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Cupertino sits in one of the most expensive zip codes in California. Conforming loans cap out — meaning most buyers here need to know exactly where that ceiling falls.
The conforming limit for Santa Clara County is higher than the national baseline. California's high-cost area designation gives buyers more room before crossing into jumbo territory.
620
Min Credit Score
45%
Max DTI
3%
Min Down Payment
6.57% (Apr 2026)
30-Yr Fixed (Market)
Conforming Loans in Cupertino
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac set the rules here. You need a 620 minimum credit score, but realistically, scores below 700 will cost you in rate.
Debt-to-income ratio — your monthly debts divided by gross income — needs to stay under 45%. In Cupertino, high earners often qualify easily on income. The loan limit is the bigger hurdle.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect conforming loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Cupertino.
Cupertino sits in one of the most expensive zip codes in California. Conforming loans cap out — meaning most buyers here need to know exactly where that ceiling falls.
The conforming limit for Santa Clara County is higher than the national baseline. California's high-cost area designation gives buyers more room before crossing into jumbo territory.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac set the rules here. You need a 620 minimum credit score, but realistically, scores below 700 will cost you in rate.
Every major bank offers conforming loans. That sounds like an advantage — it isn't. Banks quote retail rates. Wholesale lenders we access routinely beat them.
With 200+ wholesale lenders behind us, we see pricing competition that a single bank branch never will. Conforming loans are commodities. The rate you get depends on who's shopping for you.
HousingWire flagged a 10.4% drop in mortgage applications as the 30-year fixed hit 6.57%. For Cupertino buyers on conforming loans, that rate environment tightens monthly payment math fast.
Rates vary by borrower profile and market conditions. Lock strategy matters more than most buyers realize. A float-down option or 45-day lock can be the difference on a competitive offer.
Conforming beats FHA on one key point: no lifetime mortgage insurance. FHA charges MIP — mortgage insurance premium — regardless of equity. Conforming PMI drops off at 20% equity.
Against jumbo loans, conforming wins on rate — usually by 0.25% to 0.5%. If your purchase price fits under the high-cost limit, there's no reason to take a jumbo.
Cupertino's tech-heavy buyer pool means a lot of RSU income and stock comp. Conforming guidelines have specific rules on how that income gets counted — it needs a two-year history to use fully.
Apple, Google, and other nearby employers mean high incomes but also competitive bidding. Sellers here expect clean pre-approvals. A conforming loan with full underwriting backing carries weight in a multiple-offer situation.
Santa Clara County qualifies as a high-cost area. The limit is higher than the national baseline — confirm the current year's figure with us directly.
Yes, but you need a two-year history of receiving it. Fannie Mae requires documented continuance of that income type.
Conforming is a subset of conventional. It means the loan meets Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac size and guideline limits for purchase on the secondary market.
Yes. Once you hit 20% equity, you can request PMI cancellation. It automatically terminates at 22% equity under federal law.
740 and above puts you in the best pricing tier. Scores between 700 and 739 are still solid but expect a small rate adjustment.
If your loan amount fits under the conforming limit, go conforming — the rate is almost always lower. Jumbo only makes sense when you need more.