Marin County Mortgage Broker

DiVita Home Finance is a Tiburon-based mortgage broker serving every Marin County community, with access to 40+ wholesale lenders for jumbo, conforming, FHA, VA, bank statement and other non-QM loans. In 2026, Marin’s conforming and FHA loan limits are both $1,249,125 for a single-family home; most homes in southern and central Marin need a jumbo loan.

I’m Michael DiVita (DRE #01372066 | NMLS #241655), owner of DiVita Home Finance (DRE #01818285 | NMLS #323700). I’ve been in California mortgage lending since 2000, founded DiVita Home Finance in 2007, and live in Tiburon. When the bank says no — self-employed income, RSUs, a non-warrantable condo, a canyon home, a fire-zone insurance problem — that’s usually where I start. Call (800) 239-1103.

Marin County Market Snapshot (2026)

• Prices: spring 2026 single-family medians ran from about $1.37M in Novato and $1.51M in San Rafael to $2.55M in Mill Valley, $3.4M in Tiburon and $3.8M in Kentfield. Full detail on my Marin home prices page.
• Conforming limit: $1,249,125 (1-unit), $1,599,375 (2-unit), $1,933,200 (3-unit), $2,402,625 (4-unit).
• FHA limit: the same $1,249,125 for a single-family home.
• Jumbo: anything above $1,249,125 — the norm in Tiburon, Belvedere, Mill Valley, Ross, Kentfield, Larkspur and Corte Madera.
• Competition: most well-priced homes go under contract within a few weeks, often with multiple offers. A fully underwritten pre-approval matters.

Loan Programs for Marin Buyers and Owners

• Jumbo and large jumbo: fixed, ARM and interest-only options. Many lenders want 10–20% down, strong credit and 6–12+ months of reserves; some go further for the right profile. See Marin jumbo loans.
• Conforming / high-balance: up to $1,249,125 with as little as 5% down (3% up to $832,750 for eligible buyers). Common in Novato, San Rafael and for condos countywide.
• FHA: 3.5% down with 580+ credit up to $1,249,125 — useful for condos and townhomes. See FHA loans.
• VA: zero down with no loan limit for full-entitlement veterans, including above $1.25M. See VA loans.
• Bank statement and other non-QM: for business owners, consultants and investors whose tax returns understate income. See bank statement loans.
• RSU and equity compensation: tech and biotech buyers can often use vested RSU income. See RSU mortgages.
• Asset depletion: for retirees and wealthy buyers with modest documented income. See asset depletion.
• Bridge loans: buy your next Marin home before you sell. See bridge loans.
• Refinance, cash-out and HELOCs: tap equity for remodels, ADUs or a next purchase. See HELOCs.

Marin Properties That Trip Up Big Lenders

Canyon and hillside homes

Mill Valley’s canyons, Sausalito’s hills, Tiburon and Belvedere view lots, and the Ross Valley can bring steep private access roads, shared driveways, septic systems, older or non-standard construction and few comparable sales. Some lenders add overlays; others are comfortable with these homes. I line up the right lender and appraisal approach before you’re committed.

Non-warrantable condos

Small associations, mixed-use buildings, high investor ownership, litigation or thin reserves can make a condo ineligible for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Portfolio and non-QM lenders can still finance many of them, usually with 15–25% down. See non-warrantable condo loans and SB 326 balcony inspections.

West Marin rural properties

In Point Reyes Station, Inverness, Stinson Beach, the San Geronimo Valley and similar areas, private wells, septic systems, acreage, agricultural use and limited comparable sales all affect which lenders will say yes. Some parcels may qualify for USDA rural financing; others need portfolio loans.

Trust-owned and estate properties

Many Marin homes are held in living trusts or sold by estates. Lenders can handle both, but the paperwork needs to be right early. See living trust mortgages.

Fire Zones and Homeowners Insurance

Large parts of Marin are in the wildland-urban interface. Many insurers have limited new policies in high-risk areas, and some buyers end up with a California FAIR Plan policy plus a separate “difference in conditions” policy. Lenders require adequate coverage before closing, so get a quote before you remove contingencies and build the premium into your budget. See my FAIR Plan wrap policy guide.

Relocating to Marin (Including from San Francisco)

• New job: conventional guidelines can allow qualifying on a signed offer letter if you start within 90 days after closing, subject to conditions such as reserves. Keeping your current remote job is simpler.
• Selling elsewhere first: a bridge loan or HELOC on your current home can fund your Marin down payment so you can write a non-contingent offer.
• Know the micro-markets: school district boundaries, fire risk, flood zones near Richardson Bay and the San Rafael waterfront, and commute routes vary block by block. If you’re new to the area, a short rental before buying is often worth it.

Marin Communities at a Glance

How I Help Marin Buyers Win

• Full pre-underwriting before you shop, so your approval is based on reviewed documents, not a pre-qualification.
• Pre-approval sized to your real ceiling, so you can bid above list without a new letter.
• Lender matching by property type, not just by rate — critical for condos, hillside homes and West Marin.
• Conforming vs. jumbo modeling: sometimes a slightly larger down payment keeps you under $1,249,125; sometimes a jumbo prices better. I run both.
• Fixed vs. ARM: if you’ll likely move or refinance within 7–10 years, a jumbo ARM can be worth comparing.

Broker vs. Bank in Marin

A bank can offer only its own products and guidelines. As a broker I can take the same file to dozens of wholesale lenders — including jumbo and non-QM specialists — which matters most on the files banks decline. Broker compensation is disclosed on your Loan Estimate, and you talk to me directly from application to closing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the conforming loan limit in Marin County for 2026?

$1,249,125 for a single-family home, the maximum allowed in high-cost areas. Limits for 2–4 units are $1,599,375, $1,933,200 and $2,402,625. Marin’s 2026 FHA limit is also $1,249,125 for a single-family home.

Do most Marin buyers need a jumbo loan?

In southern and central Marin, yes. With 20% down, median-priced homes in Mill Valley, Larkspur, Corte Madera, Tiburon, Ross and Kentfield need loans above $1,249,125. Many Novato and San Rafael homes, and condos countywide, still fit within conforming limits.

How much down payment do I need in Marin?

It depends on the loan. FHA is 3.5%, conforming can be 3–5%, VA is zero, and jumbo lenders commonly want 10–20% or more with strong reserves. Non-warrantable condos usually need 15–25%.

Can I get a Marin mortgage if I’m self-employed?

Yes. You can qualify with two years of tax returns, or with a bank statement program that uses 12–24 months of deposits when your returns understate your income after deductions.

Can I buy a condo in Sausalito or Mill Valley that isn’t Fannie Mae approved?

Often, yes. Portfolio and non-QM lenders finance many non-warrantable condos, usually with a larger down payment. I check the project before you go under contract.

How do fire zones affect my loan?

Your lender needs proof of adequate insurance before closing. In high-risk areas that may mean a FAIR Plan policy plus a DIC policy. Get quotes during your contingency period and include the premium in your budget.

How fast can I get pre-approved?

A basic pre-approval can come quickly once you send complete documents. A fully underwritten pre-approval, which carries more weight with Marin sellers, usually takes a few business days.