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Calexico sits in Imperial County, one of California's most affordable housing markets. Conforming loan limits here give buyers real purchasing power without jumping to jumbo territory.
HousingWire flagged the 30-year fixed hitting 6.57% with applications dropping sharply — that rate environment makes lender selection critical in a price-sensitive market like Calexico.
620
Min Credit Score
3%
Min Down Payment
45%
Max DTI
6.57% (Apr 2026)
30-Year Fixed
21–30 days
Avg Close Time
Conforming Loans in Calexico
Conforming loans follow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines. Most lenders want a 620 minimum credit score, though 740+ gets you the best pricing.
Standard down payment is 3-5% for primary residences. Debt-to-income ratio — your monthly debts divided by gross income — typically must stay under 45%.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect conforming loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Calexico.
Calexico sits in Imperial County, one of California's most affordable housing markets. Conforming loan limits here give buyers real purchasing power without jumping to jumbo territory.
HousingWire flagged the 30-year fixed hitting 6.57% with applications dropping sharply — that rate environment makes lender selection critical in a price-sensitive market like Calexico.
Conforming loans follow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines. Most lenders want a 620 minimum credit score, though 740+ gets you the best pricing.
Not every lender prices conforming loans the same way. Wholesale lenders we access often beat retail bank rates by a meaningful margin.
Calexico's border economy means some borrowers have cross-border income. That needs careful documentation — not every lender handles it well.
Conforming loans are the workhorse product. For salaried W-2 borrowers in Calexico, this is almost always the first program I look at.
Where I see deals fall apart: debt load from installment loans and credit cards pushed DTI over the limit. Clean that up before applying.
FHA loans are the main alternative in Calexico. FHA accepts lower credit scores but adds mortgage insurance that sticks around longer.
If your score is above 700 and you can hit 5% down, conforming almost always beats FHA on total cost over time. Rates vary by borrower profile and market conditions.
Calexico's proximity to Mexicali creates a unique borrower profile. Seasonal agricultural workers and border-economy employees need lenders familiar with variable income documentation.
Imperial County's relatively low property values mean most purchases land comfortably inside conforming limits — you likely won't need a jumbo loan here.
Imperial County uses the standard baseline conforming limit set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Most Calexico home prices fall well below that ceiling.
Yes, but lenders want a 2-year history of that income. Variable seasonal income gets averaged — gaps or short histories cause problems.
Above a 700 score with 5% down, conforming usually wins on cost. FHA is worth comparing below 640 or if your down payment is under 3.5%.
Some lenders accept foreign income with strong documentation. Not all do — this is exactly where having access to multiple lenders matters.
740 and above hits the top pricing tier. Every notch below that typically adds cost to your rate. Rates vary by borrower profile and market conditions.
Typically 21-30 days for a clean file. Complex income or title issues in Imperial County can push that to 45 days.