Mortgage broker serving Woodside, 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 Woodside buyers, we match your unique situation to the right program.
Financing in Woodside's premium market demands lenders experienced with jumbo loans above $1.25M.
We've spent 40+ years solving these exact challenges.
We're here to help match you with the perfect loan program for your Woodside 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 Woodside home. We coordinate everything to make closing day smooth and stress-free.
Finding the right home loan in Woodside starts with understanding your options. We've streamlined hundreds of mortgage programs into 8 clear categories for Woodside 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 Woodside 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 Woodside 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 Woodside home equity |
Questions? Call (510) 589-4096 or email info@agoodlender.com
Most Woodside homes exceed the $1.25M limit. Jumbo financing is required for virtually all purchases here.
Woodside buyers can qualify using investment portfolios. Asset depletion converts holdings to qualifying income.
Self-employed Woodside buyers use bank deposits instead of tax returns. 12-24 months statements qualify.
Buy your next Woodside home before selling. Bridge loans cover the gap between properties.
International buyers purchase Woodside properties with foreign national loans. No US credit required.
Woodside tech buyers use RSUs and stock options to qualify. Equity compensation counts as income.
Woodside investors buy in LLC names. Asset protection with entity financing.
Woodside homeowners can access equity for investments. Cash-out refi up to 80% LTV on jumbo.
Refinance Woodside properties under $1.25M at conforming rates. Entry-level homes only.
HELOC access for Woodside homeowners. Flexible credit line against substantial equity.
Home equity loans for Woodside owners. Fixed-rate second mortgage against your equity.
VA IRRRL for Woodside veterans. Refinance existing VA loan with no appraisal needed.
Woodside investors can cash-out immediately after purchase. No seasoning required.
Woodside investment properties qualify on rental income alone. DSCR loans skip employment verification.
Woodside renovation projects get fix-and-flip financing. Short-term funding for major rehabs.
Multifamily financing for Woodside apartment buildings. 5+ unit commercial loans available.
Hard money for Woodside commercial deals. Fast funding when speed matters.
Buy a home with zero down payment. Our lenders cover your entire down payment through grant programs. No repayment required. Available for Woodside buyers with qualifying income.
CalHFA assistance technically available but rarely used in Woodside's luxury market.
Family property transfers in Woodside use gift of equity. Seller gifts equity as down payment.
Parents can co-sign for Woodside purchases. Non-occupant co-borrower boosts qualifying income.
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
Woodside sits in the wooded hills of San Mateo County, about 30 miles south of San Francisco. Population is just 5,256, median household income $250,001, median home price $5.525M. The homeownership rate here is 83.8%, one of the highest in the Bay Area, because this is where tech executives, venture capitalists, and old money buy when they want privacy and acreage. You're not getting into Woodside on a conventional loan with 20% down unless you're putting down over a million in cash and carrying a jumbo mortgage north of $4M.
The school situation is straightforward because there aren't many options. Woodside Elementary serves the younger kids, Woodside High takes the older ones. The high school pulls solid ratings and sends plenty of graduates to top universities, but most families here also have the budget for private schools in nearby Menlo Park or Palo Alto if they want more options. What matters for resale is that families buying here stay long-term. That 83.8% ownership rate means your neighbors aren't flipping properties every few years. When you're financing a $5M+ home, stability in the community matters because you need strong comps when it's time to refinance or sell.
Here's the thing about Woodside: the whole town feels like one extended neighborhood of estates on multi-acre lots. Woodside Town Center runs around $5.5M and gives you proximity to the small downtown along Woodside Road where you'll find local shops and the civic center. Woodside Estates also averages $5.5M, with large properties that define the town's rural character. You're looking at jumbo loans exclusively, and most lenders will want to see significant liquid assets beyond your down payment. The lots are big enough for horses, vineyards, or just serious privacy. Financing here means working with private banks or wealth management divisions that understand high-net-worth borrowers, not your typical retail mortgage shop.
The commute to San Francisco takes about 39 minutes on a good day, Oakland is 46 minutes, San Jose 30 minutes, and Palo Alto just 20 minutes. Most people buying here work in tech or finance in Silicon Valley or San Francisco, or they've already made their money and the commute doesn't matter much anymore. There's no freeway cutting through town, which is exactly how residents want it. That isolation keeps values high but also means you need a reliable vehicle and you'll be driving everywhere. If you're still working and commuting daily, factor that time into whether a $5M+ mortgage makes sense for your lifestyle.
The major employers in Woodside itself are tiny: the school district, the town government, and Filoli Historic House and Garden. But that's not why people live here. Buyers are typically pulling income from tech companies in Palo Alto and Mountain View, venture capital firms on Sand Hill Road, or they're executives at San Francisco financial firms. Some are semi-retired with equity comp still vesting. The local economy exists to serve the residents, not employ them. When you're applying for a jumbo mortgage at this price point, lenders care more about your stock options, RSUs, and investment portfolio than your W-2 salary.
Common questions from Woodside 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 Woodside 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 Woodside: Conventional (3% down), FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% for veterans), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program covering your entire down payment. Many Woodside buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified Woodside 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 Woodside 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 Woodside 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 Woodside properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
For Woodside'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 Woodside. 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 Woodside. 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 Woodside. 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 Woodside 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 Woodside: Conventional (3% down), FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% for veterans), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program covering your entire down payment. Many Woodside buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
A denial doesn't mean you can't buy in Woodside. 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 Woodside 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 Woodside 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 Woodside properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified Woodside 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 Woodside 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 Woodside families purchase with minimal upfront cash.
Absolutely—first-time buyers are our specialty in Woodside. 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 Woodside. 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 Woodside'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 Woodside is $1.25M for 2025. However, with a median home price of $5.5M, FHA loans aren't practical for most Woodside purchases since they can't cover the typical price range. Most buyers in this ultra. luxury market will need jumbo financing instead.
Yes, you'll almost certainly need a jumbo loan in Woodside. With homes typically priced at $3M+ and a median of $5.5M, you're well above the $1.25M conforming loan limit. Jumbo loans are the standard financing tool for this market, and lenders experienced with high. net. worth buyers can structure them to fit complex income situations.
For 2025, San Mateo County's conforming loan limit is $1.25M, with FHA and VA limits also at $1.25M. The 2026 limits haven't been announced yet, but they're typically released in November 2025. Given Woodside's $5.5M median price, these limits won't affect most buyers here who need jumbo financing.
Yes, eligible veterans can use VA loans in Woodside with a limit of $1.25M with no down payment. However, since most Woodside homes are priced well above this at $5.5M median, you'd need to cover the difference with a substantial down payment. Many veteran buyers in this market opt for jumbo loans instead to access better loan amounts.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified buyers. However, most down payment assistance programs like CalHFA have income limits (typically around $200K) that make them unavailable for Woodside's ultra. luxury market where the median income is $250K+. Given the $5.5M median home price, most buyers here use substantial cash reserves rather than assistance programs.
For jumbo loans in Woodside's ultra. luxury market, you'll typically need 20% to 30% down, which means $1.1M to $1.65M on the $5.5M median home. Some lenders offer jumbo loans with 10% down for highly qualified borrowers with excellent credit and strong reserves. Many Woodside buyers put down even more to reduce their loan amount and secure better rates.
For jumbo loans in Woodside, you'll typically need a credit score of at least 700, with most lenders preferring 720 or higher for the best rates. Given the ultra. luxury price point and complex financial profiles common here, lenders focus heavily on your overall financial picture including assets, reserves, and debt. to. income ratio. Scores above 740 will give you the most financing options and competitive rates.
In Woodside's ultra. luxury market, choose a lender with extensive jumbo loan experience and expertise handling high. net. worth clients with complex income situations like stock options, business ownership, or investment income. Look for lenders who can close quickly (important in competitive situations), offer relationship. based underwriting, and understand the unique aspects of $3M+ transactions. Local expertise in San Mateo County's luxury market is invaluable for navigating appraisals and documentation requirements at this price level.
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