Iowa is an iconic example of midwestern life in the States, offering its residents lovely green fields and gently rolling hillsides. It’s not just farms and pastures, however. Many Iowans live vibrant, urban lives or enjoy living in modern, new suburban developments. 

According to the Association of Iowa Realtors, the most recent median price for a home in the state is $195,000. While still below conforming limits, home prices are on track to rise even higher, especially in more populous areas of the state. What’s more, the conforming limits on conventional loans can prevent many Iowans from investing in larger or more expensive real estate.

For the most recent year, the HDMA data places Iowa 34th in the country in terms of mortgage origination activity, with a total of $585 million in jumbo mortgages originated. That means a good number of homeowners are taking advantage of these convenient loans. 

What is the jumbo loan limit in Iowa?

The jumbo loan limit in Iowa is $726,200 for all counties in the state. Any loan that exceeds $726,200 is a jumbo loan in the state of Iowa. Any loan that is less than $726,200 is a conforming loan in the state of Iowa.

4 Top Iowa jumbo loan lenders

If you’re ready to look over the best jumbo loan lenders in Iowa, here are some options to consider.

1. Chase Bank

JPMorgan Chase Bank is one of the oldest banks in the United States, tracing its roots back to the 18th-century and JP Morgan himself. As one of the Big Four banks, it’s not a surprise that they have a competitive jumbo mortgage program in addition to a variety of other financing options.

We contacted Chase Bank to get additional details about their jumbo mortgage. Here are some key terms and highlights:

• Up to $3 million for a jumbo loan.
• Banking customers might get discounted pricing up to 0.5% off standard rates.
• $5,000 Closing Guarantee (either an on-time closing or you get $5,000).
• Interest Only loan available for high-value, single-family primary or secondary home purchases.

When you’re ready to connect with a loan officer experienced in jumbo mortgages, use our form to quickly match with jumbo loan programs based on your specific circumstances.

2. Huntington Bank

Huntington Bank is the 26th largest bank in the United States. Operating primarily out of the Midwest, their mortgage group can service a large part of the country. Huntington has a competitive jumbo loan product with no money down financing options.

We contacted a loan officer at Huntington Bank to gather information about their jumbo mortgage rates and here’s what we heard back:

• Loan amounts up to $2.5 million
• Purchase and refinance available
• Refinancing allows you to take up to $750,000 of equity out of your home.
• Second homes are eligible
• Single-family and multi-unit properties are eligible

When you’re ready to connect with a loan officer experienced in jumbo mortgages, use our form to quickly match with jumbo loan programs based on your specific circumstances.

3. SoFI

SoFi is a financial institution based in California that specializes in student loan refinance options, PLUS loans and flexible repayment terms. You might not know that they also offer jumbo loan mortgages.

We spoke to a loan officer at SoFi to discuss their jumbo loan mortgage and this is what we learned:

• Loan amounts up to $3 million
• Down payments start at 10% and increase as the loan amount increases.
• No PMI, regardless of your down payment amount, resulting in lower monthly payments.
• 15-year or 30-year fixed rate products available

When you’re ready to connect with a loan officer experienced in jumbo mortgages, use our form to quickly match with jumbo loan programs based on your specific circumstances.

4. Flagstar Bank

Flagstar Bank has a jumbo product in all 50 states, making it a popular choice among many people looking for higher mortgage amounts. If you’re considering a jumbo mortgage, you’ll want to compare Flagstar’s rates using their online mortgage calculator as part of your analysis.

We reached out to a loan officer at Flagstar Bank to get details on their jumbo mortgage. Here are the highlights:

• Loan amounts up to $3 million on primary residences
• Loan amounts up to $2.5 million on second homes
• Purchase and interest rate/term refinance options available on primary residences and second homes
• No mortgage payment prepayment penalties
• First-time homebuyers permitted
• No mortgage insurance options available
• Cash-out options available on primary residence

When you’re ready to connect with a loan officer experienced in jumbo mortgages, use our form to quickly match with jumbo loan programs based on your specific circumstances.

How are Iowa jumbo loans different from conventional mortgages?

Conventional mortgages, for one, often require a downpayment of 20 percent. Borrowers are often approved for jumbo loans with far less money down. That’s one significant difference. Perhaps the biggest difference between these two products, however, comes down to their limits. 

The federal government has defined a set of conforming limits for conventional mortgages. These limits are designed to protect both borrowers and the lending institution. A jumbo loan is a “non-conforming loan”, meaning it can offer a borrower financing for purchases that go beyond conforming limits. This gives borrowers a way to finance big purchases with just one loan. With a conventional loan, a borrower would have to take out multiple mortgages to finance a big property in Iowa. 

Is an Iowa jumbo loan the right fit for you?

Taking out a mortgage is an important decision. How can you know if a jumbo loan is the right one for you? Well, many Iowans are looking at purchasing acreage, which can push up the price of a property. Taking the conventional approach means creating a pretty complex financial picture with several mortgages. A jumbo loan is a great idea if you want just one loan to finance a larger property with a higher property value.

Conforming loan limits are established by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two government-backed home loan entities that buy most of the mortgages made in the U.S. from mortgage lenders and resell them to investors. 

One of these mortgages is also a good fit for you if you have excellent credit. Given the exposure of a high-limit loan to the bank, they have some strict standards when it comes to approval. If your credit score is less than desirable or you have a high debt-to-income ratio, a jumbo loan may not work for you. If your credit is strong, however, and you have time for a detailed approval and underwriting process, a jumbo loan is one of the easiest ways to finance a large or luxury home. 

Need a jumbo loan in a different state?

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