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. Jumbo loans are our specialty — from $1.25M condos in San Francisco to $8M estates in Marin County, we’ve closed hundreds of them. Call (800) 239-1103.
California is the jumbo loan capital of America. With median home prices in the Bay Area, Marin County, and coastal markets routinely exceeding $1.5M–$2M, jumbo loans in California are not the exception — they’re the rule. DiVita Home Finance has specialized in California jumbo mortgages since 2007, with access to 40+ wholesale lenders competing for your business.
What Is a Jumbo Loan in California in 2026?
A jumbo loan is any mortgage that exceeds the conforming loan limit for your county. In 2026:
| County Type | Conforming Limit | Jumbo Starts At |
|---|---|---|
| SF, Marin & San Mateo counties | $1,249,125 | $1,249,126+ |
| Other high-cost CA counties (LA, OC, Santa Clara, Alameda, CC) | $1,209,750 | $1,209,751+ |
| Baseline CA counties (Inland Empire, Sacramento, etc.) | $832,750 | $832,751+ |
Jumbo loans are not backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac — they’re portfolio products held by banks and private lenders. This means stricter qualification requirements but also more flexibility in some cases.
2026 California Jumbo Loan Requirements
| Requirement | Typical Range | Best Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Down Payment | 10%–20% | 10% available on loans to $2M |
| Credit Score | 700–720 minimum | 740+ for best rates |
| Debt-to-Income | 43%–45% maximum | Some lenders allow up to 49% |
| Reserves | 6–12 months PITI | More for larger loans |
| Employment | 2-year history | Self-employed: 2-year avg income |
| Appraisal | Typically 2 appraisals on $2M+ | Some lenders waive second |
Jumbo Loan Options in California
Conventional Jumbo
Standard underwriting, W-2 income, 700+ credit score. Best rates for well-documented borrowers. Available up to $5M+ with some lenders.
Bank Statement Jumbo (Self-Employed)
Qualify using 12–24 months of personal or business bank statements instead of tax returns. Ideal for self-employed buyers, business owners, and entrepreneurs whose taxable income doesn’t reflect cash flow. Available to $5M+.
Asset Depletion Jumbo
Retire early or live off investments? Asset depletion programs let you qualify by dividing your liquid assets (retirement accounts, brokerage accounts) over the loan term. No employment required.
DSCR Jumbo (Investors)
Debt Service Coverage Ratio loans qualify investment property buyers based on rental income vs. mortgage payment. No personal income documentation required. Available in high-cost CA markets.
Interest-Only Jumbo
Pay interest only for 5–10 years, reducing your monthly payment by 20%–30% during the IO period. Popular with high-earning professionals who prefer cash flow flexibility.
Jumbo Loan Rates in California 2026
Jumbo rates typically run slightly above conforming rates but the gap fluctuates:
- Loan amounts $1.25M–$2M: Often 0.125%–0.375% above high-balance conforming
- Loan amounts $2M–$3M: Typically 0.25%–0.50% above conforming
- Loan amounts above $3M: Priced individually by lender
Shopping 40+ lenders — as DiVita Home Finance does — can mean a 0.25%–0.50% rate difference. On a $2M loan, that’s $400–$800/month.
California Markets Where Jumbo Loans Are Most Common
- Marin County: Median prices $1.5M–$3M+ in Tiburon, Belvedere, Ross — nearly every purchase is jumbo
- San Francisco: Pacific Heights, Sea Cliff, Noe Valley — luxury condos and homes routinely at $2M–$5M+
- Silicon Valley: Palo Alto, Los Altos, Atherton — $3M–$10M+ range common
- Newport Beach / Laguna Beach: Coastal OC properties frequently $2M–$8M
- Napa / Sonoma Wine Country: Estate properties, vineyards, and luxury homes at $2M–$10M+
- Palm Desert / Rancho Mirage: Luxury desert properties increasingly in jumbo territory
Jumbo Loan FAQs — California
What credit score do I need for a jumbo loan in California?
Most California jumbo lenders require a minimum credit score of 700–720. For the best jumbo rates and programs — including 10% down options on loans up to $2M — a score of 740 or higher is ideal. DiVita Home Finance works with multiple lenders to find the best fit for your score.
Can I get a jumbo loan with 10% down in California?
Yes. Several lenders offer jumbo loans in California with 10% down on loan amounts up to $2M–$2.5M, provided you have a 720+ credit score and sufficient reserves. Above $2.5M, most lenders require 15%–20% down. Contact DiVita Home Finance to find the right 10% down jumbo program for your purchase price.
What is the jumbo loan limit in California in 2026?
Jumbo loans in California start above the county conforming loan limit. In San Francisco, Marin, and San Mateo counties — the highest-cost counties — the 2026 conforming limit is $1,249,125, so jumbo begins at $1,249,126. In other high-cost counties (Los Angeles, Orange, Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa), the conforming limit is $1,209,750, making jumbo start at $1,209,751. In baseline counties (Inland Empire, Sacramento, Central Valley), jumbo begins at $832,751.
Can self-employed borrowers get a jumbo loan in California?
Yes. Bank statement jumbo loans let self-employed California borrowers qualify using 12–24 months of bank deposits instead of tax returns. This is one of the most popular products DiVita Home Finance offers for entrepreneurs and business owners in high-cost California markets.
Are jumbo loan rates higher than conforming rates in California?
Jumbo rates in California are typically 0.125%–0.50% higher than conforming rates, depending on loan size and lender. The spread narrows for well-qualified borrowers. Shopping multiple lenders — as DiVita Home Finance does with 40+ wholesale sources — can eliminate most or all of this spread.
Get a Jumbo Loan Quote in California
DiVita Home Finance has closed hundreds of California jumbo loans — from $1.25M condos in San Francisco to $8M estates in Marin County. We access 40+ wholesale jumbo lenders to find the best rate and program for your situation.
Apply online today or call 800-239-1103 — jumbo loan specialists available seven days a week.
