Mortgage broker serving Pinole, 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 Pinole buyers, we match your unique situation to the right program.
Pinole 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 Pinole 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 Pinole home. We coordinate everything to make closing day smooth and stress-free.
Finding the right home loan in Pinole starts with understanding your options. We've streamlined hundreds of mortgage programs into 8 clear categories for Pinole 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 Pinole 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 Pinole 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 Pinole buyers. Most homes under $1.25M with competitive rates.
Strong FHA option in Pinole. Low down payment gets you into most properties here.
$0 down for Pinole veterans. VA loans cover all properties with no PMI required.
Pinole business owners qualify on deposits. Tax write-offs reduce income on paper. Bank statements show reality.
CalHFA programs popular in Pinole. State assistance helps with down payment and closing costs.
Premium Pinole homes over $1.25M require jumbo loans. Less common but available for luxury properties.
Pinole sellers can buy first with bridge loans. Short-term financing until sale closes.
LLC financing options for Pinole investors. Buy rentals in entity names.
Conforming refinance for Pinole homeowners. Best rates for loans under $1.25M.
FHA streamline refinance for Pinole. Easiest way to lower your existing FHA rate.
VA streamline refi for Pinole veterans. Fastest way to reduce your mortgage payment.
Turn Pinole home equity into cash. Refinance at competitive rates for home improvements or debt.
HELOC available for Pinole homeowners. Access equity without replacing first mortgage.
Pinole owners can get home equity loans. Fixed rate for predictable payments.
DSCR loans work for Pinole investment properties. Cash flow analysis replaces income docs.
Fix-and-flip available for Pinole projects. Short-term financing for value-add investments.
Multifamily options for Pinole investors. Finance apartment buildings with commercial loans.
Pinole 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 Pinole buyers with qualifying income.
CalHFA programs popular in Pinole. State assistance helps with down payment and closing costs.
Pinole has local down payment programs. Combine with CalHFA for maximum assistance.
Elite grant available for Pinole buyers. Down payment assistance with no repayment.
Pinole family sales can use gift of equity. Equity difference becomes down payment.
Add a co-borrower for Pinole 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
Pinole sits on the eastern shore of [San Pablo](/mortgage-loans-and-refinance-in-san-pablo-ca) Bay in Contra Costa County, about 20 miles northeast of [San Francisco](/mortgage-loans-and-refinance-in-san-francisco-ca). Population is 18,663, median household income $120,833. The homeownership rate here is 75.9%, which tells you people buy and stay put. At $795K median home price, you're looking at Bay Area pricing, but on the lower end compared to places like Berkeley or Walnut Creek. For a household pulling in $120K, you can actually qualify for a mortgage here without stretching into jumbo territory on most properties, which is rare this close to SF.
The school ratings matter when you're putting down roots with a mortgage. Pinole Middle pulls an 8, Ellerhorst Elementary an 8, Pinole Valley High a 7, Valle Verde Elementary a 7. Those are solid scores for the Bay Area, and they directly affect your property value over time. Families who buy here tend to stick around, which is part of why that ownership rate sits above 75%. When you're comparing monthly payments on an $800K house, knowing the schools won't force you to move or pay for private education makes the numbers work better long-term.
Where you buy in Pinole changes your financing strategy. Pinole Shores runs $850K-$1.2M, waterfront properties along San Pablo Bay with views and regional park access. You're looking at jumbo loans here for most buyers. Pinole Valley hits $700K-$950K, tree-lined streets with ranch-style homes and newer builds, popular with families using conventional financing. Old Town Pinole offers the most accessible entry at $650K-$850K, historic homes with walkable streets near shops and restaurants, where conventional loans with 10-20% down work fine for buyers earning in that $120K range. Fernandez Ranch is the premium play at $900K-$1.4M, newer construction in the hills with views, attracting commuters who need modern amenities and can handle jumbo financing.
The commute is what makes Pinole work financially for Bay Area buyers. You're 24 minutes to Oakland, 34 minutes to San Francisco via I-80, 61 minutes to Palo Alto if you're heading south. That's reasonable for the region, and it's the main reason you can still find homes under $900K this close to major job centers. WestCAT and AC Transit give you public options, but most buyers here drive. If you work in SF or Oakland and you're tired of paying $1.2M for a starter home in Berkeley, Pinole lets you qualify for a mortgage that won't eat 50% of your gross income.
West Contra Costa Unified School District is a major employer, along with Kaiser Permanente [Richmond](/mortgage-loans-and-refinance-in-richmond-ca) and Chevron's Richmond refinery just south of town. BNSF Railway and the City of Pinole add steady public sector and logistics jobs. But here's the thing: most Pinole buyers commute out for work, which is why proximity to I-80 matters so much. The local job base keeps the economy stable, but the real value is living in a place where your mortgage payment makes sense while you pull a Bay Area salary from Oakland or SF. That income-to-price ratio is what lets families actually qualify without going house poor.
Common questions from Pinole 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 Pinole 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 Pinole: Conventional (3% down), FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% for veterans), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program covering your entire down payment. Many Pinole buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified Pinole 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 Pinole 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 Pinole 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 Pinole properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
For Pinole'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 Pinole. 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 Pinole. 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 Pinole. 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 Pinole 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 Pinole: Conventional (3% down), FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% for veterans), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program covering your entire down payment. Many Pinole buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
A denial doesn't mean you can't buy in Pinole. 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 Pinole 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 Pinole 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 Pinole properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified Pinole 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 Pinole 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 Pinole families purchase with minimal upfront cash.
Absolutely—first-time buyers are our specialty in Pinole. 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 Pinole. 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 Pinole'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 Pinole (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 Pinole's median home price at $795K, 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 Pinole 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 Pinole's median price of $795K, 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.
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