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. Novato is the most transaction-active city in Marin and I close purchases there across all loan types — FHA, conventional, jumbo, and VA. Call (800) 239-1103.
In Novato, the difference between getting the house and losing it often comes down to one thing: how fast your mortgage broker moves. This is not a market where you take a week to shop rates and circle back. Homes in Novato move quickly, and sellers have options. The buyers who win are the ones who show up prepared — fully approved, with documentation in hand, and a lender who has already called the listing agent.
Novato is the most transaction-active city in Marin County and attracts buyers from across the North Bay and beyond — families from Sonoma, buyers priced out of central Marin, and commuters who want Marin quality at a more accessible price point. That broad demand means Novato inventory, especially in neighborhoods like Ignacio, Bel Marin Keys, and Hamilton, gets absorbed quickly when it’s well-priced.
Pre-Underwriting Before You Offer
A standard pre-approval is a lender’s quick read of your financials — credit score, rough income, a number on a letter. Pre-underwriting is different. It means a full underwriter has reviewed your income documents, asset statements, and credit file and given a conditional approval before you ever write an offer. I complete full pre-underwriting in 24–48 hours.
Novato’s buyer profile is diverse — first-time buyers using FHA loans, conventional buyers in the $1M–$1.5M range, and VA buyers taking advantage of the area’s proximity to Hamilton and the area’s history as a military community. I pre-underwrite across all loan types and ensure that whether you’re using a 3.5% down FHA loan or a 20% down conventional, your file is fully reviewed before you offer.
- Income: W-2, self-employed, RSUs, rental income, bank statement — all documented and signed off
- Assets: Down payment and reserves confirmed with actual account statements
- Credit: Any conditions identified and cleared upfront
- Loan structure: Modeled to the specific purchase price — not a generic approval ceiling
The Call to the Listing Agent
Before every offer my clients submit, I call the listing agent directly. I introduce myself, confirm the buyer’s financing is fully pre-underwritten, answer any questions about the loan structure, and establish that we can close on any timeline the seller needs — typically 14 to 21 days.
Sellers in Novato are often under contract on their next home and have real timing pressure. A listing agent who can tell their seller “I spoke with the lender, they know this file cold, and they said 21 days is no problem” fundamentally changes how a financed offer competes in a multiple-offer situation.
Proof of Funds That Sellers Respect
In Novato, where multiple offers are common at the right price point, a clearly documented proof-of-funds package does real work. Sellers who receive several offers are trying to assess risk — they’ll favor the buyer whose lender package shows exactly where the down payment is coming from and that no surprises are likely to emerge during underwriting.
Every client in Novato gets: a pre-approval letter written for the exact address and purchase price (not a ceiling), redacted bank and investment statements confirming down payment funds are liquid, and my direct number on the letter so the listing agent can call and speak to someone who knows the file — not a call center.
Frequently Asked Questions — Novato CA Mortgage Broker
What are typical home prices and loan amounts in Novato, California?
Novato has the widest price range of any Marin city, with entry-level condos in the $600K–$750K range and single-family homes typically from $900K to $1.8M, with some Novato Hills and waterfront properties above $2M. This means Novato buyers use the full range of loan programs — FHA at 3.5% down for entry-level purchases, conventional conforming up to the 2026 Marin limit of $1,249,125, and jumbo above that. VA loans are also common given Novato’s historical ties to Hamilton Air Force Base. I model the right program for the specific purchase price before the offer goes in.
How competitive is the Novato real estate market?
Novato is the most active resale market in Marin by transaction volume, and well-priced homes in desirable neighborhoods (Hamilton, Bel Marin Keys, central Novato) regularly attract multiple offers within the first week. The buyer pool includes Sonoma County buyers being priced out northward, central Marin buyers stretching for more square footage, and commuters to San Rafael and San Francisco. Competition is real but more manageable than Tiburon or Ross — which makes the pre-underwriting and listing agent call approach especially effective here, since buyers who are genuinely ready can distinguish themselves from those who are not.
Can first-time buyers get a mortgage in Novato?
Yes — Novato is one of the most accessible Marin cities for first-time buyers. FHA loans at 3.5% down work for homes up to the 2026 Marin FHA limit of $1,209,750. CalHFA programs provide down payment assistance and can be layered with FHA or conventional loans. Some Novato condos qualify for conventional financing at lower down payment thresholds. The income limits for CalHFA programs in Marin County are higher than most buyers expect, and many dual-income households earning $150K–$200K combined qualify. I check CalHFA eligibility upfront for every first-time buyer — many who assume they don’t qualify actually do.
See all Marin County mortgage services at DiVita Home Finance
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
