Self-Employed
Tax returns reflect deductions, not business cash flow. Bank statement programs can offer a more accurate path.
Jumbo & Super Jumbo LOANS
Jumbo and Super Jumbo Loans for High-Value Homes
Financing for loan amounts above Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac limits, underwritten by private lenders. Whether you're just over the conforming limit or financing a multi-million-dollar purchase, we'll find the right tier and compare non-agency pricing across lenders.
Licensed mortgage broker · Answer Home Loans, Inc. NMLS #1729528
2026 loan limit tiers
Conforming (most counties)
Up to $832,750
Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac baseline limit
High-balance (high-cost areas)
Up to $1,249,125
Varies by county
Jumbo & super jumbo
Above your county limit
Private, non-agency underwriting
One-unit limits set by FHFA for 2026. Super jumbo thresholds vary by lender.
- Non-Agency & Portfolio Lending
- Access to Multiple Lenders
- Competitive Jumbo Pricing
- Licensed Broker · NMLS #1729528
The challenge
When Conventional Lending Falls Short
Conforming loans are capped at $832,750 in most counties for 2026, and $1,249,125 in the highest-cost areas. Above that, high-value purchases and refinances need a different path.
Agency guidelines add more hurdles: tax returns that understate business income, debt-to-income rules that ignore substantial assets, and rental portfolios that inflate DTI without reflecting real cash flow.
Jumbo and non-QM jumbo programs bridge the gap, with qualification through bank statements, asset depletion, or other alternative documentation for loan amounts from $1M to $10M and beyond, subject to lender guidelines.
Asset-Rich Borrowers
Substantial liquid assets can create qualifying income through asset depletion, with no employment required.
Real Estate Investors
Rental properties inflate DTI under conventional rules. Non-QM programs may treat rental income more favorably.
Foreign Nationals
Select jumbo programs are available to qualified foreign nationals, with additional documentation.
Programs
Two Tiers of Financing Beyond Agency Limits
Jumbo Loans
A jumbo loan is a mortgage above the conforming limit set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, including the higher limit in high-cost areas. Because these loans can't be sold to the agencies, private lenders underwrite them with their own guidelines.
Jumbo financing fits buyers whose loan amount is above the conforming or high-cost limit but below multi-million-dollar super jumbo territory.
- Strong credit profile
- Meaningful down payment
- Adequate cash reserves
Super Jumbo Loans
Super jumbo financing is a higher tier of non-agency lending for loan amounts well above standard jumbo, often in the multi-million-dollar range. Underwriting is more rigorous and frequently manual.
Built for high-net-worth borrowers buying luxury properties, with more customized structuring.
- Interest-only options
- Asset-based qualification
- Loans often held in the lender's portfolio
Side by side
Jumbo vs. Super Jumbo Loans: How They're Different
| Comparison factor | Jumbo loan | Super jumbo loan |
|---|---|---|
| Loan amount | Jumbo loanAbove the conforming or high-cost limit; the first tier of non-agency financing | Super jumbo loanSignificantly higher amounts, commonly multi-million-dollar purchases |
| Down payment | Jumbo loanLarger than conventional; depends on loan size and credit profile | Super jumbo loanGenerally larger than standard jumbo; varies by lender and structure |
| Reserves | Jumbo loanOften 6–12 months of payments in verified liquid assets | Super jumbo loanFrequently 12+ months; larger reserve pools are common |
| Credit | Jumbo loanStrong credit required; many programs look for 700+ | Super jumbo loanHigher thresholds typical, with some case-by-case flexibility |
| Underwriting | Jumbo loanPrivate, non-agency underwriting under established lender guidelines | Super jumbo loanFrequently manual and relationship-based, with customized structuring |
| Best for | Jumbo loanBuyers whose loan exceeds agency limits but isn't in the multi-million range | Super jumbo loanHigh-net-worth buyers financing luxury or high-value properties |
Requirements vary by lender, loan amount, and property type. This is a general comparison only.
Who we serve
Built for High-Value Financing Needs
Jumbo lending isn't a niche, it's a full market. We work with high-value borrowers across property types and financial profiles.
Luxury Home Buyers
Financing for high-value primary residences well above agency limits, where private lender relationships are the norm.
Move-Up Buyers in High-Cost Markets
Buyers upgrading in metro markets where even median prices push into jumbo territory.
Second & Vacation Home Buyers
Jumbo programs extend to second homes, though reserve and down payment requirements typically increase.
Real Estate Investors
Non-agency underwriting can finance investment properties at jumbo loan amounts.
Self-Employed & High-Net-Worth
Private underwriting handles complex income and asset structures that automated agency systems can't.
Buyers Near the Jumbo Threshold
If you're just above the conforming or high-cost limit, know your options and pricing before you make an offer.
Why work with us
Why Borrowers Choose Us
Non-agency lending is a relationship business. Access to the right programs makes a real difference at the jumbo level.
Access to Many Lenders
We aren't limited to one bank's rate sheet, so your loan is matched to the program that actually fits.
Matched to the Right Tier
We assess your loan amount and profile up front, so you're never chasing the wrong program.
Competitive Pricing on Both Tiers
Pricing adjusts at higher loan amounts, but comparing lenders helps ensure you're not overpaying.
Process
A Simple Path to Your Loan
Three steps from first conversation to pre-approval, structured around your loan amount.
- 1
Share Your Loan Amount & Property
Tell us your target loan amount, property type, and a basic financial overview.
- 2
We Identify the Right Program
We compare your loan amount to current limits, review your profile, and determine whether jumbo or super jumbo applies.
- 3
Get Pre-Approved & Move Forward
Once the program is set, we move quickly to pre-approval so you can make a confident offer.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Jumbo and Super Jumbo Loans
Financing beyond conventional limits for high-value homes and larger loan amounts.
What is a jumbo loan, and how is it different from a conventional mortgage?
A jumbo loan is a mortgage above the conforming loan limit set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, including the higher limit in high-cost areas. For 2026, the baseline limit for a one-unit home is $832,750 in most counties and up to $1,249,125 in the highest-cost areas. Jumbo loans can't be sold to the agencies, so private lenders underwrite them with their own guidelines, which usually means stricter credit, larger down payments, and more documentation.
What credit score and down payment do I need for a jumbo loan?
Requirements vary by lender, but many jumbo programs look for a credit score of 700 or higher, with the best pricing reserved for higher scores. Down payments are typically larger than for conventional loans and depend on loan amount, credit, and property type. Lenders also commonly require cash reserves, often six to twelve months of mortgage payments.
When does a loan become "super jumbo"?
There's no universal threshold, but super jumbo financing generally applies to loan amounts well above standard jumbo, often starting somewhere in the $2–3 million range depending on the lender. Super jumbo loans involve more rigorous, often manual underwriting, larger reserves, and more customized structuring.
Why do jumbo loans have stricter requirements than conventional loans?
Because jumbo loans aren't purchased by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, the lender often keeps the risk itself. Without agency backing, lenders compensate with stronger credit, down payment, and reserve requirements to make sure borrowers can comfortably handle a larger payment.
Can I get a jumbo loan for an investment property or second home?
Yes. Jumbo and super jumbo financing can be used for primary residences, second homes, and investment properties. Requirements typically tighten for non-owner-occupied properties, often with a larger down payment and more reserves, and they vary from lender to lender.
Can I qualify for a jumbo loan if I'm self-employed?
Yes. Along with full-documentation jumbo loans, non-QM jumbo programs can qualify self-employed borrowers using bank statements, a CPA-prepared profit and loss statement, or asset depletion instead of tax returns. Pricing and requirements vary by program and lender.
Jumbo and super jumbo loans fall outside agency guidelines, so underwriting, reserves, and terms vary significantly by lender. Talk with a licensed mortgage broker to confirm the right tier for your purchase.
Check My Loan AmountExample scenarios
Jumbo Loan Scenarios Borrowers Can Identify With
Just Over the County Limit
Illustrative example, not an actual client.
A couple's loan amount landed slightly above their county's conforming limit. Confirming early that jumbo financing applied, and reviewing reserve and documentation requirements up front, helps avoid surprises in underwriting.
Timelines, rates, and terms vary by lender and borrower profile.
Multi-Million-Dollar Purchase
Illustrative example, not an actual client.
A buyer purchasing a multi-million-dollar home needed super jumbo financing. Knowing in advance that manual underwriting and extensive asset documentation were involved made the process far more predictable.
Timelines, rates, and terms vary by lender and borrower profile.
Business Owner With Complex Income
Illustrative example, not an actual client.
A self-employed borrower's file didn't fit automated underwriting at two banks. A privately underwritten jumbo program, or a non-QM jumbo using bank statements, could evaluate the income more accurately.
Timelines, rates, and terms vary by lender and borrower profile.
Get started
Confirm Your Program and Start Your Jumbo Pre-Approval
Whether your loan amount lands in jumbo or super jumbo territory, or you're not sure yet, we'll confirm which program applies and what qualifying looks like for your situation.
- Jumbo vs. super jumbo loan amount review
- Access to multiple non-agency lenders
- Competitive pricing on both tiers
- No commitment for the first conversation
Answer Home Loans, Inc. · NMLS #1729528 · DRE #02058505