Buying a home in Marin County is one of the most rewarding — and challenging — real estate experiences in California. With some of the highest home prices in the country and intense competition for desirable properties, getting your financing right is as important as finding the right home. Here’s your step-by-step guide.
Step 1: Understand Marin County’s Market
Marin County encompasses communities with very different price points: from entry-level condos in Novato to $10 million waterfront estates in Tiburon. Know where you want to live, what you can afford, and the dynamics of those specific neighborhoods. Median home prices across the county typically range from $1.2 million to $3+ million for single-family homes.
Step 2: Determine Your Loan Type
The right loan depends on your purchase price and financial profile:
- Conforming conventional: Available up to $1,209,750 in Marin County; as low as 5% down
- Jumbo: Required for loan amounts above $1,209,750; 10-20% down, stronger requirements
- VA loan: Zero down for eligible veterans with full entitlement
- Bank statement: For self-employed buyers who document income through deposits
Step 3: Get Pre-Approved — The Right Way
In Marin County’s market, a standard pre-qualification letter won’t cut it. You need a full pre-approval where your credit, income, and assets have been verified. Better still: ask for a fully-underwritten pre-approval where an underwriter has reviewed your complete file before you make offers.
Work with a local lender who can speak with listing agents by phone and vouch for your readiness to close. This matters more than most buyers realize in competitive situations.
Step 4: Work with the Right Team
Choose a buyer’s agent with deep Marin County experience. Your lender and agent should communicate effectively — this team dynamic is critical in fast-moving transactions where a 21-day close is the norm.
Step 5: Navigate Escrow Successfully
Once your offer is accepted, key milestones in a typical Marin County escrow:
- Days 1-5: Open escrow, deposit earnest money, order appraisal
- Days 3-10: Submit complete loan package to underwriting
- Days 10-17: Clear underwriter conditions, receive loan approval
- Days 18-25: Sign loan documents; lender funds; title records
Working with DiVita Home Finance in Marin County
We’re based in Tiburon and have helped hundreds of Marin County buyers finance their homes. We know the local market, the local agents, and the lenders most likely to fund Marin County transactions on time. Apply online or call us to get started.
