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Irvine is one of the most expensive housing markets in Orange County. Most move-up buyers here need financing well above the conforming loan limit.
The conforming limit caps what Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will back. Anything above that threshold requires a jumbo loan — and different underwriting rules.
700+ (most lenders)
Min Credit Score
Conforming Limit
Starts Above
12 months typical
Reserves Required
10–20%
Min Down Payment
Up to $3M+
Max Loan (varies)
Jumbo Loans in Irvine
Most jumbo lenders want a 700+ credit score. Some go to 680, but you'll pay for it in rate. Below 700, your options shrink fast.
Expect lenders to require 12 months of reserves — liquid assets you can access after closing. Debt-to-income ratios are typically capped at 43%, sometimes lower.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect jumbo loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Irvine.
Irvine is one of the most expensive housing markets in Orange County. Most move-up buyers here need financing well above the conforming loan limit.
The conforming limit caps what Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will back. Anything above that threshold requires a jumbo loan — and different underwriting rules.
Most jumbo lenders want a 700+ credit score. Some go to 680, but you'll pay for it in rate. Below 700, your options shrink fast.
Jumbo loans aren't sold to Fannie or Freddie. Each lender sets its own rules. That means rates, overlays, and max loan amounts vary widely across lenders.
Big retail banks have jumbo products, but their overlays are often strict. Wholesale lenders we access sometimes offer better pricing with more flexible guidelines.
In Irvine, I see a lot of tech and finance borrowers with equity-heavy portfolios but irregular income. RSUs and bonuses are includable — but only if the lender knows how to underwrite them.
Self-employed buyers should expect full 1040 review for two years. Some lenders will use bank statements instead. Knowing which lender fits your income type saves weeks of wasted time.
If your loan amount falls near the conforming limit, a conforming loan almost always wins on rate. Jumbo pricing carries a premium, so it's worth structuring the deal to stay conforming when possible.
ARMs are worth a serious look on jumbo loans. A 7/1 or 10/1 ARM can cut your rate meaningfully versus a 30-year fixed — and many Irvine buyers don't hold the same mortgage for 30 years anyway.
Irvine's master-planned communities — Shady Canyon, Turtle Ridge, Orchard Hills — routinely see sales above $2M. Jumbo loans aren't the exception here; they're the norm.
HOA fees in many Irvine communities are substantial. Lenders count HOA payments in your DTI. High dues can push you out of ratio on an otherwise clean file — plan for that.
Most lenders require 700 or higher. Below that, options narrow and rates climb.
Many lenders go to $3M or beyond with the right profile. Loan size depends on income, reserves, and credit.
Typically 10–20% down. Some lenders offer 10% down with strong credit and reserves.
Yes, but the lender must know how to underwrite it. Not every lender handles RSUs the same way.
Depends on how long you plan to stay. A 10/1 ARM can offer meaningful savings if you move or refinance within a decade.
Typically 12 months of mortgage payments in liquid assets. Some lenders require more on larger loan amounts.