Jumbo Loans in Houston

In Harris County and most of the Houston area, any mortgage over $766,550 is considered a jumbo loan. This is the 2024 conforming loan limit set by FHFA. Some lenders offer jumbo loans up to $5 million or more for well-qualified borrowers with strong credit and significant assets.

Most lenders require a minimum credit score of 700 for jumbo loans, but you'll get the best rates with a score of 740 or higher. Some lenders may go as low as 680 with a larger down payment (20-25%) and strong compensating factors like high income and significant liquid reserves.

Down payment requirements vary by lender and loan amount. Typically, you'll need 10-20% down. For example: $800K-$1.5M loans may require 10-15% down, while loans over $2M typically require 20-25% down. Higher down payments often result in better interest rates.

Cash reserves are liquid assets (checking, savings, investments) that could cover your mortgage payments after closing. Jumbo lenders typically require 6-12 months of reserves to ensure you can handle the higher payment even if income is interrupted. The higher the loan amount, the more reserves required.

Yes! Jumbo loans are available for primary residences, second homes, and investment properties. However, rates are typically 0.25-0.75% higher for non-primary residences, and you may need a larger down payment (20-30%) and stronger credit profile (740+) for investment properties.