Mortgage broker serving San Rafael, 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 Rafael buyers, we match your unique situation to the right program.
San Rafael's market hovers near the $1.25M limit, making loan structuring critical for best rates.
We've spent 40+ years solving these exact challenges.
We're here to help match you with the perfect loan program for your San Rafael 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 Rafael home. We coordinate everything to make closing day smooth and stress-free.
Finding the right home loan in San Rafael starts with understanding your options. We've streamlined hundreds of mortgage programs into 8 clear categories for San Rafael 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 Rafael 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 Rafael 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 Rafael home equity |
Questions? Call (510) 589-4096 or email info@agoodlender.com
Most San Rafael homes qualify for conforming loans under $1.25M. Best rates with 3-20% down.
Veterans buy in San Rafael with nothing down. VA loans up to $1.25M with no mortgage insurance.
FHA loans popular for San Rafael first-timers. 3.5% down, 580 credit minimum.
Higher-end San Rafael properties may exceed $1.25M. Jumbo financing available when needed.
Bank statement loans work for San Rafael's self-employed buyers. 12-24 months of deposits qualify you.
CalHFA MyHome provides up to 3.5% down payment assistance for San Rafael buyers.
Bridge loans help San Rafael buyers compete. Make non-contingent offers while selling current home.
San Rafael investment properties in LLC. Entity financing available for investors.
Most San Rafael mortgages qualify for conforming refinance. Lower your rate under the limit.
San Rafael homeowners tap equity with cash-out refinance. Consolidate debt or fund renovations.
Veterans in San Rafael refinance with VA IRRRL. No appraisal, no income verification.
San Rafael HELOC options for home equity access. Credit line with variable rate draw period.
San Rafael FHA borrowers can streamline refinance. No income verification or appraisal required.
Home equity loan option for San Rafael. Fixed payments unlike variable HELOC.
San Rafael rental investors use DSCR loans. Property income determines qualification, not W-2s.
Renovation investors in San Rafael use fix-and-flip financing. Purchase plus rehab in one loan.
San Rafael apartment financing available. Multifamily loans for 5+ unit buildings.
Commercial hard money in San Rafael. Speed and flexibility for investment deals.
Buy a home with zero down payment. Our lenders cover your entire down payment through grant programs. No repayment required. Available for San Rafael buyers with qualifying income.
CalHFA MyHome provides up to 3.5% down payment assistance for San Rafael buyers.
Local San Rafael DPA programs supplement state assistance. City grants reduce out-of-pocket costs.
San Rafael buyers check Elite grant eligibility. Grant funds reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Gift of equity option for San Rafael family purchases. Parents selling to children at discount.
San Rafael buyers use non-occupant co-borrowers. Parents help children qualify for homes.
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 Rafael is the county seat of Marin, sitting just north of the Golden Gate Bridge with about 60,000 residents. Median household income runs $109,317, and the median home price is $1.2M. The homeownership rate is 51.8%, which tells you something important: this is a market where a lot of people rent because breaking into ownership takes serious income or a large down payment. If you're earning six figures and have saved up, San Rafael gives you Marin County living with a reasonable commute to SF, Oakland, or the Peninsula.
The school ratings matter here because families drive a big chunk of the market. Terra Linda High pulls an 8, San Rafael High a 7, and Marin Academy scores a 9 for private school families. Venetia Valley K-8 also rates an 8, which is why neighborhoods feeding into it hold value well. When you're paying $1M-plus for a home, you want confidence that the schools will support resale down the line. Families who buy here tend to stay through high school, so you're looking at neighbors with long-term investment mindsets, not flippers or short-term renters.
Where you buy in San Rafael determines both your lifestyle and your financing approach. Terra Linda runs $900K-$1.4M with mid-century homes on decent lots, solid schools, and suburban quiet. Most buyers here use conventional loans with 20% down if they can swing it. Gerstle Park offers charming craftsman homes at $800K-$1.3M, walkable to downtown, and attracts buyers who value character over square footage. Marinwood sits at $750K-$1.2M with newer townhomes and single-family builds, popular with families stretching into Marin on tighter budgets where FHA or low-down conventional loans show up more often. Sun Valley climbs the hillside at $1M-$1.8M with views and larger homes, usually requiring jumbo loans above the conforming limit. Downtown condos and lofts start around $600K-$1.1M, which is the entry point for professionals who want walkability and can qualify on a single income or with minimal down payment assistance programs.
The commute situation is one of San Rafael's biggest selling points if you work in the city. You're 37 minutes to San Francisco via US-101 on a decent day, 29 minutes to Oakland via I-580, and about 73 minutes to San Jose if you're heading south. The SMART train connects you to Larkspur and eventually San Francisco, and Golden Gate Transit runs express buses during commute hours. Real talk, that sub-40-minute SF commute is why San Rafael costs what it costs. You're paying a premium to avoid the hour-plus slogs from Vallejo or Antioch while still getting single-family home options that don't exist in the city itself.
San Rafael has a solid local employment base that keeps the market stable even when tech takes a hit. Kaiser Permanente and Marin General Hospital employ thousands in healthcare, which means steady W-2 income that qualifies cleanly for mortgages. BioMarin Pharmaceutical and Autodesk bring high-paying tech and biotech jobs right into town. Marin County Government is headquartered here at the iconic Marin Civic Center, adding public sector stability. Guide Dogs for the Blind rounds out the mix. The diversity of employers means you're not riding a single industry's boom-bust cycle, which matters for long-term property value and your ability to refinance or sell if your situation changes.
Common questions from San Rafael 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 Rafael 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 Rafael: 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 Rafael buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified San Rafael 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 Rafael 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 Rafael families purchase with minimal upfront cash.
2026 Marin County limits: FHA $1,249,125, Conventional $1,249,125. Any loan above $1,249,125 is a jumbo loan. Most San Rafael properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
For San Rafael'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 Rafael. 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 Rafael. We guide you through the entire process, help you understand FHA vs conventional vs VA options, identify all available down payment assistance in Marin County, and structure your purchase to minimize upfront costs.
You still have options in San Rafael. 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 Marin County expertise, same-day underwriting decisions, and flexibility to solve complex situations that algorithm-based lenders decline.
Closing costs in San Rafael 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 Rafael: 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 Rafael buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
A denial doesn't mean you can't buy in San Rafael. 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 Marin County expertise, same-day underwriting decisions, and flexibility to solve complex situations that algorithm-based lenders decline.
Closing costs in San Rafael 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 Rafael 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 Marin County limits: FHA $1,249,125, Conventional $1,249,125. Any loan above $1,249,125 is a jumbo loan. Most San Rafael properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified San Rafael 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 Rafael 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 Rafael families purchase with minimal upfront cash.
Absolutely—first-time buyers are our specialty in San Rafael. We guide you through the entire process, help you understand FHA vs conventional vs VA options, identify all available down payment assistance in Marin County, and structure your purchase to minimize upfront costs.
You still have options in San Rafael. 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 Rafael'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 Rafael (Marin 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 Rafael's median home price is $1.2M, 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 Marin 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 Rafael with $0 down payment. The 2026 VA loan limit for Marin 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 Rafael's median price of $1.2M, 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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