Mortgage broker serving St. Helena, 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 St. Helena buyers, we match your unique situation to the right program.
St. Helena buyers in the luxury segment face unique challenges with high-value properties exceeding $1.02M.
We've spent 40+ years solving these exact challenges.
We're here to help match you with the perfect loan program for your St. Helena 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 St. Helena home. We coordinate everything to make closing day smooth and stress-free.
Finding the right home loan in St. Helena starts with understanding your options. We've streamlined hundreds of mortgage programs into 8 clear categories for St. Helena 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 St. Helena 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 St. Helena homebuyers. Compare options and find your best fit.
| Loan Type | Down Payment | Credit Score | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jumbo | 10-20% | 680+ | Luxury properties above $1,249,125 |
| Bank Statement | 10-20% | 660+ | Self-employed, business owners, tech consultants |
| Asset Depletion | 10-20% | 680+ | Retirees, investors with $500K+ liquid assets |
| VA | $0 | No minimum | Veterans, active military (0% down on any price) |
| 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 St. Helena home equity |
Questions? Call (510) 589-4096 or email info@agoodlender.com
With St. Helena's $2.2M median, most buyers need jumbo loans above $1.02M. Rates now competitive with conforming.
Business owners in St. Helena qualify on bank deposits. Write-offs hurt tax returns but deposits tell the real story.
Wealthy St. Helena buyers use portfolio value instead of employment. Asset depletion works for retirees and investors.
Some St. Helena condos and smaller homes under $1.02M get conforming rates. Most properties need jumbo.
St. Helena veterans get zero down with no loan limit. Best benefit for luxury purchases.
St. Helena buyers use bridge loans to avoid contingent offers. Buy first, sell later.
LLC purchases for St. Helena investment properties. Buy in entity name for liability protection.
Pull equity from your St. Helena home. Cash-out refinance for investments, renovations, or debt payoff.
Conforming refi for St. Helena properties under the limit. Most will need jumbo refinancing.
St. Helena owners tap equity with HELOC. Draw funds as needed, pay interest only on balance.
Fixed home equity loans in St. Helena. Lump sum with predictable payments.
St. Helena veterans use VA IRRRL to lower rates. Streamlined process with minimal documentation.
No seasoning cash-out for St. Helena properties. Access equity right after closing.
DSCR loans for St. Helena investors. Qualify based on property cash flow, not personal income.
Fix-and-flip loans for St. Helena investors. Finance purchase plus renovation costs.
St. Helena apartment investors use multifamily loans. Commercial financing for 5+ units.
St. Helena commercial investors use hard money. Quick closing for time-sensitive deals.
Buy a home with zero down payment. Our lenders cover your entire down payment through grant programs. No repayment required. Available for St. Helena buyers with qualifying income.
CalHFA down payment help available for St. Helena first-time buyers. Income limits may restrict use.
Gift of equity for St. Helena family sales. Equity counts as down payment in related transactions.
St. Helena buyers can add parent as co-borrower. Combined income qualifies for higher amount.
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
St. Helena sits right in the heart of [Napa](/mortgage-loans-and-refinance-in-napa-ca) Valley, about 70 miles north of [San Francisco](/mortgage-loans-and-refinance-in-san-francisco-ca). Population is just 5,426, median household income $135,781. The homeownership rate here is 67.9%, and the median home price is $2,158,500. This is wine country real estate at its most concentrated. You're looking at jumbo loan territory across the board, and most buyers here are either cashing out equity from Bay Area properties, bringing substantial down payments, or working in the wine industry with deep local ties.
The St. Helena Unified School District serves the whole town, and it's a tight-knit system. St. Helena High, Robert Louis Stevenson Middle, and St. Helena Primary all feed into each other. The schools are small by California standards, which is part of the appeal if you want your kids known by name rather than student ID number. Families who buy here tend to stay through graduation because moving up in Napa Valley real estate is tough once you're in. The school quality helps protect your investment, but the real driver of resale value is the Napa address itself. When you're financing a $2M+ home, the school ratings matter less than in suburban markets because your buyer pool skews older and wealthier.
Here's the thing about St. Helena real estate. There's not a huge spread in prices because everything is expensive. Downtown St. Helena runs around $2.2M for walkable access to Main Street, the tasting rooms, and the restaurant scene. You're paying for that village lifestyle where you can walk to dinner and the farmers market. Spring Mountain District also hits $2.2M but you're trading walkability for views and vineyard land. Both areas require jumbo loans unless you're putting down 40% or more, and most lenders want to see strong income documentation and reserves. The wine industry connection helps if you're buying vineyard property because some lenders understand that business model better than others.
The commute to San Francisco is 86 minutes on Highway 29 south to I-80, [Oakland](/mortgage-loans-and-refinance-in-oakland-ca) is 76 minutes, [San Jose](/mortgage-loans-and-refinance-in-san-jose-ca) is 110 minutes. Real talk, most people buying here aren't commuting daily to the Bay Area. You'll see some remote workers who go in once or twice a week, and you'll see retirees or semi-retired buyers. The drive keeps this market insulated from the full force of Bay Area commuter demand, but it's close enough for weekend buyers and second home owners. If you're financing a primary residence here and you work in San Francisco, your lender is going to want to see that your income can handle both the mortgage and the reality of that drive.
The local economy runs on wine, hospitality, and healthcare. St. Helena Hospital is the largest employer and brings medical professionals who can actually afford to live here. The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone employs culinary instructors and staff, and it draws students who sometimes settle in the area. Beringer Vineyards and dozens of other wineries and tasting rooms create a steady flow of wine industry jobs, from cellar workers to winemakers to hospitality managers. St. Helena Unified School District rounds out the public sector employment. The job mix means you've got a base of local earners, but a lot of buyers here made their money elsewhere and are moving to Napa for the lifestyle. When you're applying for a jumbo loan in this market, showing local employment helps, but plenty of buyers are bringing investment income or business ownership that requires more documentation.
Common questions from St. Helena 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 St. Helena 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 St. Helena: Conventional (3% down), FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% for veterans), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program covering your entire down payment. Many St. Helena buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified St. Helena 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 St. Helena 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 St. Helena families purchase with minimal upfront cash.
2026 Napa County limits: FHA $1,017,750, Conventional $1,017,750. Any loan above $1,017,750 is a jumbo loan. Most St. Helena properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
For St. Helena'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 St. Helena. 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 St. Helena. We guide you through the entire process, help you understand FHA vs conventional vs VA options, identify all available down payment assistance in Napa County, and structure your purchase to minimize upfront costs.
You still have options in St. Helena. 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 Napa County expertise, same-day underwriting decisions, and flexibility to solve complex situations that algorithm-based lenders decline.
Closing costs in St. Helena 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 St. Helena: Conventional (3% down), FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% for veterans), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program covering your entire down payment. Many St. Helena buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
A denial doesn't mean you can't buy in St. Helena. 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 Napa County expertise, same-day underwriting decisions, and flexibility to solve complex situations that algorithm-based lenders decline.
Closing costs in St. Helena 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 St. Helena 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 Napa County limits: FHA $1,017,750, Conventional $1,017,750. Any loan above $1,017,750 is a jumbo loan. Most St. Helena properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified St. Helena 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 St. Helena 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 St. Helena families purchase with minimal upfront cash.
Absolutely—first-time buyers are our specialty in St. Helena. We guide you through the entire process, help you understand FHA vs conventional vs VA options, identify all available down payment assistance in Napa County, and structure your purchase to minimize upfront costs.
You still have options in St. Helena. 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 St. Helena'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 St. Helena is $1,020,000 for 2025. However, with median home prices around $2.2M in this luxury wine country market, most buyers will need jumbo financing since FHA limits won't cover typical purchase prices. FHA loans are rarely used here given the high. end nature of St. Helena real estate.
Yes, you'll almost certainly need a jumbo loan in St. Helena since most homes are priced between $2M and $3M, well above the $1.02M conforming loan limit. With a median home price of $2.2M, even a 20% down payment means financing $1.76M, which requires jumbo loan products. Many properties in this luxury Napa Valley market may even require super. jumbo financing for homes exceeding $3M.
The 2026 loan limits for Napa County haven't been announced yet, but the current 2025 limits are $1,020,000 for conforming, FHA, and VA loans. These limits typically adjust annually based on home price trends, though any increase won't significantly impact St. Helena's luxury market where most homes require jumbo financing well above these thresholds.
Yes, VA loans are available in St. Helena with a limit of $1,020,000, but they're rarely practical here since most homes are priced at $2M or higher. If you're a veteran or active military buyer, you can use a VA jumbo loan to finance amounts above the limit, though you'll need a down payment on the portion exceeding $1.02M. The luxury price point means most veteran buyers opt for conventional jumbo financing instead.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified buyers, which can be particularly valuable even in luxury markets. However, given St. Helena's $2.2M median home price and affluent buyer profile, most purchasers don't qualify for or need traditional assistance programs like CalHFA. The focus here is typically on jumbo loan structuring and leveraging assets rather than down payment assistance.
For St. Helena's luxury market, you'll typically need 20% down to avoid PMI on jumbo loans, which means around $440,000 on a median. priced $2.2M home. Some jumbo lenders offer 10. 15% down options, though you'll face higher interest rates and stricter qualification requirements. Many affluent buyers in this wine country market put down 25. 30% or more to secure better rates and terms.
You'll typically need a credit score of at least 700 for jumbo financing in St. Helena, with most lenders preferring 720 or higher for the best rates. Given the luxury price point and typical loan amounts of $1.5M to $2.5M, many lenders require 740+ for optimal terms. The higher your score above 760, the better your rate options, which makes a significant difference on large loan amounts.
Choose a lender with extensive jumbo loan experience and a track record in luxury markets like St. Helena, as financing $2M+ properties requires specialized expertise. Look for lenders who can handle complex income documentation including stock compensation, business income, and investment assets common among Napa Valley buyers. You'll want someone who can close on time in this competitive market and offer portfolio loan options if you have a unique financial profile.
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