I’m Michael DiVita — DRE #01372066 | NMLS #241655, DiVita Home Finance (DRE #01818285 | NMLS #323700), Tiburon, CA. I’ve been in California mortgage lending since 2000 and founded DiVita Home Finance in 2007. Call (800) 239-1103.
Corte Madera’s average home value hit $1,898,776 in 2026 — up 5.8% year-over-year — making it one of Marin County’s most consistently appreciating markets. Before you start searching for homes, it’s worth understanding exactly what income you need to qualify for a mortgage at the price points you’re targeting. Learn more: large bank deposit flagged mortgage lender.
How Lenders Calculate What You Can Afford
Mortgage lenders use your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) to measure affordability. Your total monthly debt — including the new mortgage payment, property taxes, insurance, and all existing debts (car loans, student loans, credit cards) — must generally not exceed 43% of your gross monthly income for jumbo loans. Some lenders allow up to 45–50% with strong credit scores and cash reserves.
Income Required by Purchase Price — Corte Madera 2026
These estimates assume 20% down, a 30-year fixed jumbo loan at ~6.75%, and no other monthly debt. Property tax estimated at 1.1% annually; homeowner’s insurance at $250–$300/month.
| Purchase Price | Down Payment (20%) | Loan Amount | Est. Monthly Payment (PITI) | Annual Income Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,250,000 | $250,000 | $1,000,000 | ~$7,840 | ~$218,000 |
| $1,500,000 | $300,000 | $1,200,000 | ~$9,350 | ~$261,000 |
| $1,900,000 | $380,000 | $1,520,000 | ~$11,600 | ~$323,000 |
| $2,200,000 | $440,000 | $1,760,000 | ~$13,300 | ~$371,000 |
| $2,500,000 | $500,000 | $2,000,000 | ~$15,000 | ~$418,000 |
These figures are estimates for planning purposes. Your actual payment depends on your credit score, rate, existing debts, and loan structure. Contact us for a personalized analysis based on your specific situation.
What Types of Income Qualify?
W-2 Salary
The most straightforward. Lenders use your gross income before taxes. Two years of W-2s and your most recent pay stubs are standard documentation. If you received a raise in the past year, your new salary typically qualifies immediately (no two-year average required).
Bonus and Commission Income
Lenders average variable income over 24 months. If your bonus is consistently paid and appears on both years of tax returns and W-2s, most of it will count. One-time bonuses in a single year are less likely to be counted — even if they’re large.
Self-Employment Income
Self-employed borrowers qualify based on net income from their tax returns after business deductions. If you write off heavily, your qualifying income may be significantly lower than your actual cash flow. Bank statement loan programs solve this by using 12–24 months of deposits instead of tax returns — a major advantage for Corte Madera’s entrepreneurial buyer pool.
RSU and Stock Compensation
Tech workers and executives with RSUs from public companies can often count vested stock income if it has a documented vesting schedule and the shares are liquid. The income typically needs to appear on at least one year’s tax return and have a reasonable likelihood of continuing.
Asset Depletion
Buyers with significant investment or retirement assets but lower current income may qualify through asset depletion — where the lender converts your portfolio balance into a hypothetical monthly income stream. This works well for early retirees or buyers between jobs who have substantial wealth.
Don’t Forget Reserves
On top of income, jumbo lenders require cash reserves after closing — typically 6 to 12 months of your full mortgage payment sitting in liquid accounts. At a $1.9M purchase price with a $1.52M loan at ~6.75%, that means roughly $70,000–$140,000 in reserves that must remain in your account even after your down payment and closing costs are paid. Retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs typically count at 60–70% of their balance for reserve purposes.
Two-Income Households in Corte Madera
For couples buying together, both qualifying incomes are combined — significantly expanding purchasing power. A household with combined income of $280,000–$350,000 can typically qualify for a $1.6M–$2M Corte Madera home with 20% down and manageable existing debt. Many Corte Madera families fall squarely in this range, which is one reason the market stays competitive.
See Exactly What You Qualify For in Corte Madera
Income charts give you a starting point — but your actual number depends on your full financial picture. DiVita Home Finance will run a complete pre-approval analysis so you know exactly what you can buy in Corte Madera before you start looking. Get started in minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much income do I need to buy a home in Corte Madera?
At Corte Madera’s average price of $1.9M with 20% down and current jumbo rates around 6.75%, you need approximately $323,000 in annual household income assuming no other significant monthly debts. At lower price points, the income requirement drops — around $261,000/year for a $1.5M home. These figures assume a 43% DTI, 1.1% annual property tax, and standard homeowner’s insurance. Existing car loans, student loans, or other monthly obligations reduce your maximum qualifying price proportionally. A mortgage broker can run your specific numbers in minutes.
Do RSUs and self-employment income count for a Corte Madera jumbo loan?
Yes, both can count — but with conditions. RSU income from publicly traded companies can typically be counted if you have a documented two-year vesting history and evidence of continued grants. Self-employment income is calculated from tax return net income, which is often significantly lower than actual cash flow for business owners with heavy write-offs. In that case, a bank statement loan uses 12–24 months of deposit history instead of tax returns, often resulting in 2–3x the qualifying income. The right program depends on your specific income structure — a broker who works regularly with self-employed buyers and tech executives is essential.
Can I put less than 20% down on a Corte Madera home?
Yes. Some jumbo programs allow 10% down on purchases up to $2M for borrowers with 740+ credit scores, low DTI, and strong reserves. On a $1.9M Corte Madera home, 10% down means $190,000 instead of $380,000 — preserving $190,000 in liquidity for reserves, renovations, or other uses. The tradeoff is typically a higher interest rate (0.125%–0.25% above the 20% down rate) and stricter income/credit requirements. A mortgage broker can model both scenarios with your actual numbers so you can weigh the liquidity benefit against the higher monthly payment.
Talk to Michael Directly
DiVita Home Finance | Tiburon, CA | In lending since 2000, founded DiVita Home Finance in 2007. Michael DiVita DRE #01372066 | NMLS #241655. Company DRE #01818285 | NMLS #323700.
💬 Text: (310) 849-9124
