Mortgage broker serving San Francisco, 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 San Francisco buyers, we match your unique situation to the right program.
The San Francisco market requires jumbo loan expertise for homes above the $1.25M threshold.
We've spent 40+ years solving these exact challenges.
We're here to help match you with the perfect loan program for your San Francisco 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 San Francisco home. We coordinate everything to make closing day smooth and stress-free.
Finding the right home loan in San Francisco starts with understanding your options. We've streamlined hundreds of mortgage programs into 8 clear categories for San Francisco 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco homebuyers. Compare options and find your best fit.
| Loan Type | Down Payment | Credit Score | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jumbo | 10-20% | 680+ | Homes above $1,249,125 |
| Bank Statement | 10-20% | 660+ | Self-employed, business owners, tech consultants |
| VA | $0 | No minimum | Veterans, active military (0% down on any price) |
| Asset Depletion | 10-20% | 680+ | Retirees, investors with $500K+ liquid assets |
| Conventional | 3-20% | 620+ | Good credit, flexible down payment. Up to $1,249,125 |
| DSCR | 20-25% | 660+ | Investment properties, no income verification |
| No Down Payment Program Featured | $0 (3.5% grant) | 580+ | First-time buyers - grant covers FHA or Conventional down payment |
| Reverse Mortgage | N/A | No minimum | Seniors 62+ accessing San Francisco home equity |
Questions? Call (510) 589-4096 or email info@agoodlender.com
San Francisco prices often exceed $1.25M. Jumbo loans cover properties above the conforming limit with 10-20% down.
Properties under $1.25M get conforming financing. Split between conforming and jumbo in San Francisco.
Self-employed? San Francisco bank statement loans use deposits, not tax returns. Common for entrepreneurs.
VA loans cover all San Francisco properties with $0 down. No PMI ever. Veterans' best option.
Asset depletion loans for San Francisco buyers with $500K+ liquid assets. Qualify on portfolio, not paycheck.
First-time San Francisco buyers can use FHA with 3.5% down. Limit is $1.21M.
Bridge financing for San Francisco moves. Purchase before your current home sells.
Entity financing for San Francisco investors. Purchase in LLC for asset protection.
San Francisco loans under $1.25M get conforming refinance rates. Best rates available.
Access San Francisco home equity with cash-out refi. Up to 80% LTV for improvements or investments.
HELOC for San Francisco homeowners with equity. Flexible access without full refinance.
VA IRRRL refinance for San Francisco veterans. Lower your rate without appraisal or income docs.
San Francisco home equity loans available. Fixed rate second mortgage for large expenses.
FHA streamline for San Francisco homeowners with FHA loans. Lower your rate without appraisal.
Investment properties in San Francisco can use DSCR financing. Rental income qualifies the loan.
San Francisco rehab projects use fix-and-flip loans. 12-18 month terms for buy-renovate-sell.
Multifamily loans for San Francisco apartment buildings. Commercial rates for larger properties.
Hard money financing for San Francisco commercial. Fast approval when banks are too slow.
Buy a home with zero down payment. Our lenders cover your entire down payment through grant programs. No repayment required. Available for San Francisco buyers with qualifying income.
CalHFA programs can help San Francisco first-time buyers. Check income limits for eligibility.
San Francisco family transfers use gift of equity. Below-market sale with equity as down payment.
Non-occupant co-borrower option in San Francisco. Family member income helps qualification.
Check San Francisco city programs for additional DPA. May stack with CalHFA for more help.
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
San Francisco sits on a 7x7 mile peninsula at the tip of the Bay Area. Population is 851,036, median household income $136,689. The homeownership rate here is just 38.6%, one of the lowest in California, and the median home price of $1.4M explains exactly why. This is not a market where conventional wisdom about income-to-price ratios applies. You're looking at a city where tech money, foreign investment, and limited land create pricing that pushes most traditional mortgage scenarios to their limits.
If you're buying with kids in San Francisco, you're playing a different game than most of California. Lowell High pulls a 9 rating and is one of the most competitive public schools in the state. Ruth Asawa SOTA gets an 8, Clarendon Elementary an 8. But here's the thing: school quality drives massive price premiums in specific neighborhoods, and families will stretch their budgets or go jumbo to get into the right attendance zones. The low homeownership rate means many families rent until they can afford to buy, or they leave for the suburbs when kids hit school age. If you're committing to a $1.4M mortgage, the school situation better match your long-term plans because you'll need to stay put to make the math work.
Where you buy in San Francisco isn't just about lifestyle, it's about what kind of financing you can actually secure. Pacific Heights runs $2M-$8M, mostly historic Victorians with bay views, and you're looking at jumbo loans with significant down payments, often 25-30% to get decent rates. Mission District hits $1.2M-$2.5M, mix of restored Victorians and modern condos, still jumbo territory but more accessible for dual-income tech workers using stock compensation for down payments. Sunset District offers the closest thing to affordability at $900K-$1.8M, where families stretch into jumbo loans to get a yard and actual neighborhood feel. SOMA runs $900K-$3M, mostly high-rise condos and lofts, and HOA fees here can add $800-$1,500 monthly on top of your mortgage, which affects your debt-to-income ratio significantly. Lenders will scrutinize your financials harder in this market because there's less room for error when you're borrowing seven figures.
San Francisco's transit system actually matters for your mortgage decision because parking and car ownership add real costs here. BART connects you to Oakland in 19 minutes, San Jose in 56, Palo Alto in 38. MUNI, Caltrain, and cable cars cover the city itself. US-101, I-280, and I-80 provide car access, but street parking is brutal and garage spots can run $300-$500 monthly or $75K-$150K to purchase in condo buildings. If you're buying a condo, check whether parking is included or separate, because that affects your total housing cost and what you can actually afford. Many tech workers reverse-commute to Silicon Valley, which sounds crazy but makes sense when San Francisco's job market and lifestyle justify the premium.
The employment picture here is why people can afford these prices at all. Salesforce, Meta, and Google anchor the tech economy with six-figure salaries and stock packages that fuel down payments. Wells Fargo and the financial sector add stability. UCSF employs thousands in healthcare and research. Uber and countless startups create the wealth that keeps this market moving. Real talk: if you're not in tech, finance, or a high-paying professional field, qualifying for a mortgage here is extremely difficult unless you've got family money or bought years ago. Lenders will want to see stable, verifiable income well into six figures, and even then you're looking at jumbo loan territory where rates run higher and requirements are stricter. The 38.6% homeownership rate tells you most people rent because buying requires either exceptional income, significant assets, or both.
Common questions from San Francisco 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco: Conventional (3% down), FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% for veterans), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program covering your entire down payment. Many San Francisco buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified San Francisco 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco families purchase with minimal upfront cash.
2026 San Francisco County limits: FHA $1,249,125, Conventional $1,249,125. Any loan above $1,249,125 is a jumbo loan. Most San Francisco properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
For San Francisco'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 San Francisco. 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 San Francisco. We guide you through the entire process, help you understand FHA vs conventional vs VA options, identify all available down payment assistance in San Francisco County, and structure your purchase to minimize upfront costs.
You still have options in San Francisco. 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 San Francisco County expertise, same-day underwriting decisions, and flexibility to solve complex situations that algorithm-based lenders decline.
Closing costs in San Francisco 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 San Francisco: Conventional (3% down), FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% for veterans), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program covering your entire down payment. Many San Francisco buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
A denial doesn't mean you can't buy in San Francisco. 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 San Francisco County expertise, same-day underwriting decisions, and flexibility to solve complex situations that algorithm-based lenders decline.
Closing costs in San Francisco 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco County limits: FHA $1,249,125, Conventional $1,249,125. Any loan above $1,249,125 is a jumbo loan. Most San Francisco properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified San Francisco 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco families purchase with minimal upfront cash.
Absolutely—first-time buyers are our specialty in San Francisco. We guide you through the entire process, help you understand FHA vs conventional vs VA options, identify all available down payment assistance in San Francisco County, and structure your purchase to minimize upfront costs.
You still have options in San Francisco. 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 San Francisco'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 San Francisco is $1,210,000 for 2026, which is significantly higher than most markets due to the city's elevated home prices. This limit allows you to purchase homes well above the national average using FHA's low down payment options. With San Francisco's median home price at $1.4M, FHA loans can work for many properties, though some higher. priced homes will require jumbo financing.
You'll need a jumbo loan in San Francisco only if you're buying above $1,250,000, which is the conforming loan limit for the county. With the median home price at $1.4M, many buyers can still use conventional conforming loans, FHA loans up to $1.21M, or VA loans up to $1.25M. Jumbo loans typically require larger down payments and stronger credit, so it's worth exploring properties within conforming limits if possible.
For 2026, San Francisco County's loan limits are $1,210,000 for FHA loans, $1,250,000 for VA loans, and $1,250,000 for conforming conventional loans. These high limits reflect San Francisco's expensive housing market and give buyers substantial purchasing power with government. backed and conventional financing. Properties above $1.25M will require jumbo loan financing with different qualification requirements.
Yes, you can get a VA loan in San Francisco with a limit of $1,250,000, and eligible veterans can purchase with $0 down payment. VA loans are highly competitive in San Francisco's market and can cover a significant portion of available homes given the median price of $1.4M. The VA loan program offers excellent terms including no PMI and competitive interest rates for qualified service members and veterans.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified buyers, making homeownership more accessible in San Francisco's expensive market. Additionally, CalHFA offers down payment assistance programs with deferred. payment junior loans, and San Francisco's Downpayment Assistance Loan Program (DALP) provides up to $375,000 for eligible first. time buyers. These programs can be particularly valuable given the city's $1.4M median home price and 38.6% homeownership rate.
Down payment requirements in San Francisco vary by loan type: FHA loans require just 3.5% down, conventional loans can go as low as 3% for first. time buyers, and VA loans offer $0 down for eligible veterans. On the median $1.4M home, that's between $0 and $49,000, though many buyers put down more to strengthen their offers in competitive situations. Down payment assistance programs can help cover these costs if you qualify.
Most lenders in San Francisco require a minimum credit score of 620 for conventional loans, while FHA loans can go as low as 580 (or even 500 with 10% down). Given the city's competitive market and higher price points, having a score of 680 or above will give you access to better rates and more loan options. With the median income at $136,689, many San Francisco buyers have strong credit profiles that help them secure favorable terms.
Choose a mortgage lender in San Francisco who understands the local market's unique challenges, including high prices, competitive bidding, and the mix of loan programs that work best at the $1.4M median price point. Look for lenders who can pre. approve you quickly, offer multiple loan options (conventional, FHA, VA, and jumbo), and have experience closing deals in San Francisco County. Compare rates, fees, and responsiveness since speed matters in this market where you're often competing with multiple offers.
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