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Los Altos is one of the most expensive zip codes in Santa Clara County. Nearly every purchase here blows past conforming loan limits.
The 2026 conforming limit for Santa Clara County sits at $1,249,125. Anything above that requires a jumbo loan — and most Los Altos buyers are well above it.
$1,249,125
Conforming Limit (Santa Clara)
700 (720+ preferred)
Min Credit Score
12–24 months
Reserves Required
10–20%
Typical Down Payment
43%
Max DTI
Jumbo Loans in Los Altos
Jumbo lenders want strong borrowers. Expect a minimum 700 credit score, though 720+ gets you the best pricing.
Most lenders require 12-24 months of reserves — that means liquid assets 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 Los Altos.
Los Altos is one of the most expensive zip codes in Santa Clara County. Nearly every purchase here blows past conforming loan limits.
The 2026 conforming limit for Santa Clara County sits at $1,249,125. Anything above that requires a jumbo loan — and most Los Altos buyers are well above it.
Jumbo lenders want strong borrowers. Expect a minimum 700 credit score, though 720+ gets you the best pricing.
Jumbo loans aren't backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Every lender sets their own rules — and rates vary significantly between them.
That's where shopping matters. We work with 200+ wholesale lenders, including portfolio lenders who hold jumbo loans in-house and price them aggressively.
The biggest mistake I see jumbo buyers make is going straight to their bank. Bank jumbo rates are rarely the sharpest — they're pricing for convenience.
In Los Altos, many buyers have complex income: RSUs, K-1s, equity comp. Jumbo lenders handle this differently. Some are much better at it than others.
Some buyers split their loan into a conforming first and a second mortgage. That keeps part of the debt under agency limits. It works — but it's not always cheaper.
ARMs are also worth a serious look here. A 7/1 or 10/1 ARM on a jumbo can save real money, especially if you're not planning a 30-year hold.
Los Altos attracts tech executives, founders, and dual-income households with significant non-W2 income. Jumbo lenders in this market need to be sophisticated.
Appraisals on high-value Los Altos homes can also be tricky. Comps are thin in some neighborhoods. A lender experienced in Santa Clara County luxury pricing matters.
Most jumbo lenders require 10-20% down. Some portfolio lenders offer 10% down with strong credit and reserves.
Yes, but lender treatment varies. Some require a 2-year RSU history. Others need proof of continued vesting.
Jumbo loans are manually underwritten and typically take 30-45 days. Strong documentation speeds things up considerably.
If your holding period is under 10 years, a jumbo ARM often saves significant interest. Fixed is safer for long-term holds.
Yes — often by 0.25% to 0.50% or more. On a $2M loan that's thousands per year. Shopping lenders is essential.