jumbo loans

 A jumbo loan is a type of mortgage that exceeds the conforming loan limits for its area, set yearly by the Federal Housing and Finance Agency (FHFA). In most parts of the U.S. in 2025, it’s a mortgage of more than $806,500.

Many mortgage lenders offer jumbo loans of up to $3 million or $5 million. You can find jumbo loans in even higher amounts, especially if you work with a mortgage broker who specializes in them.

Jumbo loans can be used for primary residences, investment properties and vacation homes. While you might use one to buy a mansion, you may also need one to buy a regular home in a pricey neighborhood. 

 Despite their “nonconforming” status, jumbo loans aren’t much different from traditional mortgages. For example, borrowers can get fixed- or adjustable-rate jumbo mortgages with various term options.

However, the interest rates on jumbo loans are often higher than those for conforming loans, although the gap has closed recently. As of May 28, 2025, the 30-year fixed jumbo rate was 7.02 percent, according to Bankrate’s survey of national lenders, while it was 6.99 percent for the traditional 30-year fixed loan. This is partly because Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac increased the guarantee fees they charge to lenders on conforming loans.

 Because the loans aren’t backed by Fannie or Freddie, jumbo mortgages pose more risk to the lender — so jumbo lenders typically impose stricter underwriting guidelines than conforming mortgage lenders do. Overall, if you want to take out one of these hefty loans, you’ll need to make sure your financial profile is very good or excellent.

There are three common hurdles borrowers must clear to get approved for a jumbo loan:

• Income: Your debts usually need to be less than one third of your income.
• Credit score: The minimum credit score most likely to qualify for a jumbo loan is 700.
• Cash reserves: You must make a down payment of 10 percent to 20 percent for a jumbo loan.

Yes, it’ll help if you have a large income — and, just as importantly, if you have a low-debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, the percentage of your monthly income that goes to debt payments. If much of your income is eaten up by debt payments — say, more than one-third — you might not qualify for a jumbo loan unless your credit score is excellent or you have a sizable amount of reserves or liquid assets.

You’ll need a higher credit score to qualify for a jumbo versus a conforming loan. For example, U.S. Bank requires a minimum 740 credit score to be considered for most jumbo loans versus 620 for a conforming loan.

Keep in mind: Most jumbo loans are conventional loans, offered by private lenders as opposed to a government agency. One exception is the VA jumbo loan. Active military or veterans can qualify with a significantly lower credit score, sometimes in the mid-to-low 600s.

You may have to make a significant down payment to qualify for the jumbo loan — typically 10 percent to 20 percent. Be prepared to show enough reserves, or liquid assets, to cover between six and 12 months’ mortgage payments.

For example, if you’re taking out a $1 million jumbo loan, you’ll likely need $100,000 to $200,000 for a down payment. And assuming you’re borrowing at the current average rate, you should also have another $40,000 to $80,000 in reserve, on top of what you’ll need for closing costs. 

 Jumbos are meant for buyers with ample resources. A jumbo loan might be right for you if you: 

• Have a strong financial profile: Excellent credit, a low DTI ratio and at least six months of cash reserves.
• Want or need a high-priced property: If you live in some parts of the country, a jumbo loan is essential to buy even a modest home. 

That said, a jumbo loan is not for you if it means you’ll end up being house broke or house poor, meaning your homeownership costs squeeze out everything else in your budget.