Service Area · Saratoga, CA

Your Trusted Saratoga Mortgage Broker

Serious jumbo expertise for one of the county's highest-priced markets, from a broker based just outside Saratoga in Campbell.

Saratoga is one of Santa Clara County's highest-priced markets, known for its top-rated schools and low housing turnover. Most Saratoga purchases require jumbo or super-jumbo financing well above standard thresholds. I've spent 30+ years arranging financing across Santa Clara County — including Saratoga-area purchases and refinances — and I know which lenders handle super-jumbo files competitively.

Why Saratoga 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 typical Saratoga home values around $3.5M — and the 95070 core zip often reaching $4M or more — the overwhelming majority of Saratoga purchases require super-jumbo financing, often well beyond the size most lenders handle routinely.

Not every loan officer has closed enough loans at this size to move quickly, and pricing on non-conforming loans can vary significantly between lenders. This is exactly where working with a broker who shops multiple lenders pays off.

Loan programs Saratoga buyers use most

Affordable housing resources for Saratoga buyers

Saratoga doesn't operate its own below-market-rate homeownership program the way some neighboring cities do — local affordable housing options here are limited, and the City primarily coordinates with countywide resources rather than running a dedicated program.

If you or a family member are income-qualifying and open to broader Santa Clara County options, Housing Trust Silicon Valley is the right starting point for current countywide programs. I'm happy to walk through what's realistically available given your specific numbers.

Local, not corporate

I'm based in Campbell — a short drive from Saratoga — and I've built relationships with the appraisers, agents, and escrow officers who work this market regularly. That local knowledge matters even more at Saratoga's price points, where large loans and complex files need someone who can move quickly without surprises.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, virtually always. With the 2026 high-balance conforming loan limit for Santa Clara County at $1,249,125 and typical Saratoga home values around $3.5M (higher in the 95070 core), nearly every Saratoga purchase requires jumbo or super-jumbo financing.

Most jumbo programs want 700+, with the best pricing typically at 740-760 or higher. At Saratoga's typical loan sizes, lenders also look closely at post-closing reserves — the liquid assets you have left after the down payment — given how large these loans tend to be.

Not currently at the city level — Saratoga doesn't run its own below-market-rate homeownership program the way some neighboring cities do. Housing Trust Silicon Valley is the best resource for current countywide affordable housing programs if you or a family member may qualify.

Typically within 24 hours once Chris has your documents. A full underwritten pre-approval, not just a pre-qualification, is what makes an offer credible in a competitive Saratoga multiple-offer situation.

Speed, certainty of close, and clean super-jumbo underwriting. At these loan sizes, sellers and their agents often scrutinize a buyer's financing strength as closely as the price itself. Chris works with lenders who can close large jumbo files efficiently, and personally reinforces the strength of a client's pre-approval with listing agents.