Dan Ardis  |  NMLS #1412272
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Conventional Home Loans in Bakersfield, California

The most flexible mortgage option for buyers with solid credit. Start with as little as 3% down, access competitive rates, and remove mortgage insurance once you hit 20% equity.

About Conventional Loans

Conventional loans are not backed by a government agency. They're funded by private lenders and conform to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac guidelines. Because they rely on market standards, they offer greater flexibility in property types, loan structures, and terms than government-backed programs.

In Bakersfield, where home prices remain more affordable than Los Angeles or the Bay Area, conventional loans are the most popular choice for buyers with good credit and stable income. Dan shops dozens of lenders to find you the most competitive rates and fees on a conventional mortgage.

Key Features

3%
Minimum Down
HomeReady/Home Possible
620
Min Credit Score
Most competitive rates at 740+
$832,750
2026 Loan Limit
Kern County, CA
Removable
PMI
Auto-drops at 78% LTV

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • PMI removable (unlike FHA MIP)
  • No upfront mortgage insurance fee
  • Available for primary, vacation, investment
  • Higher loan limits than FHA
  • Fixed and adjustable rate options
  • Fewer property condition restrictions

Cons

  • Higher minimum credit score than FHA
  • PMI required with <20% down
  • Stricter debt-to-income requirements
  • Less flexible for buyers with past bankruptcy

FHA or Conventional: Which Is Right for You?

If you're weighing conventional against FHA, here's the 60-second answer.

Conventional Loan FAQs

Resources

Conventional Loan Questions, Comparisons & Local Pages

Q&ACan I buy in Bakersfield with 3% down?HomeReady, Home Possible, and what low-down conventional actually costsQ&AWhat credit score do I need in Bakersfield?How credit score affects your conventional rate and PMI costQ&ACan I buy while paying off student loans?How conventional loans handle IBR and deferred payments differently than FHAQ&ACan rental income be used to qualify?Fannie Mae rules for using rental income on a conventional loanQ&AHow long do I need to be employed?Two-year history rules and exceptions for conventional loansLocalFirst-Time Home Buyer Guide, BakersfieldHomeReady and Home Possible programs explained for Kern County buyersLocalDown Payment Assistance Kern CountyGSFA Platinum grant pairs with conventional loans, no repaymentCompareFHA vs Conventional, Side-by-SideWhen to choose conventional over FHA by credit score and down paymentGuideMortgage Expertise GuidesRSU income, trust income, DSCR, and other scenarios conventional handles uniquelyLocalConventional Loans in Bakersfield, CALocal market context: Kern County conforming limit, typical prices, and when conventional beats FHACompare15-Year vs 30-Year MortgageSide-by-side cost breakdown, when the shorter term saves more, and who it makes sense forCompareConventional vs Jumbo LoanWhen you're near the $832,750 limit, know which side of the line costs lessCompareFixed Rate vs ARM in 2026When a 7/1 ARM beats a 30-year fixed and the break-even mathGuideCommission Income Mortgage QualificationTwo-year history, volatility requirements, and how Dan structures commission-heavy filesReviewFree Mortgage Second OpinionGet a free, honest review of your loan estimate. No credit pull. Denied by your bank? Let's talk.GlossaryGlossary: Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)What PMI actually costs, how to cancel it at 80% LTV, and why it beats FHA MIP at 740+ creditGlossaryGlossary: Conforming Loan LimitThe $832,750 threshold for 2026 Kern County: what stays conventional and what goes jumboGlossaryGlossary: Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI)The 45-50% conventional DTI cap and how lenders calculate every debt obligationGlossaryGlossary: Loan-to-Value Ratio (LTV)How LTV drives PMI cost, rate pricing, and when you need 20% down to skip insurance entirelyArticleWhat Credit Score Do You Really Need to Buy a House?Tier-by-tier breakdown of how each score range affects your conventional rate and PMI costArticleHow Much Down Payment Do You Really Need in 2026?3% vs 5% vs 10% vs 20%: actual cost difference with real Bakersfield purchase price examplesArticleHow Commission Income Is Used to QualifyTwo-year history, YTD earnings, and how volatile commission affects your conventional DTI
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Ready to Get Pre-Approved for a Conventional Loan?

Apply online or call Dan at (661) 342-9381 for a free rate quote.