Loading
Loading
in Atherton, CA
Atherton's median home price consistently exceeds $7 million, pushing most buyers into jumbo territory. The conforming loan limit for 2026 is $832,750 in San Mateo County — well below what you need for properties here.
Chicago Fed forecasts signal potential rate cuts later this year, but as of February 2026, rates hover near four-year lows around 6%. Your loan choice affects both your rate and how much cash you need at closing.
Conventional loans follow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines. You can put down as little as 3% with strong credit, though most borrowers choose 20% to avoid PMI.
These loans cap at $832,750 in San Mateo County for single-family homes. Rates run lower than jumbo because lenders can sell the loan to the GSEs, reducing their risk.
Jumbo loans exceed conforming limits and aren't backed by Fannie or Freddie. In Atherton, they're the default option — you need them to finance properties above $832,750.
Lenders keep these loans on their books, so they price for risk. Expect 10-20% down minimum and higher credit requirements. The upside: no loan ceiling, so you can finance properties at any price.
Local decision guide
Use this comparison to weigh Conventional Loans and Jumbo Loans through local payment fit, eligibility, documentation, and timing before choosing a path in Atherton.
Atherton's median home price consistently exceeds $7 million, pushing most buyers into jumbo territory. The conforming loan limit for 2026 is $832,750 in San Mateo County — well below what you need for properties here.
Chicago Fed forecasts signal potential rate cuts later this year, but as of February 2026, rates hover near four-year lows around 6%. Your loan choice affects both your rate and how much cash you need at closing.
Conventional loans follow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines. You can put down as little as 3% with strong credit, though most borrowers choose 20% to avoid PMI.
The main split is loan size. Conventional stops at $832,750; jumbo starts there. In Atherton, that means conventional only works for condos or teardowns.
Jumbo loans demand more reserves — often 12 months of payments in the bank after closing. Conventional requires less liquidity. Jumbo rates used to run higher, but the gap has narrowed to 0.25-0.50% in recent months.
If you're buying under $832,750, conventional wins on flexibility and down payment options. But in Atherton, that scenario is rare — most single-family homes exceed that by multiples.
For typical Atherton buyers, jumbo is the only path. The decision then becomes fixed vs ARM structure and which lender offers the best rate for your profile. We shop 200+ wholesale lenders to find jumbo terms that beat retail banks.
There's no upper limit. Jumbo starts at $806,501 and goes as high as lenders will approve based on your income and assets.
Only for properties priced under $832,750, which limits you to condos or teardowns. Most homes here require jumbo financing.
The gap has narrowed to 0.25-0.50% as of February 2026. Strong borrower profiles sometimes see jumbo rates match conventional.
Most lenders require 10-20% minimum. Putting down 20% avoids PMI and gets you better pricing regardless of loan type.
Expect 700+ for approval, with 740+ unlocking the best rates. Conventional loans start at 620 but tier pricing heavily favors higher scores.