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Oregon jumbo loan limits are up in 2024 in response to rising home prices. In most counties across the state, anything above $766,550 will be considered a jumbo loan.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced in late 2023 that it would be increasing the conforming loan limit for Fannie and Freddie home loans in just about every part of the US to $766,550 in 2024.
According to the FHFA, the maximum conforming loan limit will be higher in 2024 as a result of generally rising home values [in 2023]. Among other things, this means that the jumbo loan limit for Oregon is higher in 2024 than it was in 2023.
The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 determines the conforming loan limits, which mandated that the baseline loan limit would not be increased again until home prices return to pre-recession decline levels.
But home prices are steadily increasing, prompting another increase in the conforming loan limit.
This year, every county in Oregon will have a conforming loan limit of $766,550.
Related: Portland maximum mortgage size
This increase comes on the heels of major home-price gains that occurred over the last couple of years. Home prices across the Pacific Northwest have risen at a faster pace than the national average in recent years. However, home prices remained stagnant in OR over the past 12 months.
Depending on the source, house values in Oregon dipped by 0.9% in the last 12 months as of November 2023. Despite this decrease, Oregon will see a higher jumbo loan threshold in 2024.
Currently, the median home price in Oregon is $487,750, according to Zillow. That said, home values can range wildly from one jurisdiction to the next, with Medford’s median home price at $392,182 and Portland’s at $523,622, for example.
Check out our mortgage loan limit tool for conventional, FHA, and VA loans.
The whole concept of loan limits can be pretty confusing, especially for first-time home buyers in Oregon who are not familiar with the terminology. And the concept of “jumbo loans” and “conforming limits” can further confuse things. Here’s a quick overview:
A conforming loan is a mortgage that is equal to or less than the amount set by the conforming loan limit established by the FHFA and meets the funding requirements of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. The limits vary by county because of the wide fluctuations in housing prices from one jurisdiction to the next.
As explained above, a jumbo mortgage loan is one that exceeds the conforming limits established by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. These size restrictions apply to loans that can be sold to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae via the secondary mortgage market. When a home loan exceeds these limits, it is referred to as a jumbo mortgage.
The requirements for borrowers seeking a jumbo loan in Oregon are similar to those used for smaller conforming home loans. Borrowers must have good credit and a demonstrated ability to repay their debts.
Income is a key distinction here. Jumbo borrowers must have sufficient income to manage the monthly payments for their loan, along with all other recurring debts. So, these mortgage products are typically used by people with comparatively higher income levels, due to the larger size of the loan.
You might think that a jumbo mortgage product would have a higher interest rate, since there’s a larger amount of money being borrowed. But it’s often the other way around.
Over the last few years, jumbo loans (that exceed conforming limits) have had lower average rates than their smaller conforming counterparts. This is the result of investor demand and other factors. But the bottom line is that borrowers who use jumbo loans in Oregon often qualify for lower rates.
Sammamish Mortgage has been serving borrowers in the Pacific Northwest, including WA, ID, OR, and CO, since 1992, offering competitive rates on jumbo and conforming loans, as well as other mortgage programs. Get in touch with us today to have all of your mortgage-related questions answered or to simply receive a no-obligation rate quote!
Whether you’re buying a home or ready to refinance, our professionals can help.
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No Obligation and transparency 24/7. Instantly compare live rates and costs from our network of lenders across the country. Real-time accurate rates and closing costs for a variety of loan programs custom to your specific situation.