The conforming loan limit explained: where the line is and what crossing it means
Staying under the line
The line, briefly
Buyers stay under the line mainly by putting more money down or by pairing a conforming first mortgage with a second loan, sometimes called a piggyback. Each has trade-offs: a larger down payment uses cash you might keep as reserves, and a second loan adds its own costs and terms. Compare both against a jumbo quote.
Last reviewed against the primary sources listed below.
Compare three quotes
- A jumbo loan for the full amount.
- A conforming loan with a larger down payment.
- A conforming first plus a second loan.
Questions about the line
Is a piggyback loan better than a jumbo?
It depends on the combined costs and terms. Compare Loan Estimates for each structure.