A HELOC is a variable-rate revolving line secured by your home. Fixed second mortgages give a lump sum at a fixed rate. Both preserve your existing first mortgage, which usually matters most when your first is locked below 5%. Here is how the program works specifically for buyers, owners, and investors in Marin County and the rest of Marin County.
$1,209,750 conforming, jumbo above
≈ $1.55M
85-90%
$25K - $500K+
Marin is jumbo territory. Median loan sizes require comparing pricing across banks, credit unions, and portfolio lenders to find the right rate versus reserve requirement trade-off.
A homeowner needing $150,000 for an addition, with a first mortgage locked in at 2.875%.
A cash-out refinance would have repriced the entire balance. The HELOC kept the cheap first mortgage intact and cost a fraction in interest over the project.
Examples are illustrative composites of typical files, not offers of credit or guarantees of terms.
San Rafael, Mill Valley, Novato, Tiburon, Sausalito, Corte Madera, Larkspur
Full Marin County market pageYes. HELOC & Equity Access are available throughout Marin County. Access equity without touching your low first-mortgage rate. Mark compares pricing across 80+ wholesale lenders and picks the one whose guidelines fit Marin County property types and your file.
$1,209,750 conforming, jumbo above. Above that amount the file is priced as a jumbo or portfolio loan, which changes reserve and documentation requirements.
Most purchases close in 21 to 30 days, and rush files have closed faster when the appraisal and insurance are ordered on day one. Local considerations here: Post-close liquidity reserves, Wildfire insurance eligibility in some zip codes, Appraisal comps in low-volume neighborhoods.
If your current first is below 5%, almost always HELOC or fixed second. Above 6.5%, a cash-out refi may make sense. We model both against your actual timeline before recommending.
Many lines close in two to three weeks because they use an automated valuation rather than a full appraisal.
Mark Dankman, NMLS #251068, 925.934.6600, mail@resourcehomeloan.com