Real financing for loan amounts above conforming limits.
Whether you're buying in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Sacramento luxury markets, North Jersey suburbs, or anywhere with a loan above the 2026 conforming limit of $806,500, a properly structured jumbo or high-balance loan can deliver competitive rates with less rigid documentation than most borrowers expect.
A jumbo loan is any mortgage exceeding the FHFA conforming loan limit for the county. In 2026, that's $806,500 in most counties and up to $1,209,750 in high-cost areas like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Orange County, and parts of New Jersey. Loans between baseline and high-cost limits are called high-balance conforming. Loans above high-cost limits are true jumbo.
Loan amounts above baseline ($806,500) but within county high-cost limits. Eligible for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, often pricing close to conforming. 5-10% down with PMI.
Loan amounts above county high-cost limits. Typically 10-20% down, 700+ credit score, full documentation. Competitive 30-year fixed and ARM options.
Higher loan amounts with as little as 10% down available for well-qualified borrowers up to $1.5M loan amount.
Self-employed jumbo using 12 or 24 months of bank statements. Up to $3M loan amount. No tax returns required.
Qualify based on liquid assets rather than employment income. Ideal for retirees and high-net-worth borrowers.
VA loans above county limits with no maximum loan amount for eligible borrowers. Partial down payment may apply on the amount exceeding the limit.
Single-family, 2-4 unit, and condo investment property jumbo financing with full-doc and DSCR options.
Most jumbo programs require 700 minimum. Best pricing at 740+. Non-QM jumbo down to 660.
10% minimum to $1.5M. 15-20% above. VA jumbo can be lower.
6-12 months of PITIA in liquid assets, often more for true jumbo.
Typically 43% maximum. Some programs flex to 50% with strong reserves.
Full doc: 2 years tax returns, 2 years W-2s, recent pay stubs, 2 months bank statements. Non-QM: bank statements or assets.
Common questions on jumbo loans, answered by Ken Clark Jr., Certified Mortgage Advisor.
Jumbo loans are any loan above the county conforming limit. In 2026, that's $806,500 in most California counties and up to $1,209,750 in high-cost counties like San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Marin, and Alameda. Sacramento County uses the $806,500 baseline.
Most jumbo programs require 10% down up to $1.5M loan amount and 15-20% down above that. Some programs allow 5% down for well-qualified borrowers. VA jumbo allows zero down up to county limits, with partial down payment on the portion exceeding.
Historically yes, but in 2026 jumbo rates often price within 0.125% to 0.5% of conforming rates because banks compete aggressively for high-balance relationships. Bank statement jumbo and asset-based jumbo price 0.5% to 1.5% higher.
Yes. Bank statement jumbo programs use 12 or 24 months of personal or business bank deposits as income. Asset-based jumbo qualifies you on liquid assets. Both allow self-employed borrowers to qualify without tax returns.
Most jumbo programs require 700 minimum. Non-QM jumbo programs go down to 660. Best pricing at 740+. Your loan officer can pre-qualify you across multiple jumbo investors to find the best fit.
Yes. Jumbo investment property loans are available for single-family, 2-4 unit, and condo properties. Both full-doc and DSCR (rental income only) programs are offered. Down payment requirements are typically 20-25%.
Source materials are publicly available agency and government resources. Program availability and guidelines may change. Always verify current guidelines with the agency or with Ken Clark Jr. before relying on them for a transaction.