Mortgage broker serving San Mateo, 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 Mateo buyers, we match your unique situation to the right program.
The San Mateo 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 Mateo 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 Mateo home. We coordinate everything to make closing day smooth and stress-free.
Finding the right home loan in San Mateo starts with understanding your options. We've streamlined hundreds of mortgage programs into 8 clear categories for San Mateo 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 Mateo 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 Mateo 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 Mateo home equity |
Questions? Call (510) 589-4096 or email info@agoodlender.com
San Mateo 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 Mateo.
Self-employed? San Mateo bank statement loans use deposits, not tax returns. Common for entrepreneurs.
VA loans cover all San Mateo properties with $0 down. No PMI ever. Veterans' best option.
Asset depletion loans for San Mateo buyers with $500K+ liquid assets. Qualify on portfolio, not paycheck.
First-time San Mateo buyers can use FHA with 3.5% down. Limit is $1.25M.
Bridge financing for San Mateo moves. Purchase before your current home sells.
Entity financing for San Mateo investors. Purchase in LLC for asset protection.
San Mateo loans under $1.25M get conforming refinance rates. Best rates available.
Access San Mateo home equity with cash-out refi. Up to 80% LTV for improvements or investments.
HELOC for San Mateo homeowners with equity. Flexible access without full refinance.
VA IRRRL refinance for San Mateo veterans. Lower your rate without appraisal or income docs.
San Mateo home equity loans available. Fixed rate second mortgage for large expenses.
FHA streamline for San Mateo homeowners with FHA loans. Lower your rate without appraisal.
Investment properties in San Mateo can use DSCR financing. Rental income qualifies the loan.
San Mateo rehab projects use fix-and-flip loans. 12-18 month terms for buy-renovate-sell.
Multifamily loans for San Mateo apartment buildings. Commercial rates for larger properties.
Hard money financing for San Mateo 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 Mateo buyers with qualifying income.
CalHFA programs can help San Mateo first-time buyers. Check income limits for eligibility.
San Mateo family transfers use gift of equity. Below-market sale with equity as down payment.
Non-occupant co-borrower option in San Mateo. Family member income helps qualification.
Check San Mateo 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 Mateo sits right in the middle of the Peninsula, about 20 miles south of San Francisco. Population is 104,165, median household income $149,152. The homeownership rate here is 51.6%, which tells you something important: at a $1.34M median home price, you're looking at serious mortgage qualifications. This isn't a market where your typical California household income gets you in the door. You'll need around $268K down for a conventional 20% and an income north of $300K to qualify comfortably, or you're looking at jumbo loan territory with stricter requirements.
The school situation here is part of what keeps prices high and families committed once they buy. San Mateo High, Aragon High, and Hillsdale High all serve different parts of the city, and the district has a solid reputation that directly impacts your resale value. Borel Middle School feeds into these high schools, and the continuity matters when you're dropping seven figures on a house. College of San Mateo gives you a community college option right in town, which helps if you've got kids who want to save money on general ed before transferring. The truth is, school quality in this price range isn't just about test scores, it's about protecting your investment. When you're financing over a million dollars, the strength of the local schools affects whether your home appreciates or stagnates.
Here's the thing about San Mateo neighborhoods: they all cluster around that $1.3M mark, but what you get for your money varies quite a bit. Downtown San Mateo near B Street and the Caltrain station runs $1.3M for walkable urban living, condos and smaller lots, perfect for jumbo loans if you want that train commute lifestyle without San Francisco prices. Hillsdale in the south offers more suburban space at the same $1.3M, larger lots near Hillsdale Shopping Center, and families using conventional jumbos tend to land here. Baywood on the east side near the Bay gets you mid-century homes with Coyote Point access at $1.3M, popular with buyers who want water proximity and are comfortable with older home renovation costs factored into their financing. Hayward Park up north has its own Caltrain station and residential streets at $1.3M, attracting commuters who need that direct rail line and can qualify for the jumbo loans this market demands. The loan type is almost always jumbo here since you're well above the $766,550 conforming limit, which means stricter credit requirements and often larger down payments.
The commute situation is honestly one of San Mateo's biggest selling points when you're trying to justify the mortgage payment. You're 31 minutes to San Francisco, 37 to Oakland, 39 to San Jose, and just 21 to Palo Alto. That positioning in the dead center of the Peninsula means you can work in any direction without a soul-crushing drive. Caltrain runs right through town with stops in Downtown and Hayward Park, which matters if you're commuting to SF or Silicon Valley and want to skip the 101 traffic. Look, when you're paying $7,000+ per month on a mortgage, the ability to reach multiple job markets quickly isn't just convenient, it's essential for protecting your income sources and making those payments sustainable.
San Mateo County government is the big employer here, along with San Mateo-Foster City School District and San Mateo Medical Center. College of San Mateo and the City of San Mateo itself round out the public sector jobs, which gives the area economic stability that lenders like to see when you're applying for a jumbo mortgage. But real talk, most people buying at $1.3M aren't working locally in government or education. They're commuting to tech jobs in Palo Alto or San Francisco, or they're in finance, law, or healthcare pulling down the $300K+ household income you need to qualify here. The local job base keeps the city functioning and provides some economic diversity, but the housing market is driven by Peninsula and SF salaries. That's why the homeownership rate sits at just 51.6%. Half the city rents because even with great incomes, not everyone can or wants to carry a seven-figure mortgage.
Common questions from San Mateo 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 Mateo 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 Mateo: 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 Mateo buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified San Mateo 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 Mateo 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 Mateo families purchase with minimal upfront cash.
2026 San Mateo County limits: FHA $1,249,125, Conventional $1,249,125. Any loan above $1,249,125 is a jumbo loan. Most San Mateo properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
For San Mateo'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 Mateo. 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 Mateo. We guide you through the entire process, help you understand FHA vs conventional vs VA options, identify all available down payment assistance in San Mateo County, and structure your purchase to minimize upfront costs.
You still have options in San Mateo. 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 Mateo County expertise, same-day underwriting decisions, and flexibility to solve complex situations that algorithm-based lenders decline.
Closing costs in San Mateo 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 Mateo: 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 Mateo buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
A denial doesn't mean you can't buy in San Mateo. 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 Mateo County expertise, same-day underwriting decisions, and flexibility to solve complex situations that algorithm-based lenders decline.
Closing costs in San Mateo 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 Mateo 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 Mateo County limits: FHA $1,249,125, Conventional $1,249,125. Any loan above $1,249,125 is a jumbo loan. Most San Mateo properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified San Mateo 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 Mateo 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 Mateo families purchase with minimal upfront cash.
Absolutely—first-time buyers are our specialty in San Mateo. We guide you through the entire process, help you understand FHA vs conventional vs VA options, identify all available down payment assistance in San Mateo County, and structure your purchase to minimize upfront costs.
You still have options in San Mateo. 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 Mateo'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 Mateo is $1,250,000 for 2026, which covers many homes in this premium market. This high. balance limit makes FHA financing accessible for a good portion of San Mateo's housing inventory, though you'll find many properties priced above this threshold. If you're looking at homes over $1.25M, you'll need to explore jumbo loan options instead.
With median home prices around $1.3M and many properties ranging from $1.25M to $2M, you'll likely need a jumbo loan if you're buying above the $1,250,000 conforming limit. Properties at or below $1.25M can use high. balance conforming, FHA, or VA loans with more favorable terms. Your specific loan type depends on your target price range and down payment amount.
San Mateo County's 2026 loan limits are $1,250,000 for conforming, FHA, and VA loans. These high. balance limits reflect the area's premium housing market and allow many buyers to avoid jumbo financing. For properties above $1.25M, you'll need a jumbo loan with typically stricter requirements.
Yes, VA loans are available in San Mateo with a loan limit of $1,250,000, and eligible veterans can purchase with $0 down up to that amount. This covers a meaningful portion of San Mateo's housing market, making it an excellent option for qualified service members and veterans. For homes priced above the limit, you can still use a VA jumbo loan with a down payment on the amount exceeding $1.25M.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified buyers, which can be particularly valuable in San Mateo's premium market. CalHFA programs provide down payment and closing cost assistance for first. time and repeat buyers, though income limits may restrict eligibility given the area's high prices. San Mateo County also offers targeted programs for lower. priced properties, though most homes here exceed typical DPA price caps.
For San Mateo's typical $1.3M to $2M homes, conventional loans require 10% to 20% down ($130K to $400K), though you can go as low as 3% on conforming amounts. VA and FHA loans offer lower down payment options up to the $1.25M limit, with VA at 0% and FHA at 3.5%. Many dual. income professionals in this market put down 15% to 20% to avoid PMI and secure better rates on these premium properties.
While FHA loans allow scores as low as 580, most San Mateo buyers benefit from having a 700+ credit score given the premium price points and competitive market. For jumbo loans on properties above $1.25M, lenders typically require 700 to 720 minimum. Strong credit scores also help you secure better interest rates, which makes a significant difference on loan amounts in the $1M+ range.
In San Mateo's competitive premium market, you'll want a lender experienced with high. balance conforming and jumbo loans who can close quickly and reliably. Look for lenders who understand the $1.25M+ price range, offer strong pre. approval letters that sellers take seriously, and can navigate the complexities of financing in San Mateo County. Compare rates, fees, and responsiveness, since dual. income professionals like most buyers here need efficient communication and flexible service.
Fill out the form below and we'll reach out to discuss your San Mateo mortgage options.
We respond within 24 hours
