By Jessica Schwartz, REALTOR® & Loan Originator · November 3, 2026
A jumbo loan is a mortgage larger than the conforming loan limit, which in 2026 is $832,750 for a one-unit home in St. Lucie, Martin and Palm Beach counties. If you are looking at a waterfront home in Stuart or a golf community in Jupiter, it helps to know where that line sits before you start shopping.
- The 2026 one-unit conforming limit is $832,750 in St. Lucie, Martin and Palm Beach counties. A loan above that is generally a jumbo loan.
- The limit applies to the loan amount, not the purchase price, so a home priced above the limit can still have a conforming loan.
- Jumbo guidelines are set by each lender and usually look closely at credit, cash reserves, income documentation and the appraisal.
- In Florida, taxes, insurance and association fees can change what you qualify for, so estimate them early.
What is a jumbo loan?
Most mortgages in the U.S. are conforming loans. They fit within limits set each year by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which means they can be purchased by the government-sponsored enterprises that support the mortgage market. A loan above the limit can’t be sold that way, so the lender keeps it or sells it to private investors.
That one difference explains most of what makes jumbo loans feel different. There is no single national rulebook. Each lender writes its own guidelines, and two lenders can look at the same buyer and the same house and ask for different things.
The 2026 limits on the Treasure Coast and the Palm Beaches
Here is how the limits look across my market for a one-unit home:
| County | Areas include | Conforming limit | FHA limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Lucie | Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce | $832,750 | $603,750 |
| Martin | Stuart, Palm City, Jensen Beach, Hobe Sound | $832,750 | $603,750 |
| Palm Beach | Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens | $832,750 | $667,000 |
These numbers change. FHFA updates the conforming limit at the end of each November, and the 2027 figure had not been announced when I wrote this. If your closing could land after the first of the year, ask which limit will apply to your loan. A loan that is jumbo today could fall under a higher limit next year.
The limit is about the loan, not the price
This is the part I explain most often. Whether you need a jumbo loan depends on how much you borrow, not on what the home costs. Say you are buying a $900,000 home. This is simple math for illustration, not a loan offer:
- Bring $67,250 or more to the purchase and your loan amount is $832,750 or less, which is within the 2026 conforming limit.
- Bring $50,000 and your loan amount is $850,000, which is above the limit and generally jumbo.
Either way you still have to qualify, and a conforming loan isn’t automatically the better fit. It is worth comparing both when you are near the line. I go through the basics of each conventional and government option in FHA vs. conventional loans in Florida.
VA loans work differently. According to the VA, borrowers with full entitlement don’t have a VA loan limit, as long as they can afford the loan and the appraisal supports the price. A lender still has to approve the loan. My VA loan guide for the Treasure Coast has more on that.
What lenders usually look at
Guidelines vary, but these are the areas that tend to get the most attention on a larger loan:
- Credit. Many lenders look for a stronger credit profile than they would on a smaller loan.
- Debt-to-income ratio. The lender compares your monthly debts, including the full new housing payment, to your documented income.
- Cash reserves. You may need to show savings or other assets that remain after closing, often measured in months of payments. How retirement and investment accounts count depends on the lender.
- Income documentation. If your income comes from self-employment or retirement accounts, expect detailed questions. Some lenders offer programs that look at bank statements or assets, and those come with their own requirements.
- The appraisal. Higher-priced homes can be harder to value because there are fewer similar sales nearby, and some lenders ask for a second appraisal. Waterfront homes with unique lots or docks can take extra time.
- Down payment. Requirements depend on the lender, the loan size and the property, so ask for this early.
Florida costs that can change the math
Your qualifying payment is more than principal and interest. Lenders count taxes, insurance and required association fees, and in Florida those can be a real part of the monthly number.
- Property taxes. Don’t budget from the seller’s bill. Assessed value generally resets after a sale, so the seller’s capped assessment usually won’t carry over to you. My homestead exemption guide covers how that works, and your county property appraiser can give you an estimate.
- Insurance. Wind and flood coverage on a higher-value home needs its own look. Federal flood policies through the National Flood Insurance Program cap residential building coverage at $250,000, so owners of larger homes often ask their agent about additional flood coverage. See my Florida home insurance questions and get quotes early in your inspection period.
- HOA, CDD and club costs. Many golf communities and gated communities have association fees, and some also have CDD assessments. Ask which costs are mandatory, because those can count toward your payment.
How to get ready before you shop
- Start with a pre-approval. Do this before you tour, so you know whether your target price puts you in conforming or jumbo territory. Here’s how pre-approval works in Florida.
- Organize your paperwork. Recent tax returns, income documents and full statements for bank and investment accounts help you avoid delays.
- Plan your cash. Add up your down payment, closing costs and any reserves together, and avoid moving large sums without talking to your loan officer first.
- Allow time in the contract. A complex appraisal or a second appraisal can take longer, so build that into your financing timeline.
- Pick the home with the full payment in mind. Two homes at the same price can have very different insurance, tax and association costs.
If you are still deciding where to look, my guides to luxury homes in Port St. Lucie and Port St. Lucie waterfront homes are a good place to start.
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General information, not legal, tax, insurance or financial advice. Not a commitment to lend; all loans subject to credit approval and underwriting. Jessica Schwartz, REALTOR® & Broker Associate, RE/MAX Gold. Each RE/MAX office is independently owned and operated. Loan Originator NMLS #2704014, RMI Brokers, Inc. dba One Brokerage, NMLS #2142653. Equal Housing Opportunity.