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Mortgage Learning Center

Every mortgage guide we publish for Las Vegas buyers — conventional loans, pre-approval, rates, PMI, and local market playbooks — organized in one library.

39 expert-reviewed guidesUpdated July 14, 2026Written for Las Vegas & Clark County

Quick answer: A conventional loan is the most common Las Vegas mortgage: 3–5% minimum down, PMI removable at 20% equity, and a 2026 conforming limit of $832,750 in Clark County. Start with the requirements guide, then price your payment with the calculators.

Editor’s picks

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The guides most Las Vegas buyers need first.

7 guides

Start here

What credit score do you need to buy a house in Las Vegas?

What credit score do you need to buy in Las Vegas in 2026? The 620 conventional minimum, how score tiers affect PMI, and how to raise your score.

8-minute readRead guide

Credit union vs mortgage broker in Las Vegas: how to decide in 2026

Credit union or mortgage broker for a Las Vegas home loan? How the two models differ on rates, breadth, eligibility, and fees - and how to decide in 2…

11-minute readRead guide

How to get a home loan in Las Vegas, step by step

How to get a home loan in Las Vegas, step by step — check credit, get pre-approved, shop, offer, underwrite, and close in 2026. NMLS #65506.

9-minute readRead guide

Las Vegas home loans in 2026: types, requirements & how to qualify

How to get a home loan in Las Vegas: compare conventional, FHA, VA and jumbo loans, 2026 Clark County limits, and what you need to qualify.

11-minute readRead guide

Pre-approval vs pre-qualification: what Las Vegas buyers need in 2026

Pre-approval vs pre-qualification in Las Vegas: what each means, which one sellers want in 2026, and how to get pre-approved fast. NMLS #65506.

7-minute readRead guide

Pre-qualified vs pre-approved: what's the difference?

Pre-qualified is a quick estimate; pre-approved is a verified lender review. See the difference and which Las Vegas buyers need.

6-minute readRead guide

Second home loan in Las Vegas: how the financing works

Las Vegas is a top second-home market. Learn how conventional second-home loans work, how they differ from investment properties, and what to expect.

8-minute readRead guide

13 guides

Rates, PMI & costs

ARM vs fixed-rate mortgage in Las Vegas: which one fits you?

How adjustable-rate and fixed-rate mortgages differ, who each fits, and the 2008-era safeguards on today's ARMs - a Las Vegas buyer's guide for 2026.

9-minute readRead guide

Clark County conforming loan strategy for 2026 buyers

How Clark County buyers can use the 2026 conforming loan limit, down payment options, PMI planning, credit score prep, and seller credits.

23-minute readRead guide

Clark County property taxes in 2026: what Las Vegas buyers actually pay

Clark County property taxes in 2026: Nevada's 35% assessed ratio, $3.20–$3.50 per $100 rate, 3% cap — what Las Vegas buyers pay and how to claim it.

8-minute readRead guide

What's in your Las Vegas mortgage payment? PITI explained for 2026

What's really in your Las Vegas mortgage payment in 2026 — principal, interest, Clark County taxes, insurance, PMI, and HOA, with a live PITI calculat…

9-minute readRead guide

Mortgage recast in Las Vegas: how to lower your payment in 2026

How a Las Vegas mortgage recast works: a lump-sum payment re-amortizes your loan to lower your monthly payment while keeping your rate and term.

10-minute readRead guide

Moving to Las Vegas from California: the 2026 mortgage and tax math

How your California income and equity qualify for a 2026 Las Vegas conventional mortgage - relocation income docs, no-state-tax buying power, honest m…

11-minute readRead guide

Nevada Down-Payment Assistance Tracker 2026

Nevada DPA tracker 2026 — 5 active programs compared: Worker Advantage $20K at 0%, Home Is Possible, stacking rules for Clark County buyers. NMLS #655…

9-minute readRead guide

Nevada property tax: a Las Vegas home buyer's guide (2026)

Nevada has no state income tax and low property tax. See how that tax-burden edge lifts your Las Vegas buying power when relocating in 2026.

9-minute readRead guide

Nevada Worker Advantage program: $20,000 DPA for Las Vegas home buyers

The Nevada Worker Advantage program offers up to $20,000 in down payment assistance to eligible workers buying a Las Vegas home. See how to qualify.

9-minute readRead guide

PMI on a conventional loan in Nevada: what to know

PMI is required on most conventional loans with less than 20% down. Learn how it works, what it costs, and how to remove it in Las Vegas and Nevada.

8-minute readRead guide

PMI vs LPMI vs 20% down: the break-even logic for Las Vegas buyers

PMI, LPMI, or 20% down on a Las Vegas conventional loan? How each option works, when each wins, and how PMI cancellation rules change the math in 2026…

8-minute readRead guide

2-1 and 3-2-1 rate buydowns on new construction in Las Vegas (2026)

How 2-1 and 3-2-1 rate buydowns work on Las Vegas new construction: why you qualify at the note rate, who funds the escrow, and temporary vs. permanen…

12-minute readRead guide

3 guides

Loan limits & options

14 guides

Buying in Las Vegas

15-year vs 30-year mortgage in Las Vegas: which term fits you?

Which term fits your Las Vegas home? Compare the payment, total interest, and equity-build trade-offs between a 15-year and a 30-year mortgage in 2026…

8-minute readRead guide

Cash-out refinance in Las Vegas: access your home equity in 2026

A cash-out refinance replaces your mortgage with a larger loan and returns the difference in cash. How it works for Las Vegas homeowners in 2026.

7-minute readRead guide

Conventional loan guide for Clark County, Nevada

Clark County conventional loan guide: down payment, PMI, the $832,750 conforming limit, credit, appraisal, FHA, and VA comparisons.

11-minute readRead guide

Conventional loan guide for Washoe County, Nevada

Washoe County buyers can review conventional loan basics, conforming limit verification, PMI, payment planning, reserves, and appraisal.

11-minute readRead guide

Conventional refinance in Las Vegas: when and how to refi

A conventional refinance lets Las Vegas homeowners change their term, remove PMI, or refinance out of an FHA loan. When it makes sense and how it work…

8-minute readRead guide

HELOC vs home equity loan in Las Vegas: key differences

Compare HELOCs and home equity loans for Las Vegas homeowners. Learn how each works, which fits your project, and what lenders look for in Nevada.

8-minute readRead guide

Conventional loan guide for Henderson, Nevada

A Henderson conventional loan readiness guide: down payment, PMI, credit, DTI, HOA dues, cash to close, reserves, and a stronger pre-approval.

10-minute readRead guide

How long does it take to buy a house in Las Vegas?

How long does it take to buy a house in Las Vegas? The 2026 timeline from pre-approval to closing — about 30–45 days — step by step. NMLS #65506.

7-minute readRead guide

What income do you need to buy a house in Las Vegas?

Income needed to buy a house in Las Vegas 2026 — the salary for a $375k-$525k home using the 28/36 rule, plus low-down and DPA options. NMLS #65506.

7-minute readRead guide

Las Vegas move-up buyer conventional loan guide

Move-up buyers in Las Vegas can plan sale timing, equity, the new payment, contingencies, cash to close, and conventional loan options.

11-minute readRead guide

Mortgage broker in Summerlin, Las Vegas: your local guide for 2026

A local mortgage broker for Summerlin, Las Vegas — conventional and jumbo home loans, the $832,750 conforming line, and villages we serve. NMLS #65506…

8-minute readRead guide

Conventional loan guide for North Las Vegas

North Las Vegas buyers can compare conventional and FHA paths, including credit, down payment, PMI vs MIP, cash to close, and property fit.

10-minute readRead guide

Self-employed & 1099 mortgage in Las Vegas: 2026 qualification guide

How Las Vegas 1099, gig, and self-employed buyers qualify for a 2026 conventional mortgage: Schedule C math, add-backs, docs, and bank-statement loans…

11-minute readRead guide

Conventional loan guide for Summerlin buyers

Summerlin buyers: compare conforming vs jumbo at the $832,750 limit, plus PMI, HOA dues, taxes, reserves, and the full payment before you focus on rat…

11-minute readRead guide

2 guides

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Valley West Mortgage · NMLS #65506 · Equal Housing Opportunity · Educational content — not a quote, offer, or commitment to lend.

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This page is built to answer a specific conventional loan question, but the right move depends on your credit, property, budget, timing, and local Nevada details. Start with the calculator or guide below, then ask Valley West to compare the real options.