Looking for mortgage options in Denver? See our Denver, CO mortgage guide →
Denver sits in Denver County, with a median price around $575K. The right loan program depends on where you buy, how you'll use the home, and your down payment — this guide walks through the practical decisions every Denver buyer should make in 2026.
The Denver Market at a Glance
- Median home price: $575K
- County: Denver County
- Region: Front Range
- Most-used loan types: Conventional, FHA, VA, and Jumbo
Denver Neighborhoods Worth Knowing
LoDo / Downtown
High-rise condos and lofts — most financing is conventional or jumbo; condo project warrantability matters.
Highlands / Sloan's Lake
Bungalows and modern infill — strong appreciation, conventional and jumbo dominate.
Park Hill / Stapleton (Central Park)
Family-friendly with newer construction in Central Park — conventional and FHA both common.
Wash Park / Cherry Creek
Premium pricing pushes most buyers into jumbo or high-balance conforming loans.
Green Valley Ranch / Montbello
More accessible price points — FHA, VA, and CHFA down payment assistance are widely used.
Loan Programs That Work in Denver
Conventional, FHA, VA, and Jumbo are the workhorses of this market. Which is right for you comes down to credit, down payment, and how you'll use the property:
- Conventional (3–20% down) — most flexible, no upfront MI, PMI drops at 20% equity. Conventional loans.
- FHA (3.5% down) — flexible credit, lower rates, upfront and monthly MI. See FHA loans.
- VA (0% down) — for eligible veterans, no PMI ever. See VA loans.
- Jumbo — for loan amounts above the conforming limit. See jumbo loans.
- DSCR — investor financing based on rental income, not your W-2s. See DSCR loans.
How to Qualify in Denver
- Credit score: 620+ for most programs (580+ on FHA, 660+ on most DSCR)
- Debt-to-income: typically under 45% (higher on FHA/VA, ratio-based on DSCR)
- Down payment: 0–25% depending on program and occupancy
- Documented income (W-2s, tax returns) or bank-statement / DSCR alternatives
- Reserves: 0–6 months of payments depending on program
The Denver Local Edge
First-time buyers should explore CHFA, metroDPA, and the City of Denver's down payment assistance programs — they pair well with FHA and conventional financing.
Get Pre-Approved for Denver
For a real, fully underwritten pre-approval in Denver, contact Tayton Capital or visit our Denver mortgage page.
📧 tj@taytoncapitalllc.com
📞 970-708-9624
Get help with buyer guide
Talk to a licensed broker or explore the program that fits this article.
Related articles
First-Time Homebuyer Guide for Western Colorado in 2026
A complete guide for first-time buyers purchasing homes in Durango, Montrose, Grand Junction, Cortez, Glenwood Springs, and surrounding Western Slope communities. CHFA, FHA, VA, USDA explained. Tayton Capital, NMLS #2106875.
Read articleMoving to Montrose, CO in 2026 — A Mortgage and Real Estate Guide
Everything you need to know about buying a home in Montrose, Colorado — median prices, neighborhoods, loan types, and why the Western Slope's most affordable major market is attracting buyers from across Colorado.
Read article2026 First-Time Homebuyer Guide: Cortez & Montezuma County, Colorado
How to buy your first home in Cortez, CO — USDA 0% down, FHA, manufactured home financing, down payment assistance, and what to expect from the process in 2026.
Read article2026 First-Time Homebuyer Guide: Mancos, Colorado
Everything a first-time buyer needs to know about buying a home in Mancos, CO — USDA 0% down, FHA, manufactured home financing, and what to expect from the process.
Read articleFirst-Time Homebuyer Guide: Gunnison & Crested Butte, Colorado 2026
Gunnison is the affordable gateway to Crested Butte — a working ranch and university town where first-time buyers can find homes under $500,000 with mountain access.
Read articleFirst-Time Homebuyer Guide: Woodland Park & Teller County, Colorado 2026
Woodland Park is Colorado Springs' mountain suburb — 8,500 feet elevation, Pikes Peak views, and home prices below the Denver metro. Here's the 2026 first-time buyer guide.
Read articleFirst-Time Homebuyer Guide: Spring Hill & Hernando County, Florida 2026
Spring Hill is one of Tampa Bay's most affordable suburbs — with Gulf access, Weeki Wachee Springs, and home prices under $330,000 for most entry-level buyers in Hernando County.
Read articleFirst-Time Homebuyer Guide: Homestead & South Miami-Dade, Florida 2026
Homestead and South Miami-Dade offer Miami-area access at a fraction of the price — with FHA loan limits that cover the market and agricultural character unlike anywhere else in Florida.
Read article