Licensed California mortgage broker with loan programs specialized to your unique situation. Purchase loans, refinancing, FHA, VA, jumbo, commercial, construction, down payment assistance, and more across every San Mateo community.
Schedule a quick 15-minute call and we'll match you to the right program for your San Mateo County purchase.
We as brokers shop hundreds of lenders for you. Banks offer their own limited products.
As mortgage specialists serving San Mateo County buyers across 20 cities, we match your unique situation to the right program.
San Mateo County buyers face unique financing challenges in one of California's most expensive markets.
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 County 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 County home. We coordinate everything to make closing day smooth and stress-free.
Finding the right home loan in San Mateo County starts with understanding your options. We've streamlined hundreds of mortgage programs into 8 clear categories for San Mateo County 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 County 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.
| Loan Type | 1-Unit | 2-Unit | 3-Unit | 4-Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | $1,249,125 $1.25M | $1,598,880 $1.60M | $1,932,396 $1.93M | $2,402,067 $2.40M |
| FHA | $1,249,125 $1.25M | $1,598,880 $1.60M | $1,932,396 $1.93M | $2,402,067 $2.40M |
Limits effective January 1, 2026. VA loans have no county limit for qualified veterans.
Calculate your monthly payment, affordability, and closing costs with San Mateo County-specific property tax rates and loan limits. Get accurate estimates before you start shopping.
Common questions from San Mateo County 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. San Mateo County's competitive market often requires quick approvals—we work with lenders offering express underwriting for strong borrowers who need faster closings.
Standard documents include: pay stubs (30 days), W-2s (2 years), tax returns (2 years), bank statements (2 months), and photo ID. Self-employed San Mateo County borrowers can use bank statement programs requiring 12-24 months of deposits instead of tax returns. Asset-based qualification is available for high-net-worth buyers.
Typical San Mateo County closing timeline: 30-45 days from accepted offer. VA/FHA loans may take slightly longer. Cash buyers close in 7-14 days. In competitive situations, we offer expedited underwriting for well-qualified borrowers who need faster closings.
In San Mateo County's $1.6M market, most buyers put 15-20% down to secure competitive jumbo rates and avoid PMI. Some jumbo programs allow 10% down with strong credit (720+) and 12+ months reserves. Conventional loans under $1,249,125 can go as low as 3-5% down.
PMI applies to conventional loans under 20% down. Options to avoid it: put 20% down, use an 80-10-10 piggyback structure (80% first mortgage, 10% second, 10% down), or choose lender-paid PMI (slightly higher rate). For jumbo loans, many programs don't require PMI even with 10-15% down.
2026 San Mateo County limits: FHA $1,249,125, Conventional $1,249,125. Any loan above $1,249,125 is a jumbo loan. With San Mateo County's $1.6M median price, many single-family purchases require jumbo financing.
Jumbo loans (above $1,249,125) in San Mateo County typically require: 680-720+ credit score, 10-20% down payment, 6-12 months cash reserves after closing, and comprehensive income documentation. Rates are competitive with conforming loans. Our Senior Loan Officers specialize in jumbo underwriting for San Mateo County's high-value properties.
Yes. DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) loans qualify based on the property's rental income, not your personal income or tax returns. San Mateo County's strong rental market makes DSCR loans attractive. The property just needs rent covering 1.0x the mortgage payment. Requires 20-25% down and 680+ credit.
A denial doesn't mean you can't buy in San Mateo County. We review your denial letter, identify the specific issues (credit, DTI, income documentation), and match you with lenders who have more flexible guidelines. Self-employed borrowers denied by big banks often qualify through our bank statement and asset-based programs.
Jumbo loans in San Mateo County typically require 700+ credit scores, with the best rates at 740+. We have select jumbo programs starting at 680 with compensating factors. Conforming loans start at 620, and FHA accepts 580+ (or 500 with 10% down).
Absolutely. Over 40% of our San Mateo County clients are self-employed. We offer bank statement loans (12-24 months deposits), P&L-only programs, and asset depletion loans for high-net-worth buyers. Our team specializes in complex income verification that big banks can't handle.
Yes. We work with lenders who understand tech and executive compensation in San Mateo County. RSUs and stock options can be used with a 2-year vesting history. Bonus income requires 2 years of history. We can also use unvested RSUs as reserves for jumbo qualification.
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 County typically run 1.5-2.5% of the purchase price. On a $1.6M home, expect $20,000-$40,000 covering appraisal, title insurance, escrow fees, loan origination, and prepaid taxes/insurance. Jumbo loans may have slightly higher fees.
Pre-approval typically takes 24-72 hours. Full underwriting approval takes 14-21 days. San Mateo County's competitive market often requires quick approvals—we work with lenders offering express underwriting for strong borrowers who need faster closings.
In San Mateo County's $1.6M market, most buyers put 15-20% down to secure competitive jumbo rates and avoid PMI. Some jumbo programs allow 10% down with strong credit (720+) and 12+ months reserves. Conventional loans under $1,249,125 can go as low as 3-5% down.
A denial doesn't mean you can't buy in San Mateo County. We review your denial letter, identify the specific issues (credit, DTI, income documentation), and match you with lenders who have more flexible guidelines. Self-employed borrowers denied by big banks often qualify through our bank statement and asset-based programs.
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 County typically run 1.5-2.5% of the purchase price. On a $1.6M home, expect $20,000-$40,000 covering appraisal, title insurance, escrow fees, loan origination, and prepaid taxes/insurance. Jumbo loans may have slightly higher fees.
Standard documents include: pay stubs (30 days), W-2s (2 years), tax returns (2 years), bank statements (2 months), and photo ID. Self-employed San Mateo County borrowers can use bank statement programs requiring 12-24 months of deposits instead of tax returns. Asset-based qualification is available for high-net-worth buyers.
Typical San Mateo County closing timeline: 30-45 days from accepted offer. VA/FHA loans may take slightly longer. Cash buyers close in 7-14 days. In competitive situations, we offer expedited underwriting for well-qualified borrowers who need faster closings.
Jumbo loans in San Mateo County typically require 700+ credit scores, with the best rates at 740+. We have select jumbo programs starting at 680 with compensating factors. Conforming loans start at 620, and FHA accepts 580+ (or 500 with 10% down).
2026 San Mateo County limits: FHA $1,249,125, Conventional $1,249,125. Any loan above $1,249,125 is a jumbo loan. With San Mateo County's $1.6M median price, many single-family purchases require jumbo financing.
Jumbo loans (above $1,249,125) in San Mateo County typically require: 680-720+ credit score, 10-20% down payment, 6-12 months cash reserves after closing, and comprehensive income documentation. Rates are competitive with conforming loans. Our Senior Loan Officers specialize in jumbo underwriting for San Mateo County's high-value properties.
Absolutely. Over 40% of our San Mateo County clients are self-employed. We offer bank statement loans (12-24 months deposits), P&L-only programs, and asset depletion loans for high-net-worth buyers. Our team specializes in complex income verification that big banks can't handle.
Yes. DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) loans qualify based on the property's rental income, not your personal income or tax returns. San Mateo County's strong rental market makes DSCR loans attractive. The property just needs rent covering 1.0x the mortgage payment. Requires 20-25% down and 680+ credit.
Yes. We work with lenders who understand tech and executive compensation in San Mateo County. RSUs and stock options can be used with a 2-year vesting history. Bonus income requires 2 years of history. We can also use unvested RSUs as reserves for jumbo qualification.
PMI applies to conventional loans under 20% down. Options to avoid it: put 20% down, use an 80-10-10 piggyback structure (80% first mortgage, 10% second, 10% down), or choose lender-paid PMI (slightly higher rate). For jumbo loans, many programs don't require PMI even with 10-15% down.
San Mateo County is designated as a high-cost area. Conventional conforming loan limits are $1.2M for single-family homes, $1.6M for 2-unit properties, $1.9M for 3-unit properties, and $2.4M for 4-unit properties. FHA limits match these amounts.
We serve all cities and communities throughout San Mateo County, California.
Thanks to San Mateo County's high-cost designation, you can finance homes up to $1.2M with a conventional conforming loan. You only need a jumbo loan for properties exceeding this amount.
Several programs are available including CalHFA down payment assistance, local first-time buyer programs, and various grant programs. We'll help you identify all programs you qualify for based on your income and location.
If you’re looking in San Mateo County, you already know prices aren’t cheap. But here’s what a lot of buyers miss: the federal government classifies this as a “high-cost” area, which actually works in your favor. That designation bumps conforming loan limits to $1.25M—so a home that would need jumbo financing in most of the country can be financed with a regular conventional loan here. Better rates, easier qualification.
The county spans 8 cities, and they’re genuinely different from each other. Menlo Park runs around $2.8M, while Daly City comes in closer to $1.05M. That’s a wide gap, and it means your financing strategy depends heavily on which area you’re targeting.
What keeps the market stable is that people actually work here. Technology companies (headquarters and offices), and biotechnology research. When you have that kind of employment base, one sector slowing down doesn’t tank the whole housing market.
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