Mortgage broker serving Martinez, 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 Martinez buyers, we match your unique situation to the right program.
Martinez buyers benefit from comparing multiple loan options to find the best fit.
We've spent 40+ years solving these exact challenges.
We're here to help match you with the perfect loan program for your Martinez 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 Martinez home. We coordinate everything to make closing day smooth and stress-free.
Finding the right home loan in Martinez starts with understanding your options. We've streamlined hundreds of mortgage programs into 8 clear categories for Martinez 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 Martinez 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 Martinez 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 Martinez buyers. Most homes under $1.25M with competitive rates.
Strong FHA option in Martinez. Low down payment gets you into most properties here.
$0 down for Martinez veterans. VA loans cover all properties with no PMI required.
Martinez business owners qualify on deposits. Tax write-offs reduce income on paper. Bank statements show reality.
CalHFA programs popular in Martinez. State assistance helps with down payment and closing costs.
Premium Martinez homes over $1.25M require jumbo loans. Less common but available for luxury properties.
Martinez sellers can buy first with bridge loans. Short-term financing until sale closes.
LLC financing options for Martinez investors. Buy rentals in entity names.
Conforming refinance for Martinez homeowners. Best rates for loans under $1.25M.
FHA streamline refinance for Martinez. Easiest way to lower your existing FHA rate.
VA streamline refi for Martinez veterans. Fastest way to reduce your mortgage payment.
Turn Martinez home equity into cash. Refinance at competitive rates for home improvements or debt.
HELOC available for Martinez homeowners. Access equity without replacing first mortgage.
Martinez owners can get home equity loans. Fixed rate for predictable payments.
DSCR loans work for Martinez investment properties. Cash flow analysis replaces income docs.
Fix-and-flip available for Martinez projects. Short-term financing for value-add investments.
Multifamily options for Martinez investors. Finance apartment buildings with commercial loans.
Martinez 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 Martinez buyers with qualifying income.
CalHFA programs popular in Martinez. State assistance helps with down payment and closing costs.
Martinez has local down payment programs. Combine with CalHFA for maximum assistance.
Elite grant available for Martinez buyers. Down payment assistance with no repayment.
Martinez family sales can use gift of equity. Equity difference becomes down payment.
Add a co-borrower for Martinez 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
Martinez sits in central Contra Costa County, about 30 miles northeast of San Francisco. Population is 37,006, median household income $125,436. The homeownership rate here is 70.1%, which tells you people buy and stay. At $815K median home price, you're paying a premium compared to the outer Bay Area, but you're getting something real: BART access, waterfront living, and a 31-minute commute to Oakland without the million-dollar price tag you'd face in Walnut Creek or Lafayette.
The school ratings here are solid enough to protect your investment. Martinez Junior High scores an 8, John Muir Elementary pulls an 8, Alhambra High gets a 7. Vicente Martinez High sits at a 6, which is the weak spot if you're zoned there. Here's the thing: families buying in Villa del Monte or Alhambra Valley are doing it for the schools and the neighborhood stability, and that demand keeps values steady. When you're putting down $160K on a conventional loan for an $800K house, you want to know the schools won't tank your resale value in five years. These ratings won't wow anyone, but they won't scare off buyers either.
Downtown Martinez runs $650K-$900K, mix of Victorians and modern condos near the marina and BART. This is where first-time Bay Area buyers stretch with FHA loans or conventional 5% down, trading square footage for walkability and transit access. Villa del Monte sits at $750K-$1.1M, mid-century homes on tree-lined streets that move fast with families using conventional loans and solid down payments. Alhambra Valley is the premium play at $900K-$1.4M, hillside homes with views where you'll need jumbo financing above $1,089,300 or a hefty down payment to stay conventional. Hidden Valley offers $850K-$1.3M custom builds on larger lots, attracting buyers who want privacy and space and can handle the bigger loan amounts. Each neighborhood hits a different buyer profile, and your loan type depends on which one fits your budget and commute tolerance.
The commute numbers are why Martinez works for a lot of Bay Area buyers. Oakland is 31 minutes via I-680, San Francisco 44 minutes if traffic cooperates. San Jose runs 61 minutes, Palo Alto 68. You've got Amtrak Capitol Corridor and County Connection buses, plus BART access from downtown, which matters if you're trying to avoid the soul-crushing daily drive. Real talk: that BART connection is worth $100K in home value compared to similar towns without it. If you're financing $815K and commuting daily, you need to factor gas, bridge tolls, and your sanity into what you can actually afford monthly. The transit options here mean you might avoid a second car payment, which frees up debt-to-income ratio for a bigger mortgage.
Contra Costa County Government and Martinez Unified School District provide stable public sector jobs with decent benefits. Shell Martinez Refinery and Tesoro Golden Eagle Refinery are the big industrial employers, union jobs that pay well enough to qualify for these mortgages. Kaiser Permanente adds healthcare stability. The job mix here is government, healthcare, energy, and education. Most buyers either work locally in these sectors or commute to Oakland, San Francisco, or the bigger Contra Costa employment centers. That $125K median household income tells you this is a working professional town, not tech money, not old money, just solid earners who can handle a $4,500 monthly mortgage payment with a conventional loan and 20% down.
Common questions from Martinez 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 Martinez 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 Martinez: Conventional (3% down), FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% for veterans), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program covering your entire down payment. Many Martinez buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified Martinez 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 Martinez 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 Martinez families purchase with minimal upfront cash.
2026 Contra Costa County limits: FHA $1,249,125, Conventional $1,249,125. Any loan above $1,249,125 is a jumbo loan. Most Martinez properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
For Martinez'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 Martinez. 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 Martinez. We guide you through the entire process, help you understand FHA vs conventional vs VA options, identify all available down payment assistance in Contra Costa County, and structure your purchase to minimize upfront costs.
You still have options in Martinez. 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 Contra Costa County expertise, same-day underwriting decisions, and flexibility to solve complex situations that algorithm-based lenders decline.
Closing costs in Martinez 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 Martinez: Conventional (3% down), FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% for veterans), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program covering your entire down payment. Many Martinez buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
A denial doesn't mean you can't buy in Martinez. 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 Contra Costa County expertise, same-day underwriting decisions, and flexibility to solve complex situations that algorithm-based lenders decline.
Closing costs in Martinez 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 Martinez 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 Contra Costa County limits: FHA $1,249,125, Conventional $1,249,125. Any loan above $1,249,125 is a jumbo loan. Most Martinez properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified Martinez 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 Martinez 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 Martinez families purchase with minimal upfront cash.
Absolutely—first-time buyers are our specialty in Martinez. We guide you through the entire process, help you understand FHA vs conventional vs VA options, identify all available down payment assistance in Contra Costa County, and structure your purchase to minimize upfront costs.
You still have options in Martinez. 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 Martinez'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 Martinez (Contra Costa County) is $1.25M for a single-family home. This is a moderate-cost area limit. Properties above this amount require jumbo financing. FHA loans allow down payments as low as 3.5% for qualified borrowers.
With Martinez's median home price at $815K, many properties are near or above the $1.25M conforming limit. Higher-priced homes will require jumbo financing.
The 2026 Contra Costa 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 Martinez with $0 down payment. The 2026 VA loan limit for Contra Costa 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: 3-20%, FHA: 3.5%, VA: $0 for eligible veterans, Jumbo: typically 10-20%. For Martinez's median price of $815K, typical down payments range from 5-10%.
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.
Fill out the form below and we'll reach out to discuss your Martinez mortgage options.
We respond within 24 hours
