Jumbo loans rarely offer a better deal than conforming loans. From mid-2020 through mid-2021, for instance, jumbo mortgage rates on average were 0.34 percentage point higher than conforming loans.
About jumbo loans
A jumbo loan will typically have a higher interest rate, stricter underwriting rules and require a larger down payment than a standard mortgage.
A 30-year fixed jumbo mortgage is a home loan that will be repaid over 30 years at a fixed interest rate. The amount of a jumbo mortgage will exceed the current Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac loan purchase limit of $417,000 for a single-family home, as of July 2010.
Because there's greater risk involved in lending large amounts of money, jumbo loans are often erroneously thought to carry higher interest rates than conforming loans. However, jumbo loan rates can vary dramatically, depending on your lender, finances and down payment.
Jumbo loans are now available from some mortgage lenders with as little as 5 or 10 percent down. Others may require 15 to 20 percent.
What is the Jumbo Loan Limit in 2022? In 2022, any loan exceeding $647,200 falls under the jumbo category. However, there are exceptions in certain counties within California. If you live in a high-cost county, the 2022 California conforming loan limits are higher.
The minimum credit score for a jumbo loan is typically at least 680, but some lenders may require an even higher one. The higher your credit score, the lower your interest rate is likely to be. More cash in the bank.
You'll usually need a credit score of at least: 700, to get a jumbo loan for a one- or two-unit property with a loan limit up to $1 million. 720, for loans between $1 million and $1.5 million. 740, for loans between $1.5 million and $2 million.
Jumbo loans offer the flexibility of either a 20% down payment or a lower down payment with private mortgage insurance (PMI). That can mean significant savings upfront with various options depending on your income, credit history, budget, and other qualifying factors.
The new ceiling loan limit for one-unit properties in most high-cost areas will be $765,600 — or 150 percent of $510,400. Special statutory provisions establish different loan limit calculations for Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Any loan that exceeds $970,800 is considered a jumbo loan. Individual counties such as Solano County and San Joaquin county have lower jumbo loan limits.
In 2021, the conforming loan limit is $548,250 in most counties in the U.S., and $822,375 in higher-cost areas. Any mortgage over these amounts is considered a jumbo loan.
As a general rule of thumb, you can expect to make a down payment of at least 10% on your jumbo loan. Some lenders may require a minimum down payment of 25%, or even 30%. While a 20% down payment is a good benchmark, it's always best to talk to your lender about all options.
Jumbo mortgages are large loans that fall above the federal loan limit. These loans are typically harder to qualify for than conforming loans, but they can offer competitive interest rates. They're also a convenient way for borrowers to secure the money they need to purchase expensive homes.
You'll need a good credit score
Before lending you hundreds of thousands of dollars, lenders want to know you're financially responsible. You'll need a higher credit score to qualify for a jumbo loan than you would for a conforming loan — probably at least 700. But the higher your score, the better rate you'll get.
For 2022, the Federal Housing Finance Agency raised the maximum conforming loan limit for a single-family property from $548,250 (in 2021) to $647,200. In certain high-cost areas, the ceiling for conforming mortgage limits is 150% of that limit, or $970,800 for 2022.
Since lenders will focus on your ability to cover mortgage payments, make sure you have enough funds for all the costs involved. That includes appraisals, inspections, taxes and your down payment. You will also need reserves of 6-12 months of mortgage payments.
When it comes to going through the mortgage process, getting an appraisal is a big deal. ... Because jumbo loans involve a larger transaction amount than traditional mortgages, the appraisal often undergoes special scrutiny. If your loan amount is high enough, it could even require two appraisals.
Who Buys Loans in the Secondary Market? Mortgage buyers on the secondary market fall into three main categories: Government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs): Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac purchase conventional loans on the secondary market.
One simple way to avoid using a jumbo mortgage is to make a bigger down payment. You only need to come up with enough money to keep the loan balance below your local conforming loan limit. With that approach, you have more options available, and you will pay less interest on a smaller loan balance.
Often, you will not have to pay PMI on Jumbo loans, as they usually require a higher down payment. PMI is designed for home buyers who make low down payments. However, since the down payment requirement will vary by lender, it is possible that your lender will require PMI in exchange for a lower down payment.
FHA loan limits are increasing in 2022. The new baseline limit – which applies to most single–family homes – will be $420,680. That's nearly a $65,000 increase over last year's FHA loan limit of $356,360. The Federal Housing Administration is raising its lending limits to keep pace with home price inflation.
In 2022, you can borrow up to $647,200 with a conforming loan in most parts of the US. In areas with a higher cost of living, you may be able to borrow up to $970,800. To borrow more than the FHFA allows for conforming loans in 2022, consider applying for a jumbo loan.
Share: The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) recently announced the 2022 conforming loan limits and, to no one's surprise, loan limits have increased significantly to $647,200 in most areas of the country. The 18% increase is the largest year-over-year jump in loan limits in recent history.