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Sausalito's waterfront homes command premium prices, and the Marin County Fair's return this July signals a community invested in its future.
Bridge financing covers the gap between your new purchase and your current home's sale. You avoid contingencies, compete with all-cash offers, and close on your timeline instead of your buyer's.
7 to 14 days
Typical Close Time
20% to 30% of current home
Equity Needed
680+
Minimum Credit Score
0.5% to 1.5% above permanent
Rate Premium
$142,785
County Median Income
Bridge Loans in Sausalito
Bridge loans require solid credit (typically 680+) and substantial equity in your current home. Lenders want at least 20% to 30% equity available to borrow against.
Marin County's median household income of $142,785 supports purchases well into the $1,000,000+ range. Bridge lenders focus on your home's value and equity, not just income.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect bridge loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Sausalito.
Sausalito's waterfront homes command premium prices, and the Marin County Fair's return this July signals a community invested in its future.
Bridge financing covers the gap between your new purchase and your current home's sale. You avoid contingencies, compete with all-cash offers, and close on your timeline instead of your buyer's.
Bridge loans require solid credit (typically 680+) and substantial equity in your current home. Lenders want at least 20% to 30% equity available to borrow against.
California's bridge market is dominated by specialty lenders and private money shops. Traditional banks rarely offer bridges — they're too short-term and require fast underwriting.
Bridge loans sit outside conventional lending rules. There's no PMI, no appraisal delay, and no 60-day lock-in. Lenders underwrite your equity and exit strategy (the sale of your current home), not just your credit.
Bridge loans make sense in Sausalito when you've found the right home but your current house hasn't sold yet. If you have $300,000+ in equity and a realistic sale timeline within 12 months, a bridge removes the contingency that costs you the deal.
Bridge loans don't make sense if your current home is underwater or if you're uncertain about the sale. Lenders won't lend against equity you don't have. If your sale could take 18+ months, the bridge interest compounds and the loan becomes expensive.
A contingent offer on your new home costs you nothing upfront but loses to all-cash and non-contingent bids in Sausalito's competitive market. Bridge loans cost interest but remove the contingency and let you compete.
Home equity lines (HELOCs) can also bridge the gap, but they're slower to set up and require your current lender's approval. Bridge lenders specialize in speed — they close in days, not weeks.
Hawk Hill's new trails in the Marin Headlands just opened, winding around the decommissioned Nike Missile Site. That kind of infrastructure investment signals Marin County's commitment to preserving open space and quality of life — exactly what draws buyers...
Super Duper's expansion to Corte Madera shows the broader Marin dining and retail scene is growing. Sausalito's waterfront location and proximity to these amenities make it a magnet for buyers willing to pay premium prices.
Bridge lenders typically close in 7 to 14 days. Traditional banks take 30 to 45 days. Speed is the whole point — you remove the contingency and compete with cash offers immediately.
Most bridge loans extend 6 to 12 months. If your home hasn't sold, you refinance the bridge into a permanent mortgage using the equity you have. Plan your sale timeline carefully — lenders won't extend indefinitely.
Yes. Bridge loans are interest-only, which keeps monthly payments low during the short term. Once you sell your current home, you pay off the bridge and move into your permanent mortgage.
Lenders typically want 20% to 30% equity in your current home. On a $1,200,000 Sausalito home, that's $240,000 to $360,000 available to borrow. The more equity, the easier the approval.
Bridge rates run 0.5% to 1.5% above your permanent mortgage rate because the loan is short-term and higher-risk. Rates are available on application based on your equity, credit, and sale timeline.