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in Healdsburg, CA
Healdsburg sits in the heart of Sonoma wine country, where home prices regularly exceed conventional loan limits. Most buyers here need to choose between maxing out a conventional loan or stepping into jumbo financing.
The conforming loan limit for Sonoma County changes annually — currently $766,550 for a single-family home. Anything above that requires a jumbo loan with different qualification standards.
Conventional loans follow guidelines set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. They cap at $766,550 in Sonoma County, which covers some condos and smaller homes in Healdsburg but not most single-family properties.
You can put down as little as 3% with strong credit. Rates tend to be lower than jumbo options because the loans are easier to sell on the secondary market. PMI drops off at 20% equity.
Jumbo loans finance anything over the conforming limit — critical for most Healdsburg real estate. Lenders keep these loans on their books instead of selling them, so underwriting is stricter.
Expect to put down 10-20% minimum. Most lenders want 700+ credit and 12 months of reserves for principal, interest, taxes, and insurance. Rates run 0.25-0.75% higher than conventional depending on loan size and profile.
The main split is loan size. Conventional caps at $766,550 in Sonoma County. Jumbo starts there and goes as high as lenders allow — we've closed $5 million loans for vineyard estates.
Jumbo requires stronger financials across the board. You need better credit, more reserves, lower debt ratios, and more verified income. Conventional allows 3% down with PMI; jumbo typically won't budge below 10%.
Rates favor conventional for most profiles. Jumbo lenders price for portfolio risk, which adds cost. But if your credit is 760+ with 25% down, the rate gap narrows to almost nothing.
If the home you want costs under $766,550, conventional wins on rates and flexibility. You can put less down and qualify with lower reserves. It's the default choice when the property fits the limit.
Above that threshold, jumbo is your only path. The stricter requirements exist for a reason — lenders hold the risk. Come prepared with strong credit, solid reserves, and clean income docs. We shop 200+ lenders to find the best jumbo terms for your profile.
Yes, $750,000 falls under the $766,550 Sonoma County conforming limit. You can use conventional financing with as little as 3% down if your credit qualifies.
Most lenders require 700 minimum for jumbo loans. You'll get better rates at 740+ and the best pricing at 760 or higher.
Plan for 10-20% down depending on loan size and lender. Some programs allow 10% with strong credit, but 20% opens up the best rates and terms.
Usually, but not always. With 760+ credit and 25% down, jumbo rates can match or beat conventional. Rates vary by borrower profile and market conditions.
Reserves are months of mortgage payments sitting in savings or investments. Jumbo lenders want proof you can handle payments even if income drops temporarily.
Yes, put down 20% or more. PMI only applies when you finance more than 80% of the home's value on a conventional loan.