Conforming High Balance Loans
What is a “Conforming High Balance” Loan?
A conforming high balance loan (sometimes called a “high-balance” or “super-conforming” loan) is a conventional mortgage that exceeds the national baseline conforming loan limit but falls within higher county-specific limits for high-cost areas. These loans are still eligible to be purchased or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, so they sit between standard conforming loans and jumbo loans in terms of size and underwriting.
2026 Conforming & High-Cost Loan Limits (Quick Facts)
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National baseline conforming limit for a 1-unit property (2026): $819,000.
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High-cost area ceiling for a 1-unit property (2026): $1,229,000 (150% of the baseline in designated high-cost counties).
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County-by-county loan limits vary — check the official Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac county tables for the exact limit where the property is located.
(These limits are updated annually by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and take effect for loans delivered to the Enterprises beginning January 1 each year.)
How a High-Balance Loan Differs from a Jumbo Loan
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High-balance (conforming) loans: exceed the national baseline but remain within the FHFA-set high-cost county limits and can be acquired by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.
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Jumbo loans: exceed the county high-cost ceiling and are non-conforming (not eligible for purchase by the Enterprises). Jumbo loans typically require stricter credit, lower DTI, and larger down payments.
Who Benefits from a Conforming High Balance Loan?
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Buyers in expensive housing markets (e.g., parts of CA, NY, MA) who need more borrowing power than the national baseline limit.
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Borrowers who want the underwriting/interest advantages of conforming loans (Fannie/Freddie-eligible) while borrowing more than the baseline limit.
Typical Underwriting & Qualification Points
High-balance conforming loans usually follow many of the same underwriting rules as standard conforming loans, including:
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Minimum credit score thresholds (varies by lender and program).
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Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio limits similar to conventional guidelines.
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Documentation and reserves requirements that can be more flexible than jumbos but still depend on lender overlays.
Because the loan remains within Fannie/Freddie purchase parameters, interest rates and down payment requirements are often more favorable than jumbo loans, though specifics vary by lender and market conditions.
How to Find your County’s Conforming/High-Balance Limit
The conforming limit applied to a mortgage is determined by the county where the property is located. Use the official county lookup tables published by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac (they publish PDF and CSV files each year showing limits by county). If the county is designated high-cost, its limit may be the higher ceiling instead of the national baseline.
Pros & Cons: High-Balance Conforming Loans
Pros
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Access to higher loan amounts while remaining conforming (Fannie/Freddie).
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Typically more competitive rates and lower down payment requirements than jumbos.
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More predictable secondary-market eligibility for lenders (can make lenders more willing to offer competitive pricing).
Cons
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Availability and exact terms depend on lender overlays (some banks may treat high-balance loans more conservatively).
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Limits are county-specific — not all markets qualify for the higher ceiling.
Example Scenarios
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Buying a $950,000 home in a high-cost county where the 1-unit limit is $1,229,000 → you may be eligible for a conforming high-balance loan rather than a jumbo.
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Buying a $900,000 home in a county where the ceiling is $819,000 → the loan would be jumbo (non-conforming), requiring different underwriting.
How to Apply: Checklist for Borrowers
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Confirm county loan limit (use Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac county files). Fannie Mae
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Shop lenders — ask specifically whether they offer conforming high-balance products and compare pricing vs jumbo.
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Gather documents: pay stubs, W-2s, tax returns, bank statements, explanations for large deposits.
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Review down payment & reserves — requirements vary by lender and loan-to-value.
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Lock or float — discuss rate lock strategies with your lender when you’re ready to proceed.
Common Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is a conforming high balance loan the same as a jumbo loan?
A: No. A conforming high balance loan is still within FHFA/Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac county limits and is eligible for purchase by the Enterprises. A jumbo exceeds those limits and is non-conforming.
Q: How much is the conforming loan limit in 2026?
A: The national baseline conforming limit for one-unit properties in 2026 is $819,000. High-cost area ceilings are $1,229,000 for one-unit properties in designated counties. Always confirm the county value for your property.
Q: Are rates for high-balance loans higher than for standard conforming loans?
A: They can be slightly higher than baseline conforming loans depending on lender pricing and market conditions, but typically they’re still more competitive than jumbo loan pricing because the loans remain eligible for Fannie/Freddie. Shop multiple lenders to compare.
Q: Where can I check county-by-county limits?
A: See the county loan-limit files and lookup tools published by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for the official 2026 values.
Ready to see if a conforming high-balance loan is right for your purchase? Contact us for a free pre-qualification and county loan-limit check, or compare quotes from multiple lenders to find the best rate and terms.
