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Willows is a small agricultural city in Glenn County. Home prices here sit well below California's coastal markets.
That's good news for conforming loan borrowers. The 2026 baseline conforming limit covers most purchases in this area comfortably.
620
Min Credit Score
3%
Min Down Payment
At 20% equity
PMI Removal
6.57% (market avg)
30-Yr Fixed (Apr 2026)
Conforming Loans in Willows
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac set the rules. You need a 620 minimum credit score to qualify for most conforming loans.
Down payment starts at 3% for first-time buyers. Conventional conforming loans require private mortgage insurance below 20% down.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect conforming loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Willows.
Willows is a small agricultural city in Glenn County. Home prices here sit well below California's coastal markets.
That's good news for conforming loan borrowers. The 2026 baseline conforming limit covers most purchases in this area comfortably.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac set the rules. You need a 620 minimum credit score to qualify for most conforming loans.
Conforming loans trade on the secondary market. That means hundreds of wholesale lenders compete for these loans — rates vary.
Retail banks in small towns like Willows rarely offer the most competitive pricing. A broker with wholesale access shops the spread.
HousingWire flagged that the 30-year fixed hit 6.57% and applications dropped over 10% week-over-week as of early April 2026. Rates vary by borrower profile and market conditions.
In a slower application environment, lenders get hungrier. That creates room to negotiate pricing on conforming loans — especially in lower-volume rural markets like Willows.
FHA loans allow lower credit scores but carry mortgage insurance for the life of the loan in many cases. Conforming loans let you drop PMI once you hit 20% equity.
Jumbo loans don't apply to most Willows buyers. If your purchase price stays under the conforming limit, you get better rates by staying conforming.
Glenn County is agricultural land. Some properties include acreage, outbuildings, or mixed-use features that complicate appraisals.
Conforming loan appraisals must meet Fannie and Freddie standards. Rural properties with income-producing land or non-standard features can get flagged — know this before you apply.
Glenn County follows the baseline conforming limit set by FHFA. Most Willows purchases fall well within that ceiling.
It depends on how the property is classified. Fannie and Freddie have strict rules on agricultural and mixed-use parcels.
Conforming loans use risk-based pricing. A 760 score gets a better rate than a 640 — sometimes by 0.5% or more.
No. You can put down as little as 3%. PMI applies until you reach 20% equity in the home.
Local banks price for profit margins. A wholesale broker shops your loan across 200+ lenders and finds the most competitive rate.