What are Conventional Loans and Conforming Loans?

By definition, a Conventional Loan is any mortgage that’s not guaranteed or insured by the federal government. Colorado conventional loans may be either “conforming” and “non-conforming”, although ‘conventional loans’ generally refer to ‘conforming loans’. Therefore Colorado conventional loan limits are the same thing as Colorado conforming loan limits.

Colorado Conventional Loan Limits

What is the maximum amount that I can borrow?

Conventional loan limits in Colorado are determined by:

  • Colorado Conventional Loan LimitsMaximum LTV Ratio:  The maximum financing loan-to-value ratio for conventional mortgages is 80% – 97% of the appraised value of the home or its selling price, whichever is lower. Learn how to calculate loan-to-value.
  • Maximum Loan Amount: Conventional loan limits in Colorado are set at the floor amount of $424,100 across most of the state. Metro areas in CO with a conforming limit of $424,100 include Denver, Aurora, Colorado Springs and Boulder. Areas with higher limits include Breckenridge, Vail, Steamboat Springs and Aspen.

Search all Conventional Loan Limits in Colorado:

County Name
Area
1-Unit
2-Unit
3-Unit
4-Unit
ADAMSDENVER-AURORA-LAKEWOOD, CO$575,000$736,100$889,800$1,105,800
ALAMOSANON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
ARAPAHOEDENVER-AURORA-LAKEWOOD, CO$575,000$736,100$889,800$1,105,800
ARCHULETANON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
BACANON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
BENTNON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
BOULDERBOULDER, CO$644,000$824,450$996,550$1,238,500
BROOMFIELDDENVER-AURORA-LAKEWOOD, CO$575,000$736,100$889,800$1,105,800
CHAFFEENON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
CHEYENNENON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
CLEAR CREEKDENVER-AURORA-LAKEWOOD, CO$575,000$736,100$889,800$1,105,800
CONEJOSNON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
COSTILLANON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
CROWLEYNON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
CUSTERNON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
DELTANON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
DENVERDENVER-AURORA-LAKEWOOD, CO$575,000$736,100$889,800$1,105,800
DOLORESNON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
DOUGLASDENVER-AURORA-LAKEWOOD, CO$575,000$736,100$889,800$1,105,800
EAGLEEDWARDS, CO$750,950$961,350$1,162,050$1,444,150
EL PASOCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
ELBERTDENVER-AURORA-LAKEWOOD, CO$575,000$736,100$889,800$1,105,800
FREMONTCANON CITY, CO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
GARFIELDGLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO$765,600$980,325$1,184,925$1,472,550
GILPINDENVER-AURORA-LAKEWOOD, CO$575,000$736,100$889,800$1,105,800
GRANDNON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
GUNNISONNON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
HINSDALENON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
HUERFANONON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
JACKSONNON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
JEFFERSONDENVER-AURORA-LAKEWOOD, CO$575,000$736,100$889,800$1,105,800
KIOWANON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
KIT CARSONNON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
LA PLATADURANGO, CO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
LAKENON-METRO$625,500$800,775$967,950$1,202,925
LARIMERFORT COLLINS, CO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
LAS ANIMASNON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
LINCOLNNON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
LOGANSTERLING, CO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
MESAGRAND JUNCTION, CO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
MINERALNON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
MOFFATCRAIG, CO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
MONTEZUMANON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
MONTROSEMONTROSE, CO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
MORGANFORT MORGAN, CO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
OTERONON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
OURAYMONTROSE, CO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
PARKDENVER-AURORA-LAKEWOOD, CO$575,000$736,100$889,800$1,105,800
PHILLIPSNON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
PITKINGLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO$765,600$980,325$1,184,925$1,472,550
PROWERSNON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
PUEBLOPUEBLO, CO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
RIO BLANCONON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
RIO GRANDENON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
ROUTTSTEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO$638,250$817,050$987,650$1,227,400
SAGUACHENON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
SAN JUANNON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
SAN MIGUELNON-METRO$625,500$800,775$967,950$1,202,925
SEDGWICKNON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
SUMMITBRECKENRIDGE, CO$625,500$800,775$967,950$1,202,925
TELLERCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
WASHINGTONNON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
WELDGREELEY, CO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700
YUMANON-METRO$510,400$653,550$789,950$981,700

Colorado conforming limits can change anytime. Check back often to ensure accuracy.

What factors determine if i’m eligible for a Conventional Loan in Colorado?

Conventional conforming loans follow the terms and conditions set forth by government sponsored enterprises (GSE’s) like Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. To be eligible for a Conforming Loan in Colorado, your monthly housing costs (mortgage principal and interest, property taxes, and insurance) must meet a specified percentage of your gross monthly income. Your credit background will be considered. A FICO credit score of 620 or above is generally required to obtain a conventional loan approval. You must also have enough income to pay your housing costs plus all additional monthly debt.

How much money will I need for the down payment and closing costs?

Conventional home loans require the home buyer to invest between 3% and 20% of the sales price towards the down payment and closing costs. If the sales price is $100,000 for example, the mortgage applicant must invest at least $3,000 – $20,000 to meet conventional mortgage down payment requirements, depending on the program.

Minimum Colorado Conventional Loan Down Payment:

Residence UsageFixed-Rate Mortgage (FRM)Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM)
1 Unit Primary3% Down Payment10% Down Payment
2 Units Primary15% Down Payment25% Down Payment
3 Units Primary25% Down Payment35% Down Payment
4 Units Primary25% Down Payment35% Down Payment
1 Unit Second Home10% Down Payment20% Down Payment
1 Unit Investment15% Down Payment25% Down Payment
2 Units Investment25% Down Payment35% Down Payment
3 Units Investment25% Down Payment35% Down Payment
4 Units Investment25% Down Payment35% Down Payment

What property types are allowed for Conventional Conforming Mortgages?

CO Conventional Loan RequirementsConventional mortgage guidelines allow you to purchase warrantable condos, planned unit developments, modular homes, manufactured homes, and 1-4 family residences. Conventional loans can be used to finance primary residences, second homes and investment property.

Learn more about conventional mortgages.

What types of mortgage and refinance programs do Conventional Loans offer in Colorado?

There are several varieties of standard home purchase, first-time home buyer and conventional refinance loans available in Colorado:

  • Conventional Purchase Loans – Conventional loans offer a variety of programs for applicants with good credit ratings to buy a home. Both 3% down mortgage and 5% down mortgage options are available, however 20% down is the minimum amount required to avoid private mortgage insurance.
  • Conventional Rate/Term Refinance: Conventional Rate/Term refinancing loans are for borrowers who currently have an FHA, VA, USDA or conventional fixed rate mortgage or ARM loan and wish to refinance into a conventional mortgage with a lower interest rate. If you’re a homeowners considering a stable, conventional fixed-rate mortgage, this program may also eliminate your mortgage insurance if you have at 20% equity in your home.  If not, Conventional 97% loan programs may also work for you.
  • Cash-Out Refinance: A Conventional Cash Out Refinance is perfect for the homeowner who wants to access the equity that they have built up in their home. This program is beneficial to homeowners whose property has increased in value since it was purchased.

What factors determine if I am eligible for a Conventional Refinance Loan?

To meet conventional refinance mortgage requirements in Colorado, your monthly housing costs (mortgage principal and interest, property taxes, and insurance) must meet a specified percentage of your gross monthly income. Your credit background will be considered. You must be able to cover closing costs and have enough income to pay your monthly debt.

Conventional Loan Requirements

More Colorado Mortgage Limits

You may also want to visit these additional home loan resources before deciding on a mortgage program:

 

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