Everything You Need to Know About Getting a Jumbo Loan in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is one of the most expensive housing markets in the country. With median home prices over $800000 in the city and $1 million in surrounding areas like Malibu and Beverly Hills many homebuyers need jumbo loans to finance L.A. real estate. If you’re looking to buy a high-end home in Los Angeles, here’s what you need to know about getting a jumbo mortgage.

What is a Jumbo Loan?

A jumbo loan is a home loan that exceeds the conforming loan limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency The conforming loan limit in most US. counties is $647,200 for 2022. However, in more expensive areas like Los Angeles and Orange County, the limit is higher at $970,800.

Any loan over those limits is considered a jumbo mortgage, These specialized loans are for buyers purchasing more expensive homes that require financing above the conventional conforming loan limits,

Jumbo Loan Limits in Los Angeles

The jumbo loan limit for Los Angeles County is $970,800 in 2022. That means any mortgage over $970,800 is a jumbo loan. The limit is higher in certain metro areas:

• Los Angeles-Long Beach metro area – $1,074,400
• Anaheim metro area – $970,800
• Santa Ana metro area – $970,800

So if you’re buying a luxury property, waterfront home, or multi-million dollar mansion in L.A., you’ll almost certainly need a jumbo mortgage.

Jumbo Loan Requirements

Qualifying for a jumbo loan is more difficult than qualifying for a conventional loan under the conforming limits. Here are some key jumbo loan requirements:

• Down payment – You’ll need a down payment of at least 10-20%. The larger the down payment, the better your chances of approval.

• Credit score – Most lenders require a minimum credit score of 700 for a jumbo loan. The higher your score, the lower your interest rate will be.

• Debt-to-income ratio – Your DTI should be 43% or lower. The lower your DTI, the more affordable the loan is for your income.

• Cash reserves – Expect to show significant assets and liquid reserves equal to 18+ months of mortgage payments.

• Income verification – You’ll need to thoroughly document your income with W-2s, tax returns, and pay stubs.

Benefits of a Jumbo Loan

Jumbo loans have some key perks:

• Lower rates – Jumbos may have lower rates than conforming loans. You can often get a huge mortgage for less.

• Non-conforming options – Jumbos allow more flexible terms like interest-only, no income verification, and unique properties.

• Wealth benefits – Jumbo borrowers may qualify for wealth management services and better rates with certain lenders.

• No mortgage insurance – Jumbos don’t require PMI if your down payment is over 20%.

Where to Get a Jumbo Loan in Los Angeles

The top jumbo lenders in Los Angeles include:

• National banks like Chase, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America
• Large mortgage lenders like Quicken Loans, loanDepot, and Better.com
• Local mortgage brokers and bankers specializing in luxury home loans

Mortgage brokers can help you shop multiple lenders to find the best jumbo loan rates and terms. It pays to shop around and get quotes from several lenders when seeking a jumbo mortgage.

Alternatives to a Jumbo Loan

If you don’t qualify for a jumbo, here are some options that may allow you to buy a high-priced home:

• Piggyback loan – This combines a conforming first mortgage with a second HELOC or home equity loan.

• All-cash offer – Consider liquidating investments to make an all-cash offer, then getting a loan later.

• Low down payment loan – An FHA loan requires just 3.5% down and has higher conforming limits.

• Buy with others – Co-purchase with another buyer and combine incomes/assets to qualify for a larger loan.

Tips for Getting Approved

Follow these tips to boost your chances of getting approved for a jumbo home loan in L.A.:

• Shop around with multiple lenders to compare rates and fees
• Ask what assets they require – the more cash reserves the better
• Pay down debts and maintain excellent credit history
• Consider using a mortgage broker to find you the best loan
• Be prepared to provide lots of financial documentation
• Make a large down payment if you can
• Know your DTI and aim for under 36%

With proper preparation andresearch, you can obtain financing to buy your dream home in Los Angeles and get the keys to an incredible jumbo property. Just be ready to meet the higher requirements these non-conforming luxury loans demand.