A jumbo loan is a home mortgage loan that exceeds maximum dollar limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). Loans that fall within the limit are called conforming loans. Loans that exceed them are jumbo loans.
Jumbo mortgages may be needed by buyers in areas where housing is expensive, and they’re also popular among lovers of high-end homes, investors, and vacation home seekers.
What Is a Jumbo Loan?
To understand jumbo home loans, it first helps to understand the function of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Neither government-sponsored enterprise actually creates mortgages; they purchase them from lenders and repackage them into mortgage-backed securities for investors, giving lenders needed liquidity.
Each year the FHFA sets a maximum value for loans that Freddie and Fannie will buy from lenders — the so-called conforming loans.
Jumbo Loans vs Conforming Loans
Because jumbo home loans don’t meet Freddie and Fannie’s criteria for acquisition, they are referred to as nonconforming loans. Nonconforming, or jumbo, loans usually have stricter requirements because they carry a higher risk for the lender.
Jumbo Loan Limits
So how large does a loan have to be to be considered jumbo? In most counties, the conforming loan limits for 2023 are:
• $726,200 for a single-family home
• $929,850 for a two-unit property
• $1,123,900 for a three-unit property
• $1,396,800 for a four-unit property
The limit is higher in pricey areas. For 2023, the conforming loan limits in those areas are:
• $1,089,300 for one unit
• $1,394,775 for two units
• $1,685,850 for three units
• $2,095,200 for four units
Given rising home values in many cities, a jumbo loan may be necessary to buy a home. Teton County, Wyoming, for instance, has an average home value of $1,624,087 and a conforming loan limit of $1,089,300.
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Qualifying for a Jumbo Loan
Approval for a jumbo mortgage loan depends on factors such as your income, debt, savings, credit history, employment status, and the property you intend to buy. The standards can be tougher for jumbo loans than conforming loans.
The lender may be underwriting the loan manually, meaning it’s likely to require much more detailed financial documentation — especially since standards grew more stringent after the 2007 housing market implosion and during the pandemic.
Lenders generally set their own terms for a jumbo mortgage, and the landscape for loan requirements is always changing, but here are a few examples of potential heightened requirements for jumbo loans.
• Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. This ratio compares your total monthly debt payments and your gross monthly income. The figure helps lenders understand how much disposable income you have and whether they can feel confident you’ll be able to afford adding a new loan to the mix.
To qualify for most mortgages, you need a DTI ratio no higher than 43%. In certain loan scenarios, lenders sometimes want to see an even lower DTI ratio for a jumbo loan, or they may counter with less favorable loan terms for a higher DTI.
• Your credit score. This number, which ranges from 300 to 850, helps lenders get a snapshot of your credit history. The score is based on your payment history, the percentage of available credit you’re using, how often you open and close accounts such as credit cards, and the average age of your accounts.
To qualify for a jumbo loan, some lenders require a minimum score of 700 to 740 for a primary home, or up to 760 for other property types. Keep in mind that a lower score doesn’t mean you won’t be able to get a jumbo loan. The decision depends on the lender and other factors, such as the loan program requirements, your debt, down payment amount, and reserves.
• Down payment. Conforming mortgages generally require a 20% down payment if you want to avoid paying private mortgage insurance (PMI), which helps protect the lender from the risk of default.
Historically, some lenders required even higher down payments for jumbo mortgages, but that’s not necessarily the case anymore. Typically, you’ll need to put at least 20% down, although there are exceptions.
A VA loan can be used for jumbo loans. The Department of Veterans Affairs will insure the part of the loan that falls under conforming loan limits. The down payment requirement is based on the portion of the jumbo loan that’s above the conforming loan limit. The loan is available from some lenders with nothing down and no PMI. VA loans have a one-time “funding fee,” though, a percentage of the amount being borrowed.
• Your savings. Jumbo loan programs often require mortgage reserves, housing costs borrowers can cover with their savings. The number of months of PITI house payments (principal, interest, taxes, insurance), plus any PMI or homeowner association fees, needed in reserves after loan closing depends on many factors. For a jumbo loan, some lenders may require reserves of three to 24 months of housing payments.
You don’t necessarily need to have all the money in cash. Part of mortgage reserves can take the form of a 401(k), stock portfolios, mutual funds, money market accounts, and simplified employee pension accounts.
Also, depending on the loan program, a lender may be comfortable with lower cash reserves if you have a high credit score, low DTI ratio, a high down payment, or some combination of these things.
• Documentation. Lenders want a complete financial picture for any potential borrower, and jumbo loan seekers are no exception. Most lenders operate under the “ability to repay” rule, which means they must make a reasonable, good-faith determination of the consumer’s ability to repay the loan according to their terms. Applicants should expect lenders to vet their creditworthiness, income, and assets.
First-time homebuyers can
prequalify for a SoFi mortgage loan,
with as little as 3% down.
Jumbo Loan Rates
You might assume that interest rates for jumbo loans are higher than for conforming loans since the lender is putting more money on the line.
But jumbo mortgage rates fluctuate with market conditions. Jumbo mortgage rates can be similar to those of other mortgages, but sometimes they are lower.
Because the absolute dollar figure of the loan is higher than a conforming loan, it is reasonable to expect closing costs to be higher. Some closing costs are fixed, such as a loan processing fee, but others, such as title insurance, are tiered based on the purchase price or loan amount.
Pros and Cons of Jumbo Loans
Benefits
Because a jumbo loan is for an amount greater than a conforming loan, it gives you more options for ownership of homes that are otherwise cost-prohibitive. You can use a jumbo loan to purchase all kinds of residences, from your main home to a vacation getaway to an investment property.
Drawbacks
Due to their more stringent requirements, jumbo loans may be more accessible for borrowers with higher incomes, strong credit scores, modest DTI ratios, and plentiful reserves.
However, don’t assume that jumbo loans are just for the rich. Lenders offer these loans to borrowers with a wide variety of income levels and credit scores.
Lender requirements vary, so if you’re seeking a jumbo loan, you may want to shop around to see what terms and interest rates are available.
The most important factor, as with any loan, is that you are confident in your ability to make the mortgage payments in full and on time in the long term.
How to Qualify for a Jumbo Loan
To qualify for a jumbo loan, borrowers need to meet certain jumbo loan requirements. You’ll likely need to show a prospective lender two years of tax returns, pay stubs, and statements for bank and possibly investment accounts. The lender may require an appraisal of the property to ensure they are only lending what the home is worth.
Is a Jumbo Loan Right for You?
You’ll need to come up with a large down payment on a property that merits a jumbo loan, and some of your closing costs will be higher than for a conventional loan. But depending on where you wish to buy, the cost of the property, and the amount you wish to borrow, a jumbo loan may be your only choice for a home mortgage loan. It’s a particularly attractive option if you have good credit, a low DTI, and a robust savings account. And sometimes jumbo home loans actually have lower interest rates than other loans.
What About Refinancing a Jumbo Loan?
After you’ve gone through the mortgage and homebuying process, it could be helpful to have information about refinancing. Some borrowers choose to refinance in order to secure a lower interest rate or more preferable loan terms.
This could be worth considering if your personal situation or mortgage interest rates have improved.
Refinancing a jumbo mortgage to a lower rate could result in substantial savings. Since the initial sum is so large, even a change of just 1 percentage point could be impactful.
Refinancing could also result in improved loan terms. For example, if you have an adjustable-rate mortgage and worry about fluctuating rates, you could refinance the loan to a fixed-rate home loan.
Recommended: Guide to Buying, Selling, and Updating Your Home
Jumbo Loan Limits by State
The conforming loan limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency can vary based on the county where you are buying a home.
In most areas of the country, the conforming loan limit for a one-unit property increased to $726,200 in 2023 (the amount rises for multiunit properties). The chart below shows exceptions to the $726,200 limit by state and county.
| State | County | 2023 limit for a single unit |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | All | $1,089,300 |
| California | Los Angeles County, San Benito, Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Orange, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Cruz | $1,089,300 |
| California | Napa | $1,017,750 |
| California | Monterey | $915,400 |
| California | San Diego | $977,500 |
| California | Santa Barbara | $805,000 |
| California | San Luis Obisbo | $911,950 |
| California | Sonoma | $861,350 |
| California | Ventura | $948,750 |
| California | Yolo | $763,600 |
| Colorado | Eagle | $1,075,250 |
| Colorado | Garfield | $948,750 |
| Colorado | Pitkin | $948,750 |
| Colorado | San Miguel | $862,500 |
| Colorado | Boulder | $856,750 |
| Florida | Monroe | $874,000 |
| Guam | All | $1,089,300 |
| Hawaii | All | $1,089,300 |
| Idaho | Teton | $1,089,300 |
| Maryland | Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, Prince George’s County | $1,089,300 |
| Massachusetts | Dukes, Nantucket | $1,089,300 |
| Massachusetts | Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk | $828,000 |
| New Hampshire | Rockingham, Strafford | $828,000 |
| New Jersey | Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union | $1,089,300 |
| New York | Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Westchester | $1,089,300 |
| New York | Dutchess, Orange | $726,525 |
| Pennsylvania | Pike | $1,089,300 |
| Utah | Summit, Wasatch | $1,089,300 |
| Utah | Box Elder, Davis, Morgan, Weber | $744,050 |
| Virgin Islands | All | $1,089,300 |
| Virginia | Arlington, Clarke, Culpeper, Fairfax, Fauguier, Loudon, Madison, Prince William, Rappahannock, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Warren, Alexandria, Fairfax City, Falls Church City, Fredericksburg City, Manassas City, Manassas Park City | $1,089,300 |
| Washington | King, Pierce, Snohomish | $977,500 |
| Washington D.C. | District of Columbia | $1,089,300 |
| West Virginia | Jefferson County | $1,089,300 |
| Wyoming | Teton | $1,089,300 |
Source: Federal Housing Finance Agency
The Takeaway
What’s the skinny on jumbo loans? They’re essential for buyers of more costly properties because they exceed government limits for conforming loans. Luxury-home buyers and house hunters in expensive counties may turn to these loans, but they’ll have to clear the higher hurdles involved.
If you’re interested in refinancing a jumbo mortgage at competitive rates, consider SoFi. You can prequalify online and put as little as 10% down.
FAQ
What are jumbo loan requirements?
Jumbo loans typically require a credit score of at least 700, a low DTI, and a down payment of at least 20%, although there are always exceptions.
What is the difference between a jumbo loan and a regular loan?
A jumbo loan is a home mortgage loan that exceeds maximum dollar limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Jumbo loans are typically used by buyers in regions with higher-priced housing but are also popular among luxury homebuyers and investors.
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