The housing market in California has remained strong as we start 2025. The median home price according to Zillow for the state is currently $771,000. This represents a slight increase year over year.
California is home to the most expensive real estate in the country and has many higher-priced multimillion dollar properties that require Jumbo financing. Jumbo loans are defined as mortgages that exceed the standard conforming loan limits.
The 2025 conforming loan limits are currently set to $806,500 in most locations in California, except for some high-cost locations like San Francisco and Los Angeles where the limits can go up to $1,209,750 for a single (1) unit property. Muti-unit homes like duplexes, triplex, etc have even higher loan caps as seen in the chart below.
Base & High-Cost Conforming Loan Limits for 2025:
Conforming loan limits for major counties & cities in CA:
Los Angeles/ Orange: $1,209,750
San Francisco: $1,209,750
San Jose/Santa Clara County: $1,209,750
Riverside County: $1,209,750
San Diego: $1,077,550
Sacramento: $806,500
Jumbo loans typically require a larger down payment than conventional loans, as they pose more risk to the lenders and banks that originate them.
Lenders often have tighter requirements on jumbo loans because of the incurred risk of lending out more money on a single property and borrower. Additionally, Jumbo loans are typically harder for lenders to resell on the secondary markets, making them less attractive for many lenders.
While buyers can likely find mortgage lenders to offer a conventional mortgage with less than a 20% down payment, jumbo loans with less than 20% down are harder to find. However, that’s all starting to change thanks to recent guideline changes in the secondary markets.
A select few mortgage companies are now offering jumbo financing for qualified buyers up to 95 percent loan to value – only a 5% down payment. This low down payment option is especially good for buyers in higher costs, traditionally more expensive locations like San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, Sacramento, etc. The median home listing price often exceeds $1mil in these counties.
California Jumbo Loan Requirements:
California Jumbo Loan Requirements:- The max 95% Jumbo financing option only applies to owner-occupied single-family homes, townhomes and condos. Vacant land and lot loans are not permitted. Building on your own site is permitted through special Jumbo construction loans with 15% down.
- Applicants must be able to document all income and assets necessary for loan approval. Pay stubs, tax returns, etc. *Please note, business owners do have special reduced documention options available that use an average of actual bank deposits to formulate income. These programs are limited to 90% financing.
- Standard debt-to-income limits similar to conventional loans apply. The limit for total expense + housing is generally 45%
- A credit score of 680 or better is required to be approved for the 5% down jumbo option. Homebuyers with lower credit scores down to 660 have options with a greater 10%+ down payment
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Homebuyers must occupy the home within 30 days of the closing
- Buyers will need reserves for most programs. This is the amount of savings retained after the down payment and closing costs are made. Reserve standards can be satisfied by retirement/investment accounts – see below
California Jumbo Loan Amount Limits:
- 95% Jumbo – loan limit cap $2,000,000 – 3 months payment reserves required
- 90% Jumbo – loan limit cap $3,000,000 –6 months payment reserves required
- 85% Jumbo – loan limit cap $3,500,000 – 9-12 months payment reserves required
- 80% -70% Jumbo – super jumbo loan limits available up to $8mil.
Jumbo Loan Benefits:
- No private mortgage insurance PMI options – single loan and combo piggyback loan options
- 30-year fix rate, 15-year, or common adjustable-rate (ARM) options like 5/1, 7/1, etc
- No early payoff penalty
- 3/1 or 2/1 interest rate buy down options available
- Flexible jumbo refinance options available for both interest rate reductions and Jumbo cash-out refinance.
- Second home and vacation homes are permitted with a 10% minimum down payment
Serving home buyers across California: LA, Fresno, Sacramento, Oakland, Bakersfield, Anaheim, Riverside, Stockton, Irvine, Fremont
Homebuyers that have questions or want to learn more about the best jumbo loan options available can connect with us 7 days a week to get started. Just call or submit the Info Request Form on this page today.