Jumbo loans
A jumbo loan is a mortgage for more than the conforming loan limit in the county where the home is. Those loans cannot be bought by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, so lenders set their own rules.*
What counts as jumbo
For 2026, the Federal Housing Finance Agency set the baseline one-unit conforming loan limit at $832,750. In some higher-cost counties the limit is higher, up to $1,249,125. A loan over the limit for its county is a jumbo loan. Ask your lender for the limit in the county where you are buying.
What to expect
- Jumbo loans must meet the same federal ability-to-repay rules as other conventional loans, according to the CFPB.
- Because lenders keep these loans or sell them under their own rules, requirements such as down payment, credit score and cash reserves can differ more from lender to lender than on standard loans. Ask each lender what it requires.
- Appraisals and documentation are often more detailed on larger loans.
Questions to ask a lender
- What is the conforming limit in the county where I am buying?
- How much down payment and how many months of reserves do you require?
- What are the rate, points and closing costs on my Loan Estimate?
Sources
* General information only, not a loan offer, a commitment to lend or advice. Program rules, limits and fees are set by the agencies above and can change. Eligibility, rates and approval depend on credit, income, the property and the lender, and are not assured. Sinjo Thomas, NMLS #2680792, C2 Financial Corporation, NMLS #135622. See disclosures.
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