We know that jumbo loans always blow the loan limit for conforming loans, so we need to know exactly how they differ from conforming loans. These differences between jumbo loans and conforming loans are highlighted in the following ways:

• Closing Costs and Fees

  For jumbo loans, the fees and costs at closing require some extra steps for the qualification because the amount of the loan is bigger. Whereas conforming loans are easier and more affordable at closing.

• Size

  Jumbo loans sit atop conforming loans whose limit is pegged at $510,400 most counties and $765,600 for more expensive counties. For jumbo loans, the amount is more open-ended in nature.

• Interest Rates

  Typically, conforming loans have lower interest rates but because of the higher amount of money and the greater risks involved with jumbo loans, the interest rates charged on jumbo loans are higher. Fortunately, if you look around long enough and compare different interest rates offered by lenders, you could possibly get interest rates at par with the interest rates on conforming loans.

• Down Payments

  Down payments are affordable on conforming loans. You have different options to choose from with respect to the initial payment (down payment), starting from a meager percentage of 3% of the value of the assessed sale price of the home. With jumbo loans, it is 10% of the value of the sale price of the home is the minimum you can get and that is if you are fortunate to get that, the down payment rate is usually set at 20%.