Mortgage broker serving San Leandro, 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 Leandro buyers, we match your unique situation to the right program.
San Leandro 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 San Leandro 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 Leandro home. We coordinate everything to make closing day smooth and stress-free.
Finding the right home loan in San Leandro starts with understanding your options. We've streamlined hundreds of mortgage programs into 8 clear categories for San Leandro 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 Leandro 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 Leandro 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 San Leandro buyers. Most homes under $1.25M with competitive rates.
Strong FHA option in San Leandro. Low down payment gets you into most properties here.
$0 down for San Leandro veterans. VA loans cover all properties with no PMI required.
San Leandro business owners qualify on deposits. Tax write-offs reduce income on paper. Bank statements show reality.
CalHFA programs popular in San Leandro. State assistance helps with down payment and closing costs.
Premium San Leandro homes over $1.25M require jumbo loans. Less common but available for luxury properties.
San Leandro sellers can buy first with bridge loans. Short-term financing until sale closes.
LLC financing options for San Leandro investors. Buy rentals in entity names.
Conforming refinance for San Leandro homeowners. Best rates for loans under $1.25M.
FHA streamline refinance for San Leandro. Easiest way to lower your existing FHA rate.
VA streamline refi for San Leandro veterans. Fastest way to reduce your mortgage payment.
Turn San Leandro home equity into cash. Refinance at competitive rates for home improvements or debt.
HELOC available for San Leandro homeowners. Access equity without replacing first mortgage.
San Leandro owners can get home equity loans. Fixed rate for predictable payments.
DSCR loans work for San Leandro investment properties. Cash flow analysis replaces income docs.
Fix-and-flip available for San Leandro projects. Short-term financing for value-add investments.
Multifamily options for San Leandro investors. Finance apartment buildings with commercial loans.
San Leandro 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 San Leandro buyers with qualifying income.
CalHFA programs popular in San Leandro. State assistance helps with down payment and closing costs.
San Leandro has local down payment programs. Combine with CalHFA for maximum assistance.
Elite grant available for San Leandro buyers. Down payment assistance with no repayment.
San Leandro family sales can use gift of equity. Equity difference becomes down payment.
Add a co-borrower for San Leandro 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
San Leandro sits right in the middle of the East Bay, 17 minutes to Oakland and 31 to San Francisco. Population is 91,017, median household income $85,000. The homeownership rate is 55.2%, which is actually pretty good for the Bay Area where most people rent. At $775K median home price, this is one of the last places in Alameda County where a household pulling in $80-90K can still get into homeownership without stretching to the absolute limit. You're looking at conventional loans with 10-20% down for most properties, though FHA can work in the lower price bands downtown.
The school situation here is middle-of-the-road for the Bay Area, which matters when you're thinking about resale. San Leandro High, John Muir Middle, and Bancroft Middle serve most of the city. Ratings aren't going to blow you away compared to Fremont or Dublin, but the district is stable and improving. Here's the thing though - families who buy here tend to stay because the pricing lets them actually build equity instead of just surviving month to month on their mortgage payment. That 55.2% ownership rate means you've got neighbors who care about property values, and that stability helps when it's time to sell or refinance down the road.
Where you buy in San Leandro makes a huge difference in what you'll pay and what loan products make sense. Bay-O-Vista runs $950K-$1.4M with hillside homes and Bay views on bigger lots - you're looking at jumbo loans here unless you've got a massive down payment. Downtown San Leandro is the entry point at $600K-$900K, mix of condos and smaller single-family homes with BART right there, and conventional loans work fine if you can hit 10-15% down. Marina goes $700K-$1M for waterfront living near the San Leandro Marina, popular with buyers who want water access without Half Moon Bay prices. Washington Manor is the established family zone at $750K-$950K, mostly post-war single-family homes where conventional financing is standard and FHA occasionally pops up on the lower end.
The commute situation is what keeps San Leandro affordable compared to San Francisco or Palo Alto. You've got two BART stations - San Leandro and Bay Fair - which gets you to downtown SF in about 31 minutes, Oakland in 17. If you're driving, I-880 and I-580 connect you everywhere, but traffic's real during rush hour. San Jose is 45 minutes, Palo Alto 39, so if you're working in tech down the Peninsula, you're trading commute time for a mortgage payment that won't crush you. AC Transit fills in the gaps for local trips. Real talk, the BART access is why downtown properties hold value so well even when the market dips.
Kaiser Permanente is the big employer here, which means steady healthcare jobs and the kind of income that qualifies for mortgages. Ghirardelli's chocolate operation employs a bunch of people, and OSIsoft brings tech jobs without the insane compensation that prices everyone else out. San Leandro Unified School District and the City of San Leandro provide public sector stability. The 21st Amendment Brewery adds to the downtown revitalization that's been pushing property values up the last few years. Most buyers here either work locally or commute to Oakland or SF, and that mix of local jobs plus regional access is why the market stays steady even when other Bay Area cities get volatile.
Common questions from San Leandro 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 Leandro 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 Leandro: 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 Leandro buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified San Leandro 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 Leandro 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 Leandro 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 San Leandro properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
For San Leandro'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 Leandro. 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 Leandro. 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 San Leandro. 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 San Leandro 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 Leandro: 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 Leandro buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
A denial doesn't mean you can't buy in San Leandro. 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 San Leandro 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 Leandro 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 San Leandro properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified San Leandro 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 Leandro 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 Leandro families purchase with minimal upfront cash.
Absolutely—first-time buyers are our specialty in San Leandro. 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 San Leandro. 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 Leandro'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 San Leandro (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. San Leandro's median home price is $775K, 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 San Leandro 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 San Leandro's median price of $775K, 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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