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Mountain View sits in one of the most expensive housing markets in the country. Conventional loans are the go-to financing tool here — especially for tech workers with strong W-2 income.
HousingWire flagged a 10.4% week-over-week drop in mortgage applications as the 30-year fixed hit 6.57%. For conventional borrowers in Mountain View, that rate environment means your buying power is tighter than it was 18 months ago. Rates vary by borrower profile and market conditions.
620
Min Credit Score
740+
Best Rate Score
3% (first-time)
Min Down Payment
~6.57% market avg
30-Yr Fixed (as of Apr 2026)
80% LTV
PMI Cancels At
Conventional Loans in Mountain View
Most conventional loans require a 620 minimum credit score. But in Mountain View, lenders competing for well-qualified borrowers will price you best at 740 or above.
Standard down payment is 3% for first-time buyers, 5% for repeat buyers. Put 20% down and you skip private mortgage insurance (PMI) — a real monthly savings at Silicon Valley price points.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect conventional loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Mountain View.
Mountain View sits in one of the most expensive housing markets in the country. Conventional loans are the go-to financing tool here — especially for tech workers with strong W-2 income.
HousingWire flagged a 10.4% week-over-week drop in mortgage applications as the 30-year fixed hit 6.57%. For conventional borrowers in Mountain View, that rate environment means your buying power is tighter than it was 18 months ago. Rates vary by borrower profile and market conditions.
Most conventional loans require a 620 minimum credit score. But in Mountain View, lenders competing for well-qualified borrowers will price you best at 740 or above.
We shop conventional pricing across 200+ wholesale lenders. Retail banks post one rate. We see what dozens of investors are actually pricing that week.
Conventional loans also have two flavors here: conforming (within FHFA loan limits for Santa Clara County) and jumbo. Many Mountain View purchases will push into jumbo territory — know which product you're actually getting.
Stock compensation is common in Mountain View. RSUs and bonuses count as income — but lenders handle them differently. Some average two years. Others require vesting to continue.
If your income is heavy on equity comp, how your file gets structured matters more than which lender you pick. Get that wrong and you're denied on paper despite earning $400K a year.
FHA loans carry mortgage insurance for the loan's life unless you refinance out. Conventional PMI drops automatically at 80% loan-to-value. That's a meaningful difference over five years.
ARMs are getting renewed attention as fixed rates stay elevated. A 7/1 ARM at a lower start rate can work well for a tech buyer who expects to move or refi within the fixed period.
Mountain View's proximity to Google and major VC corridors means bidding wars are still common on well-priced inventory. Pre-approval letters matter — but so does the lender behind them.
Sellers in this market recognize strong conventional offers. All-cash and conventional with 20%+ down get taken seriously. FHA offers face seller hesitation due to appraisal requirements.
Minimum is 620, but 740+ gets you the best pricing. Most competitive buyers here are well above that threshold.
Yes, but lenders typically require two years of vesting history. How that income is averaged varies by lender — structure matters.
Only if you put less than 20% down. PMI cancels automatically once you reach 80% loan-to-value — unlike FHA mortgage insurance.
Santa Clara County qualifies for high-cost area limits set by FHFA. Loans above that limit are jumbo and priced differently.
Sellers prefer conventional. FHA appraisals have stricter property conditions, which some sellers want to avoid.
It depends on your timeline. If you plan to sell or refi within 7 years, an ARM's lower start rate may save you money.