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Corte Madera sits in Marin County — one of the most expensive real estate markets in California. Conforming loans have strict limits, and that matters here.
HousingWire flagged the 30-year fixed hitting 6.57% with applications dropping sharply. For conforming borrowers in Corte Madera, rate sensitivity is real. Rates vary by borrower profile and market conditions.
620
Min Credit Score
3%
Min Down Payment
~45%
Max DTI
6.57%*
30-Yr Fixed (as of Apr 2026)
Conforming Loans in Corte Madera
Conforming loans follow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines. Most lenders want a 620 credit score minimum, but 740+ gets you the best pricing.
Down payment starts at 3% for qualifying borrowers. 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 Corte Madera.
Corte Madera sits in Marin County — one of the most expensive real estate markets in California. Conforming loans have strict limits, and that matters here.
HousingWire flagged the 30-year fixed hitting 6.57% with applications dropping sharply. For conforming borrowers in Corte Madera, rate sensitivity is real. Rates vary by borrower profile and market conditions.
Conforming loans follow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines. Most lenders want a 620 credit score minimum, but 740+ gets you the best pricing.
Conforming loans are the most competitive product in mortgage lending. Every bank, credit union, and broker has access to them.
That competition is good for you. We shop across 200+ wholesale lenders to find the sharpest rate on the same Fannie Mae product.
In Marin, the conforming loan limit matters enormously. If your purchase price pushes you even $1 over the limit, you're in jumbo territory with different rules.
Know your number before you shop. Many Corte Madera buyers assume they can use a conforming loan, then find out at pre-approval they need jumbo.
FHA loans allow lower credit scores but add mortgage insurance that's harder to remove. Conforming loans drop PMI automatically once you hit 20% equity.
Jumbo loans cover higher price points but require bigger reserves and stricter underwriting. If you fit inside the conforming limit, this is the cleaner path.
Corte Madera home prices are high. Many properties will exceed the conforming loan limit, pushing buyers into jumbo product whether they plan for it or not.
If you find a property within conforming range, move fast. Those listings don't sit long in Marin County.
Marin County qualifies for high-cost area limits set by the FHFA. Check current limits before assuming your purchase qualifies.
Yes, if the loan amount stays within the conforming limit. Most Corte Madera properties will require more down or a jumbo loan.
PMI — private mortgage insurance — is required below 20% down. It cancels automatically when your equity reaches 20%.
For borrowers with 620+ credit, conforming usually wins. FHA adds upfront and monthly insurance costs that conforming avoids.
You need at least 620 to qualify. A 740+ score puts you in the top pricing tier and meaningfully lowers your rate.
You move into jumbo loan territory. That means different lenders, stricter income documentation, and typically larger reserve requirements.