Question 1

What's the conforming loan limit in Sonoma?

Accepted Answer

$806,500 for single-family homes. Loans above this amount require jumbo financing with different qualification standards and typically higher rates.

Question 2

Can I use conforming loans for vineyard properties?

Accepted Answer

Depends on price and classification. If it's residential under $806,500, yes. Working vineyards classified as commercial need specialized agricultural financing.

Question 3

How much down payment do I need?

Accepted Answer

Minimum 3% for first-time buyers, 5% for others. You avoid PMI at 20% down. Higher down payments improve rates slightly.

Question 4

What credit score gets me the best rate?

Accepted Answer

740+ unlocks the best pricing tiers. You can qualify at 620, but every 20-point increase saves you money monthly.

Question 5

How do Sonoma property taxes affect qualification?

Accepted Answer

Lenders include property taxes in DTI calculations. Sonoma averages around 1.1% of assessed value. This affects how much house you can afford.

Conforming Loans in Sonoma: Finance Wine Country Homes Within GSE Limits