Cupertino Mortgage Broker — Chris Johnson
In a market driven as much by school boundaries as square footage, local financing know-how from a broker based nearby in Campbell.
Cupertino consistently ranks among Santa Clara County's most competitive markets, driven by top-rated schools, proximity to major tech employers, and severely limited inventory. Most Cupertino purchases require jumbo financing, and homes routinely sell in under two weeks with multiple offers. I've spent 30+ years arranging financing across Santa Clara County — including Cupertino-area purchases and refinances — and I know how to structure a competitive offer here.
Why Cupertino buyers need a specialist
The 2026 baseline conforming loan limit is $832,750, but Santa Clara County is a federally designated high-cost area, which raises the limit here to $1,249,125 for both conforming and FHA financing on a one-unit property — loans above that are what actually qualify as jumbo in this county. With Cupertino's median home sale price around $3.2M — and single-family homes often trading well above that — most Cupertino purchases require jumbo financing, and many push into super-jumbo territory.
Homes here frequently sell in 7 to 14 days with multiple offers, which means a slow or generic pre-approval can cost you the deal before financing even becomes the issue. Working with a broker who can move fast and shop your loan across multiple lenders matters more here than almost anywhere else in the county.
Loan programs Cupertino buyers use most
Jumbo & super jumbo loans
Financing for Cupertino's high price points, common across nearly every purchase here.
Conventional loans
For buyers considering Cupertino's condo and townhome market at more accessible price points.
Self-employed / bank-statement loans
Common among Cupertino's concentration of tech professionals, consultants, and business owners.
HELOC & cash-out refinance
For longtime Cupertino homeowners with significant built-up equity.
Fast-close / hard money options
For buyers who need certainty of close in a market where homes often sell in under two weeks.
Cupertino's Below Market Rate (BMR) Housing Program
Cupertino operates an active Below Market Rate (BMR) Ownership and Rental Program, administered by Rise Housing Solutions on the City's behalf. Both ownership and rental BMR units are available to income-qualifying households, based on income limits published annually by California's Housing and Community Development department for Santa Clara County.
The program uses an annual lottery-based waitlist — the application window typically opens in October each year, with priority points determining placement. It's a competitive, limited-availability program rather than assistance available on demand, but it's genuinely worth knowing about if you or a family member may qualify. I'm happy to point you toward the current application window and eligibility details.
Local, not corporate
I'm based in Campbell — a short drive from Cupertino — and I've built relationships with the appraisers, agents, and escrow officers who work this market regularly. In a market where homes sell in 7 to 14 days, that local speed and familiarity often make the difference between winning and losing a deal.