What is a jumbo loan and when do you need one?
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A jumbo loan is a mortgage for an amount that exceeds the limits set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored agencies that buy most U.S. home loans and package them for investors. If you’re buying a mansion — or just a regular home in a high-priced area like Silicon Valley — you might need a jumbo loan.
- Jumbo loans cover bigger mortgage amounts, typically for more expensive properties. The amount that constitutes a jumbo, or “non-conforming,” loan, varies by geographic location and lender.
- The interest rates on jumbo loans are different from those on conforming loans.
- Jumbo loans have stricter underwriting guidelines, such as higher credit and down payment requirements.
What is a jumbo loan?
As the name implies, a jumbo loan covers a larger-than-normal loan amount. Jumbo loans can be used for primary homes, investment properties and vacation homes.
The maximum size of a jumbo loan varies by mortgage lender and location. Qualifying guidelines can vary, too. Because the market for jumbo loans is smaller than the market for conforming loans, you might need to shop around a bit more to find a mortgage. The rates on jumbo loans often differ from conforming loan rates, too.
Aside from those distinctions, jumbo loans aren’t much different from traditional mortgages. The payment schedules and other details are generally the same. Borrowers can get fixed- or adjustable-rate jumbo mortgages with various term options.
Jumbo loans vs. conforming loans
You’ll have more buying power with a jumbo loan compared to a conforming loan, but you’ll pay more in interest since your balance is higher.
Jumbo loan limits
If you want to borrow more than the loan limit for your area, you’ll need a jumbo loan. For 2023, the limit for conforming loans in much of the country is $726,200. However, the loan limits are higher, $1,089,300, in more expensive areas. The limits for jumbo loans vary by geographic region.
Jumbo loan rates
The rates on jumbo mortgages fluctuate and can be higher or lower than the conforming mortgage rate.
Pros and cons of a jumbo loan
The main benefit for borrowers is that a jumbo mortgage allows you to borrow more than the limits imposed by Fannie and Freddie. For instance, if you’d like to borrow $2 million against a $2.5 million home, a jumbo loan makes it possible.
Some borrowers prefer to finance more of the home’s cost rather than tying up cash, making the jumbo mortgage a helpful financial tool and part of an overall investment strategy. You can still get a competitive interest rate and finance the home of your choice without being restricted by the dollar limit on conforming mortgages.
Pros
- Allows you to borrow more than a traditional mortgage loan
- Competitive interest rates
- Opportunity to buy a larger home
Cons
- Higher credit score required to qualify
- Larger annual income needed
- Must have cash reserves to cover 6 to 12 months of payments
How to qualify for a jumbo loan
Jumbo lenders typically impose stricter underwriting guidelines than those extending conforming mortgages. Because the loans aren’t backed by Fannie or Freddie, jumbo mortgages pose more risk to the lender. On the flip side, lenders have more to gain — the dollar value of the loan is higher, so the lender has an opportunity to sell additional services to these more affluent borrowers.
Jumbo loan requirements
There are three common hurdles borrowers must clear to get approved for a jumbo loan:
- Larger income requirements – You’ll typically need a low-debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, which is the percentage of your monthly income that goes to debt payments. If your income is on the lower end and you have a hefty sum of outstanding debts, you might not qualify for a jumbo loan unless your credit score is excellent or you have a sizable amount of reserves.
- Higher credit score – The jumbo loan credit score requirement is usually higher than what you’ll find with a conforming loan. “The average is around 740, although I have seen some as low as 660,” says Robert Cohan, president of Carlyle Financial based in San Francisco. “[But] if you’re high-leveraged and you have a low credit score, it’s going to be hard to get a jumbo loan.”
- Heftier reserves – The down payment on a jumbo loan is typically 10 percent to 20 percent (and sometimes more). “Anything lower than a 10 percent down payment and you’re probably going to pay for it in higher rates,” says Cohan. Be prepared to also show enough reserves, or liquid assets, to cover between six and 12 months’ worth of mortgage payments.
Is a jumbo loan right for me?
Research the conforming loan limits in your region. If the homes you’re interested in buying do not fall within conforming loan guidelines, a jumbo loan might be an appropriate alternative. However, a jumbo loan is not for you to stretch your financial limits to the brink. It’s meant for buyers with a substantial stable income and ample resources.
Jumbo loan limits by state
The table below provides state-by-state jumbo loan limits for 2023. In many states, the limits vary by region within each state.
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