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.
San Francisco homeowners who purchased before 2020 are sitting on extraordinary equity — in many cases $1M or more above their original purchase price. When those homeowners want to upsize, move to Marin, or buy a second property, that equity is their most powerful financial asset. A bridge loan lets them use it without selling first.
The SF Move-Up Problem
If you own in the Inner Sunset, Noe Valley, or Cole Valley and want to move to Pacific Heights or Presidio Heights — or cross the bridge to Marin County — you face an uncomfortable reality: you can’t easily make a competitive offer while your current home is unsold.
San Francisco’s real estate market moves fast. The properties you want — the ones with the extra bedroom, the better school district, the views — receive multiple non-contingent offers within days of listing. A contingent bid, no matter how strong on price, almost always loses.
How SF Homeowners Use Bridge Loans
DiVita Home Finance works with San Francisco homeowners to structure bridge loans that unlock equity in their existing SF property to fund a new purchase — before listing the old one. High equity base (SF home values give you a large equity cushion to borrow against), portfolio lenders (we work with lenders who understand SF condo values, TIC structures, and non-warrantable properties that conventional lenders won’t touch), fast closings (our bridge loan partners can close in 10–15 business days, keeping pace with the SF market), and interest-only structure (keeps your monthly carrying cost manageable while you prepare the old home for sale).
SF to Marin: The Bridge Loan Migration
One of the most common bridge loan scenarios we see: a San Francisco family outgrows their SF home and wants to move to Marin County for the schools, the space, and the quality of life. Tiburon, Mill Valley, and Corte Madera are magnets for SF families making this move.
The challenge: you need to close on the Marin home competitively, but you don’t want to sell your SF home in a rush. A bridge loan lets you close on the Marin home first, move the family, then prepare and list the SF property on your timeline — often netting a premium because you’re not under selling pressure.
Bay Area Bridge Loan Rates and Terms (2026)
| Term | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Loan duration | 6–12 months (extensions available) |
| Interest rate | Prime + 1.5–3% (varies by lender) |
| Origination fee | 1–2 points |
| Max LTV (combined) | 65–75% of both properties |
| Minimum credit score | 680 (720+ for best pricing) |
| Qualifying income types | W-2, self-employed, bank statement |
SF Bridge Loan FAQ
Can San Francisco homeowners use a bridge loan to buy in Marin?
Yes — this is one of the most common bridge loan scenarios DiVita handles. SF homeowners use their existing equity to close on a Marin home competitively, then sell the SF property on their timeline. DiVita structures cross-collateral bridge loans tailored to Bay Area price ranges.
How long does it take to close a bridge loan in the Bay Area?
DiVita’s portfolio bridge loan partners close in 10–15 business days. This is fast enough to compete in the San Francisco and Marin markets where listings receive multiple offers within 72 hours of hitting the market.
What if my San Francisco home hasn’t sold yet when I need to close on the new one?
That’s exactly what a bridge loan is for. The loan is secured by your existing SF home’s equity — you don’t need to sell first. You carry the bridge loan while your SF home is on the market, then pay it off with your sale proceeds. Interest-only payments keep carrying costs manageable.
Related: Bridge Loans California — Complete Guide | Bridge Loans in Marin County and San Francisco | San Francisco Mortgage Broker
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
