Whether your loan falls at or below the standard conforming limit — or above it in a designated high-cost area — we offer both standard conventional and high-balance (super-conforming) financing. Both are agency-eligible. Which one applies depends on your loan amount and property location.
Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac
Approved
Access to the
Entire Lending Market
Competitive
High-Balance Pricing
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Registered
Both programs are agency-eligible — the difference is where your loan amount falls relative to your county's conforming loan limit.
Standard agency financing for loan amounts at or below the conforming loan limit for your county. Not government-insured — these loans follow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines directly.
Down payments can be as low as 3–5% for qualified borrowers. PMI is typically required below 20% equity but can be removed once you've built sufficient equity. Well-suited for primary residences, second homes, and investment properties.
Agency financing for loan amounts above the standard conforming limit — up to the higher limit set for designated high-cost areas. Still fully Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac eligible. This is not the same as jumbo financing, which exceeds even the high-cost area limit and requires separate, non-agency underwriting.
Underwriting closely mirrors conventional financing, with guideline and pricing adjustments specific to the higher loan amount. Suitable for buyers in higher-cost markets who want to stay within agency guidelines.
A side-by-side comparison of the two agency-eligible programs. Which one fits depends almost entirely on your loan amount relative to your county's conforming loan limit.
| Feature | Conventional Loan | High-Balance Loan |
|---|---|---|
| Loan Amount Range | At or below the conforming loan limit for your county | Above the standard limit, up to the high-cost area limit for your county |
| Down Payment | As low as 3–5% for qualified borrowers | Similar minimums; requirements may be somewhat tighter at higher loan amounts |
| Mortgage Insurance | PMI typically required below 20% equity; removable once equity threshold is reached | Same PMI framework applies; can be removed when sufficient equity is established |
| Credit Flexibility | Generally favors stronger credit profiles; guidelines set by Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac | Agency guidelines with a modest pricing adjustment; credit standards can be somewhat tighter |
| Best For | Buyers in standard-cost areas whose loan fits within the local conforming limit | Buyers in high-cost areas who need more than the standard limit — without going jumbo |
Actual conforming loan limits vary by county and are updated periodically. This table reflects general program characteristics, not specific dollar thresholds. Contact a loan officer for current limits in your area.
The program isn't a borrower preference — it's determined by where your loan amount falls relative to your county's conforming loan limit.
Scenario
Your loan amount is at or below your county's conforming loan limit.
Standard agency financing applies. You're within the Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac conforming guidelines for your area.
Scenario
Your loan amount exceeds the standard limit, but you're in or buying near a high-cost area.
You may qualify for high-balance (super-conforming) financing — still agency-eligible, not the same as jumbo. A modest pricing adjustment applies.
Scenario
You're not sure what your county's conforming loan limit is.
We can determine your county's limit quickly and tell you exactly which program fits your loan amount and property location.
Contact a loan officer →From standard conventional financing to high-balance loans in high-cost markets, we match you to the right program with competitive pricing.
We're not limited to one bank's rate sheet. Access to the entire lending market means we can find competitive pricing on both standard and high-balance financing.
We match you to the correct program based on your loan amount and property location — so you're not defaulted into a higher-cost structure when you don't need to be.
Whether you need standard conventional or high-balance financing, we deliver competitive pricing on both — with transparent structuring and no unnecessary upsizing.
Three steps from inquiry to pre-approval — we do the heavy lifting on program determination.
Share your estimated loan amount and where the property is located — that's all we need to start.
We check your county's conforming loan limit and identify whether conventional or high-balance financing applies.
Once the right program is confirmed, we move you through pre-approval efficiently — with transparent terms and no surprises.
Whether you're entering the market for the first time or buying in a competitive high-cost market, there's a conventional program designed for your situation.
Low down payment options starting at 3–5%, with clear guidance on PMI and how to build toward removal.
Leveraging existing home equity, often with larger loan sizes that may cross the conforming limit threshold.
High-balance (super-conforming) financing keeps you within agency guidelines — no need for jumbo underwriting in designated high-cost counties.
We help you understand exactly where you stand relative to your county's limit — so your program is structured correctly from the start.
Both conventional and high-balance financing are available for second homes, with program selection driven by loan amount and property county.
Agency-eligible conventional financing for investment properties — with program structuring based on your loan amount and the property's county limit.
Comparing your options? Here's what sets these two loan programs apart — and how to choose the right one for your situation.
A conventional loan is at or below the standard conforming loan limit for your county. A high-balance (super-conforming) loan is above that standard limit but still agency-eligible — it stays within Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac guidelines, up to the higher limit set for designated high-cost areas. Both are conventional in nature; the distinction is purely based on where your loan amount falls.
No — and this is an important distinction. High-balance loans remain within Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac agency guidelines; they're not the same as jumbo. Jumbo loans exceed even the high-cost area limit, fall entirely outside agency guidelines, and require separate non-agency underwriting with different pricing and qualification criteria. If your loan fits within your county's high-balance limit, you're still in agency territory.
High-balance loan down payment requirements generally follow the same flexible framework as standard conventional financing. However, because you are borrowing a larger total amount, underwriting parameters regarding reserves and debt-to-income ratios can sometimes be tighter depending on your credit profile. A larger down payment may also improve your pricing or eliminate the need for private mortgage insurance (PMI). Unlike government-insured programs, PMI on a high-balance conventional loan can be removed once you reach sufficient equity.
Yes. Both conventional and high-balance financing can be used for primary residences, second homes, and investment properties, depending on the specific loan program and applicable guidelines. Property type and occupancy can affect qualification requirements and pricing — we'll walk you through the specifics based on your scenario.
High-balance loans can carry slightly higher interest rates and pricing adjustments compared to standard conforming loans, since lenders treat the larger loan amount as carrying more risk. That said, the difference is typically modest — and high-balance loans still qualify for the same conventional guidelines, meaning you avoid the steeper rate premiums and stricter underwriting that come with true jumbo financing. Your loan officer can run a side-by-side comparison based on your specific loan amount to show the actual cost difference.
Whether you need standard conventional financing or a high-balance loan for a higher-cost area, both programs offer flexible, agency-eligible terms. Loan limits and program guidelines are subject to change — consult a licensed mortgage professional for current county-specific limits and to determine which program fits your goals.
Check My Loan AmountFrom standard conventional purchases to high-balance financing in competitive markets — real outcomes, real borrowers.
"We were first-time buyers and had no idea what 'conforming loan limit' meant. They explained it clearly, confirmed our loan fit the conventional program, and walked us through PMI removal timelines. No pressure, just clarity."
George T.
Conventional Loan — Primary Residence
"We were buying in the Bay Area and everyone kept saying we'd need a jumbo loan. Turns out our county qualified for high-balance financing, which kept us in agency guidelines and came with better pricing than the jumbo quotes we'd received elsewhere."
Sarah R.
High-Balance Loan — High-Cost Market
"I was a move-up buyer and my new loan amount was right at the edge of the conforming limit. They confirmed exactly where I stood, set me up with a conventional loan — no unnecessary product upsizing — and closed on schedule."
James L.
Conventional Loan — Move-Up Purchase
Share a few details — your target loan amount and property location are all we need to determine whether conventional or high-balance (super-conforming) financing is the right structure for your purchase.
No commitment required — just a quick program check.
We respond within one business day.
Access to both conventional and high-balance programs from a single conversation.