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Fairfax is a small, tight-inventory town in Marin County. Homes here sell fast and prices run high.
HousingWire flagged that 30-year fixed rates hit 6.57% recently — conventional borrowers in Fairfax feel that directly. Shopping multiple lenders matters more than ever.
620
Min Credit Score
3%
Min Down Payment
80% LTV
PMI Required Above
6.57%*
30-Yr Fixed (Ref.)
21–30 Days
Typical Close Time
Conventional Loans in Fairfax
Conventional loans require at least a 620 credit score. Most lenders price best at 740 or above.
Down payment starts at 3% for some programs. Put down 20% and you skip private mortgage insurance entirely.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect conventional loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Fairfax.
Fairfax is a small, tight-inventory town in Marin County. Homes here sell fast and prices run high.
HousingWire flagged that 30-year fixed rates hit 6.57% recently — conventional borrowers in Fairfax feel that directly. Shopping multiple lenders matters more than ever.
Conventional loans require at least a 620 credit score. Most lenders price best at 740 or above.
Most retail banks quote one rate — their own. We access 200+ wholesale lenders competing for your loan.
Conventional guidelines are set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. But lenders add their own overlays. Those overlays change who gets approved and at what rate.
Fairfax properties sometimes carry quirks — old structures, small lots, mixed zoning. Conventional appraisals can be stricter than buyers expect.
If your score is between 620 and 680, your rate tier takes a real hit. A few months improving your score before applying can save you significantly over 30 years.
FHA loans allow lower scores and higher DTI, but add mandatory mortgage insurance regardless of down payment size.
Jumbo loans kick in above conforming limits — relevant in Marin County given local price points. Conventional conforming stays cheaper when you can structure the deal to fit.
Marin County sits in a high-cost area. Conforming loan limits here are higher than the national baseline — that keeps more buyers in conventional territory.
Fairfax is a desirable but low-inventory market. Sellers expect clean offers. Getting pre-approved with a strong conventional file gives you credibility at the table.
Minimum is 620, but rates improve significantly at 740+. Most Marin County buyers we work with are in that upper tier.
Yes. Put 20% down and PMI is off the table. You can also reach 20% equity later and request cancellation.
Yes. Marin is a designated high-cost area. Higher limits mean more buyers qualify for conventional rather than jumbo financing.
We pull one credit inquiry and shop your file across 200+ wholesale lenders. You get competing offers without repeated hard pulls.
They can be. Conventional appraisals flag deferred maintenance and safety issues. We identify property risks before you're under contract.