Mortgage broker serving Lincoln, 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 Lincoln buyers, we match your unique situation to the right program.
Lincoln's competitive market demands strong pre-approval and flexible loan options.
We've spent 40+ years solving these exact challenges.
We're here to help match you with the perfect loan program for your Lincoln 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 Lincoln home. We coordinate everything to make closing day smooth and stress-free.
Finding the right home loan in Lincoln starts with understanding your options. We've streamlined hundreds of mortgage programs into 8 clear categories for Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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: $832,750 |
| 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 $832,750 |
| 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 Lincoln buyers. Most homes under $833K with competitive rates.
Strong FHA option in Lincoln. Low down payment gets you into most properties here.
$0 down for Lincoln veterans. VA loans cover all properties with no PMI required.
Lincoln business owners qualify on deposits. Tax write-offs reduce income on paper. Bank statements show reality.
CalHFA programs popular in Lincoln. State assistance helps with down payment and closing costs.
Premium Lincoln homes over $833K require jumbo loans. Less common but available for luxury properties.
Lincoln sellers can buy first with bridge loans. Short-term financing until sale closes.
LLC financing options for Lincoln investors. Buy rentals in entity names.
Conforming refinance for Lincoln homeowners. Best rates for loans under $833K.
FHA streamline refinance for Lincoln. Easiest way to lower your existing FHA rate.
VA streamline refi for Lincoln veterans. Fastest way to reduce your mortgage payment.
Turn Lincoln home equity into cash. Refinance at competitive rates for home improvements or debt.
HELOC available for Lincoln homeowners. Access equity without replacing first mortgage.
Lincoln owners can get home equity loans. Fixed rate for predictable payments.
DSCR loans work for Lincoln investment properties. Cash flow analysis replaces income docs.
Fix-and-flip available for Lincoln projects. Short-term financing for value-add investments.
Multifamily options for Lincoln investors. Finance apartment buildings with commercial loans.
Lincoln 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 Lincoln buyers with qualifying income.
CalHFA programs popular in Lincoln. State assistance helps with down payment and closing costs.
Lincoln has local down payment programs. Combine with CalHFA for maximum assistance.
Elite grant available for Lincoln buyers. Down payment assistance with no repayment.
Lincoln family sales can use gift of equity. Equity difference becomes down payment.
Add a co-borrower for Lincoln 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
Lincoln sits in Placer County about 35 minutes northeast of Sacramento. Population is 50,131, median household income $99,434. The homeownership rate here is 82.9%, one of the highest in the region, and that tells you something important. At $603,750 median home price, you're looking at a place where families put down roots and stay. This isn't a stepping stone market. It's where people move when they want space, good schools, and a mortgage they can actually manage while still being close to Sacramento job centers.
The school quality here is a big part of why that homeownership rate sits above 80%. Western Placer Unified runs the district, and you've got Lincoln High, Twelve Bridges High, and Phoenix High as your main options, plus solid elementary schools like Creekside Oaks. Families buying here aren't just looking at today's payment, they're thinking about keeping their kids in the same schools through graduation. That stability shows up in resale values. When you're comparing a $600K house in Lincoln versus something similar closer to Sacramento, the school ratings often tip the decision. Lenders know this area well, and the combination of strong income levels and stable property values means conventional loans with competitive rates are the norm.
Where you buy in Lincoln matters more than you'd think for your financing options. Twelve Bridges is the master-planned community that put Lincoln on the map for Sacramento commuters, running right around that $604K median with newer builds, HOA amenities, and conventional loans dominating. Sun City Lincoln Hills is the 55+ active adult community with golf courses and clubhouses, also hitting that $604K mark, and you'll see a lot of cash buyers or large down payments from retirees selling Bay Area properties. Old Town Lincoln gives you the historic feel with older homes around the same price point, though some need work, which opens up renovation loan options if you're handy. The fact that all three neighborhoods cluster around the same price tells you Lincoln's market is pretty consistent. You're not going to find a $400K entry point here anymore.
The commute to Sacramento runs about 35 minutes via Highway 65, and Roseville is just 18 minutes away. That's the sweet spot that keeps Lincoln's prices where they are. You're close enough to major job centers that the drive doesn't kill you, but far enough out that you get actual yard space and newer construction for your money. Highway 65 is your main artery, and it can get busy during peak hours, but it's nothing like the Bay Area grind. Local transit exists but most buyers here are two-car households. When you're running the numbers on affordability, factor in that commute cost, but also remember you're getting more house per dollar than you would in Roseville or Rocklin.
Thunder Valley Casino Resort is the big employer here, and it's not just dealers and servers, it's management and hospitality jobs that pay decent wages. Western Placer Unified School District provides stable public sector employment, and the City of Lincoln itself has grown its workforce as the town expands. You've got retail employers along Highway 65, but real talk, most Lincoln buyers work in Sacramento, Roseville, or Rocklin and commute in. That $99K median household income reflects dual-income professional families who can qualify for that $600K mortgage without stretching too thin. Lenders like seeing borrowers with Sacramento-area jobs buying in Lincoln because the income stability is there and the payment-to-income ratios usually work out clean.
Common questions from Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln: Conventional (3% down), FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% for veterans), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program covering your entire down payment. Many Lincoln buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln families purchase with minimal upfront cash.
2026 Placer County limits: FHA $764,750, Conventional $832,750. Any loan above $832,750 is a jumbo loan. Most Lincoln properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
For Lincoln'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 Lincoln. 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 Lincoln. We guide you through the entire process, help you understand FHA vs conventional vs VA options, identify all available down payment assistance in Placer County, and structure your purchase to minimize upfront costs.
You still have options in Lincoln. 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 Placer County expertise, same-day underwriting decisions, and flexibility to solve complex situations that algorithm-based lenders decline.
Closing costs in Lincoln 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 Lincoln: Conventional (3% down), FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% for veterans), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program covering your entire down payment. Many Lincoln buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
A denial doesn't mean you can't buy in Lincoln. 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 Placer County expertise, same-day underwriting decisions, and flexibility to solve complex situations that algorithm-based lenders decline.
Closing costs in Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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 Placer County limits: FHA $764,750, Conventional $832,750. Any loan above $832,750 is a jumbo loan. Most Lincoln properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln families purchase with minimal upfront cash.
Absolutely—first-time buyers are our specialty in Lincoln. We guide you through the entire process, help you understand FHA vs conventional vs VA options, identify all available down payment assistance in Placer County, and structure your purchase to minimize upfront costs.
You still have options in Lincoln. 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 Lincoln'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 Lincoln is $765,000 for 2026, which covers most homes in the area since the median price is around $604,000. This makes FHA loans a competitive option for first. time buyers and those with smaller down payments in Placer County. You'll need just 3.5% down with a credit score of 580 or higher to qualify.
Most buyers in Lincoln don't need a jumbo loan since the conforming loan limit is $833,000 and the median home price is $604,000. You'll only need a jumbo loan if you're purchasing a home above $833,000, which represents the higher end of Lincoln's market. The majority of homes priced between $600K and $900K fall comfortably within conventional loan limits.
For 2026, Placer County loan limits are $765,000 for FHA loans, $833,000 for VA loans, and $833,000 for conforming conventional loans. These limits are well. suited to Lincoln's housing market where most homes fall in the $600K to $900K range. The higher limits give buyers plenty of financing options without needing jumbo loans.
Yes, VA loans are very competitive in Lincoln with a loan limit of $833,000, which covers the vast majority of homes in the area. Eligible veterans and service members can finance up to this amount with $0 down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance. With Lincoln's median price at $604,000, VA loans offer excellent purchasing power for military buyers.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified buyers in Lincoln. Additionally, CalHFA provides down payment assistance grants and deferred. payment junior loans that are popular with first. time buyers in Placer County. Local programs through the county and city may also be available depending on income limits and home price.
Down payment requirements in Lincoln vary by loan type: you can put down as little as 0% with VA or USDA loans, 3% with conventional loans, or 3.5% with FHA financing. On Lincoln's median home price of $604,000, that means you could need anywhere from $0 to around $21,000 depending on your loan program. Many buyers also use down payment assistance to reduce their upfront costs.
Most lenders require a minimum credit score of 620 for conventional loans in Lincoln, while FHA loans accept scores as low as 580 (or even 500 with 10% down). VA loans typically require around 580. 620 depending on the lender. With Lincoln's balanced market and median price of $604,000, having a score of 640 or higher will give you access to the best rates and programs.
Choose a lender who's experienced with Lincoln's market and offers the loan programs that fit your situation, whether that's FHA, VA, conventional, or down payment assistance. Compare rates and fees from multiple lenders, but also consider responsiveness and local expertise since Lincoln's $600K. $900K price range requires knowledge of conforming loan options. Look for a lender who can close on time and communicate clearly throughout the process.
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