Minimum down payment
3.5% of the purchase price with a credit score of 580 or higher. If your score is between 500 and 579, FHA allows 10% down. Your down payment can come from gifts or down payment assistance programs.
Loan Program · FHA · NMLS #278947
FHA loans: 3.5% down, flexible credit, first-time friendly.
An FHA loan is a government-backed mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration. It is the classic low-down-payment path for first-time buyers: as little as 3.5% down, credit guidelines more forgiving than conventional loans, and a fixed rate you can plan around.
I have funded FHA loans for buyers across Clark County and the Portland metro since 2004. The program makes sense for a lot of first-time buyers, and my job is to show you the real numbers before you commit.
Minimum down payment
3.5%
Minimum credit score
580
2026 limit (1-unit)
$701,500
2026 Loan Limits
The 2026 numbers, county by county.
FHA loan limits are set by HUD for each metro area and updated every year. All four counties we serve sit in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro MSA, so they share the same 2026 FHA limit for a one-unit home:
County 2026 Limit
Clark County, WA $701,500
Multnomah County, OR $701,500
Washington County, OR $701,500
Clackamas County, OR $701,500
The 2026 FHA limit for a one-unit home in this metro is $701,500, up from $695,750 in 2025. The national baseline for 2026 is $541,287; the Portland metro is a high-cost area, so the local limit runs higher. These are the limits HUD published for 2026. They can change, so I always verify the current figure against your exact address.
Minimum Credit Score & Down Payment
What it takes to qualify.
Minimum credit score
580 for the 3.5% down option. Individual lenders can add their own minimums on top of FHA rules, so your exact qualifying score depends on the lender. I shop your file across 170+ lenders to find the one who reads your credit fairly.
Upfront mortgage insurance
FHA charges an upfront premium of 1.75% of the loan amount, financed into the loan. It is part of the numbers I show you up front.
Annual mortgage insurance
An annual premium is paid monthly, and the amount varies with your loan size and down payment. It is built into your payment from day one.
Primary residence only
FHA is for the home you actually live in. For rentals and investment properties, DSCR and other investor programs are usually a better fit.
FAQ · FHA
Questions buyers ask.
The questions people type into Google and AI before they call. If yours is not here, that is what the first call is for.
01 What is the 2026 FHA loan limit in Clark County, WA?
What is the 2026 FHA loan limit in Clark County, WA?
For a one-unit home, the 2026 FHA limit in Clark County is $701,500. Clark County is part of the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro metro, which HUD treats as a high-cost area, so the limit sits above the national baseline of $541,287.
02 What credit score do I need for an FHA loan?
What credit score do I need for an FHA loan?
FHA allows 3.5% down with a 580 credit score, and 10% down with a score between 500 and 579. Individual lenders can set their own minimums, and I match your file to a lender who reads your credit fairly.
03 How much is the down payment on an FHA loan?
How much is the down payment on an FHA loan?
The minimum is 3.5% of the purchase price. Down payment funds can come from gifts or down payment assistance programs, which makes FHA one of the most accessible paths to homeownership.
04 Can I use an FHA loan for an investment property?
Can I use an FHA loan for an investment property?
No. FHA loans are for primary residences only. For rentals and investment properties, DSCR and other investor programs are usually a better fit.
05 Does an FHA loan require mortgage insurance?
Does an FHA loan require mortgage insurance?
Yes. FHA charges an upfront mortgage insurance premium of 1.75% of the loan amount, plus an annual premium paid monthly. It is built into the numbers I show you, so there are no surprises at closing.
Let's check your numbers.
First home, next home, or refinance. Book a call and we will run your real numbers for an FHA loan.
Loan limits, credit requirements, and program guidelines are set by the agencies and by each lender, and they change every year. The numbers on this page are the 2026 figures as published. Jeff verifies the current limits and requirements against your exact situation before you build a plan.