Loading
Loading
St. Helena is one of the most expensive zip codes in Napa County. Buyers here rarely fit conventional lending boxes.
Portfolio ARMs exist outside the standard secondary market. Lenders write their own rules — and that matters in a market like this.
5, 7, or 10 Years
Fixed Period Options
680+
Typical Min Credit Score
Flexible / Asset-Based
Income Doc Requirement
Non-QM / Portfolio
Loan Type
Adjustable After Fixed
Rate Type
Portfolio ARMs in St. Helena
These are non-QM loans. That means no strict debt-to-income caps, no W-2 requirements, and no agency guidelines to satisfy.
Most portfolio ARM lenders want strong reserves, a solid credit profile, and real asset depth. Expect to show 12-24 months of liquid assets.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect portfolio arms eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in St. Helena.
St. Helena is one of the most expensive zip codes in Napa County. Buyers here rarely fit conventional lending boxes.
Portfolio ARMs exist outside the standard secondary market. Lenders write their own rules — and that matters in a market like this.
These are non-QM loans. That means no strict debt-to-income caps, no W-2 requirements, and no agency guidelines to satisfy.
Portfolio ARMs don't come from your average retail bank. They're held in-house by lenders who underwrite to their own standards.
At SRK CAPITAL, we work with 200+ wholesale lenders — several of whom specialize in exactly this product for high-value California markets.
HousingWire flagged a 10.4% drop in mortgage applications as the 30-year fixed hit 6.57%. ARM demand shifted as a result. For St. Helena buyers, that shift creates real opportunity.
A portfolio ARM with a 5 or 7-year fixed period can price meaningfully below a 30-year fixed. If your exit is a sale or refinance within that window, the rate savings are substantial. Rates vary by borrower profile and market conditions.
A conventional jumbo forces you into agency guidelines. A DSCR loan prices off rental income. A portfolio ARM fits neither of those molds — it's underwritten on the lender's judgment.
Bank statement loans are close cousins. But portfolio ARMs often allow more asset types and larger loan sizes. For self-employed buyers with complex financials, that flexibility can be decisive.
St. Helena properties often include vineyards, agricultural land, or mixed-use structures. Standard appraisals get complicated fast.
Portfolio lenders can accommodate unique collateral. That's a direct advantage in a market where the property itself doesn't fit a standard mold.
The lender keeps it on their own books instead of selling it. That means they set the terms — no agency rules apply.
Many portfolio ARM lenders skip tax returns entirely. Asset documentation and reserves often carry more weight.
Some portfolio lenders handle agricultural or mixed-use collateral. It depends on the lender's appetite — we know which ones will.
Most run 5, 7, or 10 years before the rate adjusts. After that, it typically adjusts annually based on an index.
Initial ARM rates are usually lower than 30-year fixed jumbo rates. Rates vary by borrower profile and market conditions.
Most lenders want at least a 680. Stronger credit gets better pricing and fewer conditions on approval.