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 Santa Cruz community.
Schedule a quick 15-minute call and we'll match you to the right program for your Santa Cruz County purchase.
We as brokers shop hundreds of lenders for you. Banks offer their own limited products.
As mortgage specialists serving Santa Cruz County buyers across 4 cities, we match your unique situation to the right program.
Santa Cruz County's high-cost designation gives buyers access to enhanced loan limits.
We've spent 40+ years solving these exact challenges.
We're here to help match you with the perfect loan program for your Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz County home. We coordinate everything to make closing day smooth and stress-free.
Finding the right home loan in Santa Cruz County starts with understanding your options. We've streamlined hundreds of mortgage programs into 8 clear categories for Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz County-specific property tax rates and loan limits. Get accurate estimates before you start shopping.
Common questions from Santa Cruz 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. 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 Santa Cruz County 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.
Down payments in Santa Cruz County vary by loan type: Conventional (3-5% minimum), FHA (3.5%), VA (0% for veterans). With $1.1M median pricing, most buyers put 5-20% down depending on whether they're avoiding PMI or maximizing cash reserves.
PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) is required on conventional loans with less than 20% down, costing 0.5-1% of your loan annually. Ways to avoid: put 20% down, use an 80-10-10 piggyback loan, or choose lender-paid PMI. PMI automatically drops once you reach 20% equity.
2026 Santa Cruz County limits: FHA $1,249,125, Conventional $1,249,125. Any loan above $1,249,125 is a jumbo loan. Most Santa Cruz County properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
With Santa Cruz County's $1.1M median price and $1,249,125 Santa Cruz County limit, many properties fall right at the threshold. Homes under $1,249,125 use conforming loans (better rates, easier qualification). Above that requires jumbo financing. We analyze your target price range to recommend the best approach.
A denial doesn't mean you can't buy in Santa Cruz County. 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.
Yes. We offer multiple documentation paths for self-employed Santa Cruz County borrowers: bank statement loans (12-24 months deposits), P&L-only programs, and traditional tax return qualification. Our loan officers specialize in complex income situations.
Yes, first-time buyers represent about 35% of our Santa Cruz County transactions. We help you navigate loan options, explain the differences between FHA, conventional, and VA programs, and identify down payment assistance available in Santa Cruz County.
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 Santa Cruz County expertise, same-day underwriting decisions, and flexibility to solve complex situations that algorithm-based lenders decline.
Closing costs in Santa Cruz County typically run 2-4% of the purchase price. On a $1.1M 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.
Rate buydowns (paying points upfront for a lower rate) make sense if you'll keep the loan 5+ years. Each point (1% of loan amount) typically reduces your rate by 0.25%. We calculate your break-even point and whether buying down makes financial sense for your Santa Cruz County purchase.
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.
Down payments in Santa Cruz County vary by loan type: Conventional (3-5% minimum), FHA (3.5%), VA (0% for veterans). With $1.1M median pricing, most buyers put 5-20% down depending on whether they're avoiding PMI or maximizing cash reserves.
A denial doesn't mean you can't buy in Santa Cruz County. 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 Santa Cruz County expertise, same-day underwriting decisions, and flexibility to solve complex situations that algorithm-based lenders decline.
Closing costs in Santa Cruz County typically run 2-4% of the purchase price. On a $1.1M 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 Santa Cruz County 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 Santa Cruz County limits: FHA $1,249,125, Conventional $1,249,125. Any loan above $1,249,125 is a jumbo loan. Most Santa Cruz County properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
With Santa Cruz County's $1.1M median price and $1,249,125 Santa Cruz County limit, many properties fall right at the threshold. Homes under $1,249,125 use conforming loans (better rates, easier qualification). Above that requires jumbo financing. We analyze your target price range to recommend the best approach.
Yes. We offer multiple documentation paths for self-employed Santa Cruz County borrowers: bank statement loans (12-24 months deposits), P&L-only programs, and traditional tax return qualification. Our loan officers specialize in complex income situations.
Yes, first-time buyers represent about 35% of our Santa Cruz County transactions. We help you navigate loan options, explain the differences between FHA, conventional, and VA programs, and identify down payment assistance available in Santa Cruz County.
PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) is required on conventional loans with less than 20% down, costing 0.5-1% of your loan annually. Ways to avoid: put 20% down, use an 80-10-10 piggyback loan, or choose lender-paid PMI. PMI automatically drops once you reach 20% equity.
Rate buydowns (paying points upfront for a lower rate) make sense if you'll keep the loan 5+ years. Each point (1% of loan amount) typically reduces your rate by 0.25%. We calculate your break-even point and whether buying down makes financial sense for your Santa Cruz County purchase.
Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz County, California.
Thanks to Santa Cruz 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.
You’re looking at median prices between $800K in Watsonville and $1.3M in Capitola, which puts most of Santa Cruz County into high-cost area territory. That’s actually good news for your financing. The conforming loan limit here’s $1.25M instead of the standard $766,550, so you’ll avoid jumbo loan rates on properties well over seven figures. The four cities don’t feel anything alike, and that shows up in the numbers. Watsonville sits at $800K with its agricultural roots and Latino community, though Capitola’s beach village charm pushes medians to $1.3M. Santa Cruz itself runs around $1.2M because you’re paying for that university town energy and direct beach access, and Scotts Valley at $1.1M gives you a quieter tech suburb feel up in the redwoods. UC Santa Cruz employs thousands and keeps rental demand steady year-round, even though the tech sector from Silicon Valley has pushed into Scotts Valley and brought high-earning remote workers with it. Tourism doesn’t just mean summer jobs. It means property values hold because people visit here, fall in love, and decide they’ll do whatever it takes to live on this stretch of coast.
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