Similar to other major metropolitan areas across the country, median home sales prices in Atlanta have increased significantly in recent years and are currently around $376,000. Compare that with almost six years ago when the median sales price was just over $160,000. In the jumbo luxury market, home values have impressed as well.
Jumbo loans are those that are greater than the current 2023 conforming loan limit of $726,200 and buyers who are financing luxury homes are seeing some very attractive interest rates, very near those reserved for conforming loan amounts.
Historically, interest rates for jumbo loans have been anywhere from 0.25% to 0.50% higher yet recently that gap has narrowed and jumbo interest rates are very near their conforming rate cousins.
As interest rates have fallen somewhat over the years the minimum Jumbo down payment requirements haven’t changed very much. Most jumbo loan programs ask for a down payment of at least 10% down and some banks require a 20% down payment. When buying and financing a home that is listed at $1,000,000, a 20% down payment is $200,000.
Many buyers in the Atlanta area who are in the jumbo market don’t always want to tie up that much of their own funds in a real estate transaction. Real estate is not the most liquid of transactions and while a down payment represents the initial equity in a real estate purchase, the equity is in the property and not in the buyer’s bank account.
Buyers may also want to leverage these low rates in today’s market as much as possible and seek a jumbo loan that doesn’t require as much cash to close. However, there is another option for buyers who prefer only a 5% down payment.
This 95% program is actually a combination of two loans, a first mortgage representing 80% of the sales price and a second lien of 15%. The buyers in this example need only make up the remaining 5%. For a $750,000 home, the buyers would put down $37,500. This structure is often referred to by lenders as an “80-15-5” combo loan. The minimum credit score is as low as 700 and is available to finance loan amounts up to $2.0 million with no monthly mortgage insurance costs.
Buyers also have a choice of a single 95% loan option which will require less closing costs. However, the rates could be higher depending on the total adjusted loan amount the buyer seeks. All the pros and cons of each option will be discussed during the initial phone interview with the borrower. Note: The 95% Jumbo loan is a fully documented loan that requires income and asset documentation among other guidelines listed below. These requirements apply to both purchase and Jumbo rate-term refinance loans.
- The home must be a primary residence or second home. Investment properties are permitted with a higher 20% down payment.
- Credit must be above 700 for all borrowers listed on the loan application
- Only single-family homes, townhomes, and select condos are permitted. No vacant lot loans, or building on your own land.
- Reserves will be required (amount of cash after down payment and closing costs) The exact amount of reserves will depend on the overall loan amount. The typical range is 3-9 months of reserves
- Buyers can find all the latest Jumbo Purchase FAQ’s here
Homebuyers that require even larger loan amounts can finance up to 90% loan to value with a $3.0 mil loan amount cap. All the 90% and 95% jumbo options are available to approved buyers nationwide. Happy to serve buyers across the U.S. including Georgia: Atlanta, Macon, Savannah, Alpharetta, Augusta, Columbus, Fulton County, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Cobb, Clayton, Coweta, Douglas, Fayette, Henry.
Please call us with questions at ph: 800-962-0677 or just submit the Quick Contact form on this page.
