I’m Michael DiVita — DRE #01372066 | NMLS #241655, DiVita Home Finance (DRE #01818285 | NMLS #323700), Tiburon, CA. I’ve been in California mortgage lending since 2000 and founded DiVita Home Finance in 2007. Call (800) 239-1103.
If you’re buying a home in California’s most expensive markets, the 2026 high-balance conforming loan limit is one of the most important numbers you need to know. This limit — which varies by county and reaches up to $1,249,125 in California’s highest-cost areas — determines whether you can use conforming rates or must go jumbo.
2026 Conforming Loan Limits by California County
The FHFA sets each county’s limit based on local home price data. California counties fall into several tiers for 2026. For counties not listed or to verify your specific county’s limit, see the official FHFA table at fhfa.gov.
| County | 2026 Limit | Key Cities |
|---|---|---|
| Marin | $1,249,125 | Tiburon, San Rafael, Mill Valley, Sausalito |
| San Francisco | $1,249,125 | All SF neighborhoods |
| San Mateo | $1,249,125 | Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Burlingame |
| Alameda | $1,209,750 | Oakland, Fremont, Berkeley |
| Contra Costa | $1,209,750 | Walnut Creek, Concord, Danville |
| Los Angeles | $1,209,750 | LA, Pasadena, Long Beach, Malibu |
| Orange | $1,209,750 | Irvine, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach |
| Santa Clara | $1,209,750 | San Jose, Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Los Altos |
| Napa | $1,017,750 | Napa, St. Helena, Yountville |
| Sonoma | $977,500 | Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Healdsburg |
| Riverside / San Bernardino / Sacramento / Fresno / Stanislaus | $832,750 | Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Riverside, Sacramento |
Note: Limits for San Diego, Ventura, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz and other counties should be verified at fhfa.gov, as 2026 figures for these counties are subject to final FHFA certification.
What Is a High-Balance Conforming Loan?
A high-balance conforming loan — sometimes called a “conforming jumbo” or “super conforming” — is a mortgage that exceeds the national baseline ($832,750) but stays at or below your county’s high-cost limit. These loans are backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and offer significant advantages over true jumbo loans:
- Lower rates: Typically 0.10%–0.25% above standard conforming, but well below jumbo rates
- Lower down payment: As little as 5% down on primary residences
- Easier qualification: Standardized Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac underwriting guidelines
- Available for purchase, refinance, and cash-out
Bay Area High-Balance Conforming Loan Example (Marin County)
Consider a buyer purchasing a $1,200,000 home in Marin County (2026 limit: $1,249,125):
- Down payment (5%): $60,000
- Loan amount: $1,140,000
- Limit check: $1,140,000 < $1,249,125 ✓ = High-balance conforming
- Rate advantage vs. jumbo: Approximately 0.50%–0.75% lower
- Monthly savings vs. jumbo: ~$475–$715/month on $1,140,000
Los Angeles High-Balance Conforming Loan Example
A buyer in Pasadena purchasing at $1,100,000 (LA County 2026 limit: $1,209,750):
- Down payment (10%): $110,000
- Loan amount: $990,000
- Limit check: $990,000 < $1,209,750 ✓ = High-balance conforming
- Benefit: Qualifies for Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac pricing, not portfolio/jumbo rates
Work With a High-Balance Conforming Loan Expert
DiVita Home Finance has been helping Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Wine Country buyers navigate high-balance conforming loans since 2007. We know exactly how to structure loans in California’s highest-cost markets to maximize your rate and minimize your out-of-pocket costs.
Apply online today or call us to discuss your high-balance conforming loan options for 2026.
Related Resources
- 2026 Conforming Loan Limits California — Complete County Guide
- Why 2026 Conforming Loan Limits Increased
- 2026 Jumbo vs Conforming Loan: Which Saves More?
- Jumbo Loans California — When You Need to Go Above the Limit
- Marin County Mortgage Broker
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026 high-balance conforming loan limit in California?
It varies by county. California’s highest-cost counties — Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo — receive the maximum of $1,249,125. Counties like Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Orange, and Santa Clara receive $1,209,750. Napa is $1,017,750 and Sonoma is $977,500. Baseline counties (Riverside, Sacramento, etc.) receive $832,750. Verify your specific county’s limit at fhfa.gov.
Do all California counties get the $1,249,125 high-balance conforming limit?
No. Only California’s highest-cost counties receive the $1,249,125 maximum — specifically Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo in 2026. Many other high-cost counties such as Los Angeles, Alameda, Santa Clara, and Orange receive $1,209,750. Other counties fall at various levels between the $832,750 baseline and the $1,249,125 ceiling based on local home price data.
What is the minimum down payment for a high-balance conforming loan in California?
As little as 5% down on a primary residence. This is one of the biggest advantages of high-balance conforming loans over jumbo products — many jumbo programs require 20% or more. A buyer in Marin County purchasing a $1,200,000 home could put just $60,000 down and finance $1,140,000 at conforming rates rather than jumbo rates.
Talk to Michael Directly
DiVita Home Finance | Tiburon, CA | In lending since 2000, founded DiVita Home Finance in 2007. Michael DiVita DRE #01372066 | NMLS #241655. Company DRE #01818285 | NMLS #323700.
💬 Text: (310) 849-9124
