A jumbo loan is a mortgage sized above the conforming loan limit, which FHFA resets annually for each county. If you are shopping for a higher-priced home in Harrison or elsewhere in Westchester County, expect a deeper look at your income, savings and the property itself. Below you will find how jumbo underwriting differs, what reserves mean and how to get your paperwork in order before you call.
Call to speak with a licensed loan officer about jumbo loans in Harrison. Programs vary by borrower, property and investor.
Home values and jumbo lending in Harrison
The median owner-occupied home in Harrison is valued at about $1,010,700. HMDA data show 800 non-conforming (jumbo) first mortgages in Westchester 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
Every year FHFA publishes the maximum loan size that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can purchase. That ceiling differs by county, and some high-cost counties have a higher ceiling than others. Any first mortgage above the figure for your county is a jumbo, also called a non-conforming loan.
The line matters because it decides who sets the rules. A conforming loan follows standardized guidelines. A jumbo follows whatever the lender or the investor buying the loan requires, which is why two jumbo offers can look quite different. Ask any lender you speak with to confirm the limit for the county where the property sits before you assume which side of the line you are on.
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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 home whose loan amount will exceed the conforming limit for your county
- You are buying a second home or luxury property that conforming guidelines will not cover
- You own a high-value home and want to refinance a jumbo mortgage
- You are self-employed with several years of business tax returns
- You have strong savings and want to keep them invested rather than putting more toward the purchase
Local offices and New York rules to know
- Deed and mortgage recording: Westchester County Clerk (Land Records). Your mortgage is recorded here after closing.
New York recording costs: Mortgage recording tax (state, plus local mortgage recording taxes in New York City, Yonkers and some counties), paid to the county recording office when the mortgage is recorded; real estate transfer tax on deeds/conveyances (filed with Form TP-584, or TP-584-NYC in New York City), including the additional 'mansion tax' on higher-priced residential purchases, which is paid by the buyer. Your Loan Estimate lists the taxes that apply to your loan.
Jumbo appraisals, reserves and refinancing in Harrison
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
- Written explanations for any large or unusual deposits
- All pages of recent bank, brokerage and retirement account statements
- Business tax returns and a year-to-date profit and loss statement if you are self-employed
- Complete personal tax returns for recent years, with all schedules
- The county where the property sits, so the lender can confirm the conforming limit that applies
Questions Harrison borrowers ask about jumbo loans
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.
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.
Can I get a jumbo loan if I am self-employed?
You may be eligible. Self-employed borrowers usually provide personal and business tax returns covering more than one recent filing, along with a year-to-date profit and loss statement and business bank statements. Lenders typically average income over time and look for stability or growth. Some investors offer alternative documentation programs, though terms and requirements vary by borrower, property and investor.
Are jumbo guidelines the same at every lender?
No. Because jumbo loans fall outside the standardized conforming market, each lender or investor sets its own requirements for credit history, reserves, debt levels, property types and documentation. One lender may accept a file another declines. That variation makes it worth asking detailed questions and comparing official Loan Estimates, since every offer is subject to credit approval and the lender's specific guidelines.
Get answers about jumbo loans for a home in or around Harrison. Subject to credit approval; programs vary.
Other loan options in Harrison
LendersCompaniesBrokersHome loansRefinanceCash-out refinanceHELOCHome equity loanFHAVAFirst-time buyerUSDAReverse mortgageConstructionRenovation
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- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates
- 2024 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data for Westchester County