What is a Jumbo Loan in Hawaii 2023?

For many individuals and families, owning a home is a lifelong dream. However, with rising real estate prices, some may find themselves seeking financing beyond the conforming loan limit. This is when you may need to apply for a jumbo loan.

What is a jumbo loan?

So what are jumbo loans in Hawaii? They are large loans that exceed the loan limits set by the FHFA for conforming loans. Jumbo loans allow borrowers to finance homes that exceed the conforming loan limit (CLL), making it possible to buy high-end properties that may not be otherwise affordable.

If you’re considering purchasing a home that requires financing beyond the CLL, then you’ll need to apply for a jumbo loan. Because of the larger loan amounts, jumbo loans typically carry stricter requirements and higher interest rates than conforming loans. Lenders may require a higher down payment, a lower debt-to-income ratio, and a stronger credit score to qualify for a jumbo loan in Hawaii.

What is the jumbo loan limit in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, the conforming loan limit is $1,089,300 across all counties. For example, the conforming loan limit in Maui is $1,089,300, so any mortgage that surpasses this limit by even one dollar is classified as a jumbo loan.

As a reminder, the loan amount is what determines whether or not you’ll need a jumbo loan, not the price of the home you’re buying. So, if you were to put $50,000 down on a $750,000 home in Maui, the loan would be $700,000, which is under the CLL for this area. In this case, your loan wouldn’t be considered a jumbo loan.

This FHFA map will give you more specific information related to the conforming loan limits in your county.

What are the requirements for a jumbo loan in Hawaii?

To qualify for a jumbo loan in Hawaii, borrowers must meet stricter requirements than they would for a conforming loan. The specific requirements may vary from lender to lender, but below are the typical requirements for borrowers seeking a jumbo loan.

Higher credit score: When it comes to receiving a jumbo loan, credit score requirements are typically more stringent than for conventional mortgages. It’s possible that some lenders may accept a lower score, a credit score of at least 720 is generally required to qualify for a jumbo loan. It’s essential to have a strong credit profile and a solid financial history to increase your chances of being approved for a jumbo loan.

Larger down payment: When buying a higher-priced home, buyers will typically need to make a more substantial down payment. While borrowers seeking traditional mortgages may be able to find programs that allow for down payments as low as 3%, those seeking a jumbo loan should expect to put down a minimum of 10%, and in some cases, as much as 30%. If a lender accepts a down payment of less than 20%, the borrower will need to pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI).

More assets: Jumbo loan borrowers are typically required to have more assets than those seeking conventional loans. Lenders will review a borrower’s assets to ensure they have enough liquid assets or savings to cover at least one year of loan payments. This requirement is in place to mitigate the increased risk associated with larger loan amounts.

Lower debt-to-income ratio (DTI): To qualify for a jumbo loan in Hawaii, mortgage lenders typically look for a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio of no higher than 43%, and ideally closer to 36%. The DTI is calculated by dividing the sum of all monthly debt payments by the borrower’s gross monthly income. This requirement ensures that borrowers have a strong ability to repay their loan and manage their debt.

Additional home appraisals: For a jumbo loan, your mortgage lender may require an additional home appraisal as a second opinion, especially if the property is located in an area with few comparable sales. This is to ensure that the home is worth the loan amount or more and to mitigate the lender’s risk. The cost of the appraisal may also be higher in cities with limited  home sales.

The post What is a Jumbo Loan in Hawaii 2023? appeared first on Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling & More.