Expert guides, rate insights, and mortgage education — all in one place. Written and reviewed by Vatche Saatdjian, Valley West Mortgage's principal broker since 2004.
The 2026 Fannie/Freddie conforming limit is $806,500 in Clark County — here's exactly what that means for your purchase price and why loans above it become jumbo.
Read GuidePrivate mortgage insurance protects the lender when your down payment is under 20%. Here's exactly how PMI is priced, how much it costs, and when it automatically cancels.
Read GuideFHA is easier to qualify for; conventional is often cheaper once your credit score hits 700+. This side-by-side breaks down exactly which loan wins in each Las Vegas scenario.
Read GuideThe four pillars of conventional loan qualification — credit score, DTI ratio, LTV, and reserves — explained for Nevada borrowers with real Clark County numbers.
Read GuideA county-by-county breakdown of the 2026 FHFA conforming limits across Nevada, including multi-unit properties and why no Nevada county is a high-cost area.
Read GuideNo hard credit pull. We shop 50+ wholesale lenders to find your lowest conventional rate.
A 15-year saves tens of thousands in lifetime interest but raises your monthly payment — here's the exact break-even math for a typical Las Vegas purchase price.
Read GuideYou don't have to wait for automatic cancellation at 78% LTV. Learn the two ways to request PMI removal early — including whether a new appraisal is worth it.
Read GuideFannie Mae and Freddie Mac allow up to 45–50% DTI on automated approvals. Here's how your ratio is calculated and which debts actually count.
Read GuideEvery down-payment tier affects your PMI rate, interest rate, and monthly cost differently. This guide shows you the real trade-offs at each level for a Las Vegas buyer.
Read GuideA conforming conventional loan meets Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac purchase guidelines — including the 2026 loan limit of $806,500 for Clark County, Nevada. Conforming loans have standardized terms, competitive rates, and PMI that cancels automatically at 78% LTV. Loans above this limit are jumbo.
The minimum is 3% down for first-time buyers using Fannie Mae HomeReady or Freddie Mac Home Possible programs. Standard conventional loans require 5% minimum. At 20% down you avoid PMI entirely. Valley West Mortgage NMLS #65506 can quote all down-payment tiers — call (702) 696-9900.
Most conventional loan programs require a minimum 620 FICO score. A 740+ score earns you the best pricing tier with the lowest PMI rates. Between 620 and 740, you'll still qualify but pay a higher PMI rate and possibly a slightly higher note rate. Review your credit 60–90 days before applying.
Under the federal Homeowners Protection Act, your lender must automatically cancel PMI once your loan balance reaches 78% of the original purchase price, provided payments are current. You can request cancellation at 80% LTV — the lender may require a new appraisal. Use the Valley West Mortgage calculator to see exactly when PMI drops off your scenario.
The 2026 Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac baseline conforming limit is $806,500 for a single-family home in Nevada, including Clark County (Las Vegas). No Nevada county exceeds this baseline. Loans above $806,500 are jumbo loans. Valley West Mortgage has an in-house jumbo desk for files up to $3 million.
Vatche Saatdjian reviews every file personally. Get a same-day quote from 50+ wholesale lenders — no hard credit pull to start.
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