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If you’re looking to buy a home priced north of $700,000, there’s a good chance you’ll be seeking to qualify for a jumbo loan. That type of mortgage is designed to serve the market for higher-value properties.
Jumbo loans are unique in some important ways, including how you qualify. Here’s what you need to know about jumbo mortgages in 2024.
Read more: How to buy a house in 2024
What is a jumbo loan?
The type of mortgage loan for properties priced above the single-family “conforming loan” limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency is known as a jumbo loan.
Typically, conforming mortgage loans are capped at $766,550 in most areas of the United States, but that can go up to $1,149,825 in counties within Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Tip: Use this tool to check the conforming loan limits in the area where you’re looking to buy. Remember, if the home’s purchase price is greater than the conforming loan limit, you’ll need a jumbo loan.
Read more: How much house can I afford?
How a jumbo loan works
While not all lenders offer jumbo loans, you will still have many mortgage lenders to choose from.
Jumbo loans are issued by lenders willing to take on the risk of larger mortgages that cannot be sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. When a lender sells a conforming loan to Fannie or Freddie, it frees up capital to lend more. Since lenders often hold jumbo, or “non-conforming,” loans on their own books, they decide, not the FHFA, what it takes for a borrower to qualify and the maximum amount they are willing to lend on a single property.
Most jumbo loan lenders will finance homes up to $2 to $3 million.
Learn more: What is a conventional loan?
How to qualify for a jumbo loan
Specific loan requirements vary by lender, but generally, jumbo loans require a borrower to:
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Have cash reserves often equal to or greater than six to 12 months of mortgage payments and expenses.
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Show a history of excellent credit and proof of sufficient income.
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Have a debt-to-income ratio of 45% or less.
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Pay higher closing costs.
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Provide a down payment of at least 10%. Some lenders look for 20% down or more.
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Have a FICO credit score of 700 or higher.
Tip: There is one government agency that backs jumbo loans: the Department of Veteran Affairs. VA loans are available to military service members, veterans, and eligible survivors and usually require no down payment. Credit score requirements can be as low as 620, as well.
Read more: Truist mortgage review
Pros and cons of jumbo loans
Pros
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Allows you to purchase a high-cost home.
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Potentially lower interest rates than conforming loans.
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You have the option to get an adjustable-rate mortgage.
Read more: New American Funding mortgage review
Cons
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Stricter qualifying standards.
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Often requires higher cash reserves than a typical mortgage.
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Lenders usually prefer down payments of 10% or more.
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You’re likely to pay higher closing costs.
Jumbo loan FAQs
What does a jumbo loan mean?
The term “jumbo loan” refers to a mortgage for an amount exceeding the FHFA-approved limits for a conforming loan (which is what you might think of as a “regular mortgage”). Basically, it means you’re borrowing more than you could with a typical mortgage.
Is $600,000 a jumbo loan?
No, a mortgage for $600,000 is not large enough to be considered a jumbo loan.
What are the drawbacks of a jumbo loan?
The main downsides of a jumbo loan are the stricter requirements — you’ll probably need a higher credit score and larger down payment than you would with a typical mortgage. You should also be prepared for the amount of interest that will accumulate on a large loan amount over the years.
Are jumbo loans harder to qualify for?
Yes, it’s usually harder to qualify for a jumbo loan than for other types of mortgages. You’ll probably need a great or excellent credit score and a minimum 10% down payment.