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Tehachapi sits at the edge of Kern County with a mix of rural land, single-family homes, and mountain properties. Conventional loans fit this market well for buyers with solid credit.
HousingWire flagged the 30-year fixed hitting 6.57% with applications dropping sharply. For Tehachapi buyers, locking a rate now matters more than waiting.
6.57%
30-Year Fixed (Apr 2026)
620
Min Credit Score
3%
Min Down Payment
45%
Max DTI (typical)
At 80% LTV
PMI Cancellation
Conventional Loans in Tehachapi
Most lenders want a 620 credit score minimum for conventional approval. A 740+ score gets you the best pricing.
You need 3% down for a single-family primary residence. Investment properties and second homes require more — typically 10-25%.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect conventional loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Tehachapi.
Tehachapi sits at the edge of Kern County with a mix of rural land, single-family homes, and mountain properties. Conventional loans fit this market well for buyers with solid credit.
HousingWire flagged the 30-year fixed hitting 6.57% with applications dropping sharply. For Tehachapi buyers, locking a rate now matters more than waiting.
Most lenders want a 620 credit score minimum for conventional approval. A 740+ score gets you the best pricing.
Tehachapi is a smaller market. Not every lender prices rural and semi-rural Kern County properties the same way.
We shop conventional pricing across 200+ wholesale lenders. Appraiser familiarity with the area affects value — we know which lenders handle this market cleanly.
Conventional beats FHA for borrowers with 740+ credit. No upfront mortgage insurance premium and lower monthly costs.
Land-heavy parcels in Tehachapi need careful underwriting. Some lenders won't touch them. We find the ones that will.
FHA loans allow lower credit scores but add mortgage insurance for the life of the loan in most cases. Conventional PMI cancels automatically.
Jumbo kicks in above the conforming loan limit. Most Tehachapi purchases fall under that threshold — conventional conforming is the right call.
Kern County properties with agricultural zoning or large lots can complicate appraisals. Lenders use comparable sales — and Tehachapi's pool is limited.
Wind energy easements appear on some Tehachapi parcels. Disclose early. The wrong lender will kill the deal at underwriting.
Most lenders require 620 minimum. A 740+ score gets you significantly better pricing on rate and PMI.
Yes, but lender acceptance varies. We match rural Kern County properties to lenders experienced with larger lots.
Primary residences can go as low as 3% down. Second homes and investment properties require more.
Yes. Once you hit 80% loan-to-value, lenders must cancel PMI. FHA mortgage insurance rarely works the same way.
Kern County's conforming limit covers most Tehachapi purchases. Anything above requires a jumbo loan.
Disclose it immediately. Some lenders won't approve it. We find lenders comfortable with Tehachapi's easement reality.