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San Leandro's dining scene just expanded with six new restaurants opening across the East Bay, signaling neighborhood momentum. Home prices here reflect Alameda County's $126,240 median household income — a solid foundation for buyers stepping into the market.
Portfolio Arms appeal to buyers who plan to refinance or sell within five to seven years. The initial fixed period locks in a lower rate than a 30-year fixed, then adjusts annually after that window closes.
Lower than 30-year fixed
Starting Rate
3, 5, 7, or 10 years
Fixed Period
680 FICO
Credit Minimum
5% to 20%
Down Payment
21 to 30 days
Closing Timeline
Portfolio ARMs in San Leandro
Portfolio Arms require solid credit — typically 680 FICO minimum, though 700+ gets better pricing. Down payment ranges from 5% to 20%, depending on the lender and your loan amount. Debt-to-income ratio usually caps at 43% to 50%.
Alameda County's $126,240 median household income supports purchases in the $500,000 to $750,000 range comfortably. Lenders verify income, assets, and employment history. Self-employed borrowers need two years of tax returns and profit-and-loss statements.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect portfolio arms eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in San Leandro.
San Leandro's dining scene just expanded with six new restaurants opening across the East Bay, signaling neighborhood momentum. Home prices here reflect Alameda County's $126,240 median household income — a solid foundation for buyers stepping into the market.
Portfolio Arms appeal to buyers who plan to refinance or sell within five to seven years. The initial fixed period locks in a lower rate than a 30-year fixed, then adjusts annually after that window closes.
Portfolio Arms require solid credit — typically 680 FICO minimum, though 700+ gets better pricing. Down payment ranges from 5% to 20%, depending on the lender and your loan amount. Debt-to-income ratio usually caps at 43% to 50%.
Portfolio Arms are offered by portfolio lenders — banks and credit unions that hold loans on their own books rather than selling them. These lenders have flexibility on overlays and can move faster than mortgage brokers selling to the secondary market.
Closing timelines for Portfolio Arms typically run 21 to 30 days. Rates adjust based on the index (usually SOFR) plus a margin set at origination. The margin stays fixed for the life of the loan, even after the initial period ends.
Portfolio Arms make sense for San Leandro buyers who know they'll move or refinance within seven years. The rate savings in year one and two can offset the adjustment risk if you exit before year five.
They don't work for buyers planning to stay 15+ years or those uncomfortable with payment uncertainty. A 3/1 ARM might save 0.5% upfront, but that gap narrows after year three when rates reset.
A 30-year fixed offers payment certainty — your rate and payment never change. Portfolio Arms start lower but reset annually after the initial period, adding payment uncertainty in years 5 and beyond.
If you're selling or refinancing before year five, the ARM's lower starting rate wins. If you're staying put, the fixed-rate's predictability is worth the higher initial payment.
Dublin City Council just approved a 113-unit senior affordable housing project on Regional Street. That kind of neighborhood investment signals stable long-term values for homebuyers in the broader East Bay area.
New restaurants opening across the region — Filipino, burger, Mexican, and Nicaraguan spots — show economic activity and population growth. Neighborhoods with rising dining and retail options tend to attract younger buyers and hold resale appeal.
The first number is the fixed period. A 3/1 locks the rate for three years, then adjusts annually. A 5/1 locks for five years. The longer the fixed period, the higher the starting rate.
That depends on the loan's caps. Most ARMs have a 2% annual cap and a 5% to 6% lifetime cap. If your starting rate is 5%, the maximum could be 10% to 11% over the life of the loan.
Probably not. Portfolio Arms suit buyers planning to sell or refinance within five to seven years. If you're staying 15+ years, a fixed-rate loan eliminates payment shock and gives you certainty.
Refinancing is your main option. If rates have dropped, you refinance to a new fixed or ARM. If rates have risen, refinancing may not help. This is why ARMs work best for short-term owners.
No. Both typically require 5% to 20% down, depending on the lender and your credit score. The difference is the rate structure, not the down payment requirement.