When the price of a Boca Raton home outgrows standard financing, the loan moves into jumbo territory. These mortgages sit outside the conforming market, so guidelines vary by lender and investor, and the documentation is usually heavier than for a typical purchase. Here is a plain-language look at jumbo purchase and refinance options for Florida buyers and owners, all subject to credit approval.
Call to speak with a licensed loan officer about jumbo loans in Boca Raton. Programs vary by borrower, property and investor.
Home values and jumbo lending in Boca Raton
The median owner-occupied home in Boca Raton is valued at about $722,700. HMDA data show 1,903 non-conforming (jumbo) first mortgages in Palm Beach County in 2024. Whether your loan counts as jumbo depends on the loan amount and the limit for your county in the year you apply.
Where the conforming limit ends and jumbo begins
Think of the conforming limit as a border drawn county by county. Loans under it can be sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, and that resale market keeps the guidelines uniform. Loans over it are held by the lender or sold to private investors, so each one brings its own checklist.
Your purchase price alone does not decide the category. What matters is the loan amount after your own funds go in. Some buyers near the border choose to bring more cash so the loan stays conforming, while others prefer to keep savings in reserve and accept jumbo guidelines. A loan officer can walk through both paths with you, since the right choice depends on your whole financial picture.
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Prefer to talk first? Call (888) 912-6746. Applying is not a loan approval or commitment to lend; programs vary by borrower, property and investor. ClearPoint Mortgage Advisors, NMLS #173855. Properties in FL, NY, NJ, PA, CT and VA only.
Why jumbo underwriting asks for more documentation
Jumbo underwriting is less about a single score and more about the full picture. Underwriters study income stability, how much of your monthly budget already goes to debt, and whether your savings could cover the home costs if your income were interrupted.
Bonus, commission, restricted stock or partnership income may each need its own paper trail, often stretching back over several tax filings. Gift funds, if a lender allows them at all, usually require a signed letter and proof of transfer. Asking up front which documents the lender will want can save weeks of back-and-forth once you are under contract.
Who this tends to fit
- You are buying a second home or luxury property that conforming guidelines will not cover
- You earn income from bonuses, commissions or equity compensation and can document it
- You have strong savings and want to keep them invested rather than putting more toward the purchase
- You own a high-value home and want to refinance a jumbo mortgage
- You are buying a home whose loan amount will exceed the conforming limit for your county
Local offices and Florida rules to know
- Property assessment: Palm Beach County Property Appraiser - Exemption Services. Homeowners can apply for homestead exemption by e-filing on the Property Appraiser's website, in person at one of its service centers, or by printing the online application and mailing it in.
- Deed and mortgage recording: Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Palm Beach County - Recording. Your mortgage is recorded here after closing.
Florida recording costs: Documentary stamp tax on deeds and other documents that transfer an interest in Florida real property; documentary stamp tax on notes and recorded mortgages (written obligations to pay money); and nonrecurring intangible tax on mortgages - collected by the county clerk when the document is recorded. Your Loan Estimate lists the taxes that apply to your loan.
Jumbo appraisals, reserves and refinancing in Boca Raton
Higher-value homes can be harder to appraise because truly similar sales are scarce. Some jumbo lenders order a second appraisal or a desk review for larger loan amounts, and appraisers may need to look farther afield for comparable properties. Unique features, acreage or waterfront access can all add complexity.
Reserves are liquid savings left over after closing, counted in months of housing costs. Jumbo guidelines often call for more of them than conforming loans do, and retirement accounts may count at a reduced value. If you already own a jumbo-sized home, a jumbo refinance follows the same reserve and appraisal review, so plan ahead before applying.
Before you call
- Complete personal tax returns for recent years, with all schedules
- A list of other properties you own, with their mortgages, taxes and insurance
- Documentation for bonus, commission, restricted stock or partnership income
- Written explanations for any large or unusual deposits
- All pages of recent bank, brokerage and retirement account statements
Questions Boca Raton borrowers ask about jumbo loans
Is a jumbo loan only for buying a home?
No. Owners of high-value homes also use jumbo refinances to change from an adjustable to a fixed structure, adjust the term, remove a co-borrower or take cash out. The same closer look at income, assets and appraised value applies. If your current balance has dropped below the conforming limit for your county, a conforming refinance may also be an option worth comparing.
Does the conforming limit change every year?
Yes. FHFA reviews home price data and announces new conforming limits annually, and the figures vary by county. A loan amount that counted as jumbo in one period could fall under the limit later, or the reverse. Because the number shifts, ask a lender to confirm the limit for your specific county at the time you apply rather than relying on an older figure you saw online.
What are reserves, and why do jumbo lenders care about them?
Reserves are liquid funds you still have after paying your down payment and closing costs, usually measured in months of total housing expense. Jumbo lenders often look for more reserves than conforming lenders because the loans are larger and lack agency backing. Checking, savings, brokerage and some retirement funds may count, though retirement assets are sometimes valued at less than their full balance.
Why might a jumbo loan need two appraisals?
Some lenders and investors require a second appraisal or an additional review when the loan amount is especially large. Higher-value homes often have fewer comparable sales nearby, so a second opinion helps the lender confirm the value supporting the loan. If two appraisals are required, the lender usually relies on the lower value, which can affect how much you need to bring to closing.
Get answers about jumbo loans for a home in or around Boca Raton. Subject to credit approval; programs vary.
Other loan options in Boca Raton
LendersCompaniesBrokersHome loansRefinanceCash-out refinanceHELOCHome equity loanFHAVAFirst-time buyerReverse mortgageConstructionRenovation
Jumbo Loans near Boca Raton
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- Jumbo Loans in Coral Springs, FL (12 mi)
- Jumbo Loans in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL (12 mi)
Related guides
Jumbo Loans across Florida · Jumbo Loans guide · Florida overview
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates
- 2024 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data for Palm Beach County