Valley commuters who can handle the higher price point. Hayward Hills is the premium play at $900K-$1.4M with custom homes and views, and you're often looking at jumbo loans once you cross $1.076M. Your down payment and income level really determine which neighborhood makes sense, and your lender should be walking you through that math before you start touring homes.
Hayward's got two BART stations, Hayward and South Hayward, which is huge if you're commuting to San Francisco or Oakland without wanting to sit in traffic twice a day. The train gets you to downtown SF in about 45 minutes, Oakland in 20. If you're driving, I-880 runs north-south through town, I-580 connects you east toward the valley, and CA-92 takes you west over the San Mateo Bridge to the Peninsula. Commute times run about 36 minutes to San Francisco, 22 to Oakland, 43 to San Jose, 36 to Palo Alto. Real talk, that BART access is why Downtown Hayward and neighborhoods near the stations hold value even when the market dips. If you work in tech on the Peninsula or in the city, you can actually live here without destroying your life with a commute, and that's worth a lot when you're deciding between Hayward at $820K and Tracy at $650K but two hours from your office.
Cal State East Bay is the big employer here, along with Hayward Unified School District, St. Rose Hospital, and the City of Hayward itself. Amazon's got a fulfillment center that brought a bunch of logistics jobs, and Loop AI Labs adds some tech presence. The job base is more diverse than a lot of Bay Area suburbs, mix of education, healthcare, public sector, and warehouse distribution. Most buyers working locally are in education or healthcare pulling $80K-$120K, which puts them in the condo and townhome market downtown or the lower end of single-family in Harder-Tennyson. But a lot of Hayward buyers commute to higher-paying jobs in Silicon Valley, San Francisco, or Oakland, and they're using that $150K-$200K household income to buy in Fairway Park or Eden Area. Your job location and income really drive what you can afford here, and if you're stretching to buy, make sure your commute is sustainable long-term because that's what keeps you in the house.
Common questions from Hayward 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 Hayward 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 Hayward: Conventional (3% down), FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% for veterans), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program covering your entire down payment. Many Hayward buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified Hayward 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 Hayward 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 Hayward 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 Hayward properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
For Hayward'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 Hayward. 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 Hayward. 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 Hayward. 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 Hayward 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 Hayward: Conventional (3% down), FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% for veterans), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program covering your entire down payment. Many Hayward buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
A denial doesn't mean you can't buy in Hayward. 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 Hayward 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 Hayward 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 Hayward properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified Hayward 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 Hayward 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 Hayward families purchase with minimal upfront cash.
Absolutely—first-time buyers are our specialty in Hayward. 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 Hayward. 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 Hayward'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 Hayward (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. Hayward's median home price is $820K, 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 Hayward 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 Hayward's median price of $820K, 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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