Where does a jumbo loan begin in southern NH?
A jumbo loan is a mortgage larger than the Conforming loan limit The largest loan amount Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will buy. Loans above it are called jumbo loans. See the full glossary, the most Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can buy. The limit is set each year by FHFA and applies to the loan amount, not the price of the home. For a one-unit home in 2026:
| County | Towns include | Jumbo above |
|---|---|---|
| Hillsborough | Nashua, Manchester, Bedford, Merrimack, Hudson, Litchfield, Milford, Amherst, Hollis, Pelham, Goffstown, Weare | $832,750 |
| Merrimack | Concord, Hooksett | $832,750 |
| Rockingham | Salem, Windham, Londonderry, Derry, Exeter, Plaistow, Hampstead | $962,550 |
| Strafford | Dover, Rochester, Durham | $962,550 |
Limits for 2 to 4 unit homes are higher; the 2026 loan limits guide lists them.
What do jumbo lenders look for?
Because Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac don't buy these loans, each lender writes its own guidelines. Compared with a conforming loan, jumbo lenders often look for:
- Stronger credit and a steady income history.
- More cash reserves left over after closing, measured in months of payments.
- Fuller documentation of income and assets.
- A detailed appraisal, and on some larger loans a second one.
How much each of these matters, and how it affects pricing, varies from one lender to the next.
What documents should I have ready?
- Two years of W-2s or tax returns, and recent pay stubs.
- Two or more months of statements for every bank, brokerage and retirement account you plan to use or count as reserves.
- A written explanation for large deposits, and gift letters for any gift funds.
- If you're self-employed, business returns too, or bank statements for a bank statement loan.
The document checklist builds a list for how you earn.
What kinds of jumbo loans are there?
Jumbo loans come as fixed-rate loans and as adjustable-rate loans with a fixed period up front, and some lenders offer jumbo financing for second homes and investment properties as well as primary homes. Self-employed buyers can also look at jumbo-size bank statement loans. Buying on a lake? The lake and second homes guide covers what changes for waterfront and vacation homes.
What if my loan is just over the limit?
A loan slightly above the limit may be able to stay conforming with a larger down payment or a lower negotiated price. Tom can price it both ways so you can see whether staying under the limit is worth it for you.
How should I compare jumbo offers?
Ask each lender for a Loan Estimate A standard three-page form you receive within three business days of applying that shows your estimated rate, payment and costs. See the full glossary on the same day and for the same loan, and compare the rate, the points and lender fees, the reserves required and, for adjustable loans, how and when the rate can change. Because jumbo rules differ so much, working with a mortgage broker who can price several lenders at once can save legwork. See mortgage broker vs. bank.
Sources
- FHFA, Conforming Loan Limit Values for 2026 (news release, November 25, 2025)
- FHFA, 2026 conforming loan limits by county
- CFPB, Conventional loans
Checked October 2026. Limits and program rules change, so confirm current figures before you rely on them.
General information only, not tax or legal advice. Program availability, eligibility and terms vary by lender and are subject to change and to underwriting approval. Not a commitment to lend.