Loan Types & Strategies
Thinking about a higher-priced home in Central Florida? Jumbo mortgages are designed for buyers whose loan amount is above the standard conforming limits. This page gives you the simple version of how they work, what to expect, and how we can structure a plan that fits your income, reserves, and long-term goals.
A jumbo loan is any mortgage where the loan amount is above the conforming limit set for that county. Instead of being sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, these loans are usually held or securitized by banks and investors with their own rules and overlays.
Exact guidelines can vary by investor and change over time. Use this as a starting point, and then we can look at your income, credit, and savings together.
With any larger mortgage, we want to make sure the payment still leaves room for:
Use the Rent vs Buy and DTI Checker calculators on this site to see where a jumbo payment fits before you start shopping.
Conforming loans fit within the standard county limits and are backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. They often allow smaller down payments and have more flexible reserve requirements than jumbo.
Good choice if your price range can be structured so the loan amount stays within the conforming limit.
FHA loans are designed for buyers who need more flexible credit or higher debt-to-income (DTI) ratios. Loan amounts are capped by county, so FHA usually won't cover the higher jumbo price points.
Often better for smaller down payments and buyers rebuilding credit rather than true jumbo price ranges.
VA loans can sometimes go into higher price ranges with no or low down payment for eligible Veterans and active-duty borrowers, depending on entitlement and lender policies.
If you have VA eligibility, we should look at VA vs jumbo side-by-side to see which structure saves more over time.
USDA loans are focused on moderate income and specific rural/suburban areas with strict income and price limits. They do not apply to jumbo-sized homes, but they can be an alternative if you are open to different locations and price ranges.
Use the calculators on this site to get a feel for your numbers:
We’ll look at price ranges, down payment options, reserves, and the best loan structure for your situation.
We can also see if a combination of conforming + second mortgage, or VA (if eligible), makes more sense than a single jumbo loan.
Once we nail down a comfortable budget, we’ll pair your pre-approval with an MLS search, so you can shop with confidence and strong financing terms.
Every jumbo loan is slightly different because every buyer is different. Income mix, bonus structure, self-employment, stock compensation, and reserves all matter.
I work as both a Realtor® in Central Florida and a Mortgage Loan Originator, so we can line up your jumbo financing with the neighborhoods, taxes, and HOAs you are considering.