In California, jumbo loans start above the county conforming limit. In most high-cost coastal counties (LA, OC, Santa Clara, Alameda, San Diego), that’s any loan above $1,209,750 in 2026. In San Francisco, Marin, and San Mateo counties — the highest-cost tier — jumbo starts above $1,249,125. Jumbo loans require 10–20% down, 700+ credit score, and 6–18 months of reserves. Rates are competitive — often within 0–0.25% of conforming for well-qualified borrowers.
What triggers jumbo in California?
The loan amount exceeds the county conforming limit. In most high-cost CA counties: above $1,209,750. In SF, Marin, and San Mateo counties: above $1,249,125. Note: loan amount, not purchase price. 20% down on a $1.5M home = $1.2M loan — conforming in most counties. 10% down on a $1.4M home = $1.26M loan — jumbo everywhere in California. Understanding the exact threshold for your county matters for down payment strategy. See our Jumbo Loans California hub.
Down payment and credit requirements
10% down available up to ~$1.5M (720+ credit). 20% standard for most programs. 700+ credit minimum; 720+ for best pricing. 740+ for super-jumbo. Manual underwriting means your full financial picture matters — assets, income stability, and overall profile, not just the score.
Reserve requirements
6–12 months for standard jumbo. 12–18 months for $2M+. 24 months for super-jumbo. Reserves = liquid assets after closing. 401(k)/IRA count at 60–70% of vested balance. This is often the sticking point for buyers who have income and down payment but not enough liquid reserves — plan ahead.
Are jumbo rates higher than conforming?
Not necessarily — jumbo rates are competitive and sometimes lower than conforming for A+ borrowers. Lenders compete hard for high-net-worth jumbo clients. The pricing advantage over conforming narrows as credit tightens or loan size increases into super-jumbo territory.
Jumbo vs. super-jumbo
Standard jumbo: $1,209,751–$2.5M in most high-cost CA counties; $1,249,126–$2.5M in SF/Marin/San Mateo. Super-jumbo: $2.5M–$20M+. Above $3M, you’re in private banking territory — lenders want full asset disclosure, may require banking relationships, and underwrite holistically. We have access to super-jumbo programs from $2.5M to $15M throughout California.
📞 Call: (800) 239-1103 | Cell: (310) 849-9124
Michael G. DiVita, Broker of Record | CA DRE #01372066 | NMLS #241655
DiVita Home Finance, Inc. | CA DRE #01818285 | NMLS #323700
