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Sausalito sits in one of California's most expensive zip codes. Conventional loans are the standard tool here — not FHA, not exotic products.
HousingWire flagged the 30-year fixed hitting 6.57% with applications dropping over 10%. In Sausalito, buyers are still moving — but they're shopping rates harder.
6.57%
30-Yr Fixed (Apr 2026)
620
Min Credit Score
3–5%
Min Down Payment
20% equity
PMI Cancels At
24–48 hours
Pre-Approval Timeline
Conventional Loans in Sausalito
Most conventional loans require a 620 minimum credit score. To get competitive pricing, you want 740 or above.
Standard down payment is 3% for first-time buyers, 5% otherwise. But in Sausalito, larger down payments are common — they shrink your loan and improve your rate.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect conventional loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Sausalito.
Sausalito sits in one of California's most expensive zip codes. Conventional loans are the standard tool here — not FHA, not exotic products.
HousingWire flagged the 30-year fixed hitting 6.57% with applications dropping over 10%. In Sausalito, buyers are still moving — but they're shopping rates harder.
Most conventional loans require a 620 minimum credit score. To get competitive pricing, you want 740 or above.
SRK CAPITAL shops conventional pricing across 200+ wholesale lenders. Retail banks quote one rate. We compare dozens.
Not every lender prices Marin County properties the same way. Condos, detached homes, and multi-units each carry different rate adjustments.
Sausalito properties move fast. A conventional pre-approval needs to be solid — not a soft pull with conditions buried in the file.
If your loan is near the conforming limit, run the numbers on a jumbo too. Sometimes the jumbo rate wins. We see it happen.
FHA loans carry mortgage insurance for the life of the loan. Conventional PMI drops off at 80% loan-to-value. That difference adds up over time.
ARMs are getting attention as fixed rates climb. A 5/1 or 7/1 ARM can cut your starting rate — useful if you plan to sell or refinance within that window.
Marin County's conforming loan limit is higher than the national baseline. That gives conventional borrowers more room before hitting jumbo territory.
Sausalito has older building stock and some hillside properties. Appraisals can be tricky. Lender underwriting on unique properties varies — choose your lender carefully.
Minimum is 620, but 740+ gets you the best rate tiers. Most Sausalito buyers are well above the floor.
Yes — put 20% down and PMI never applies. Or hit 20% equity later and cancel it.
Yes. Marin is a high-cost county, so the conforming limit exceeds the national baseline. Ask us for the current figure.
If you plan to sell or refi within 5–7 years, an ARM could lower your starting payment. Run both scenarios before deciding.
If your loan amount clears the conforming limit, you're in jumbo territory. Jumbo rates sometimes beat conforming — we check both.
A solid pre-approval takes 24–48 hours with complete documentation. Sausalito sellers expect clean, credible offers.