Stepping Up to Your Dream Home: The Ins & Outs of Jumbo Loans

Liz Gibbs • December 8, 2023

In the journey toward homeownership, some dreams are bigger than others. If your aspirations lead you toward a luxurious home or a property in a high-cost area, a jumbo loan might be your gateway. Unlike standard loans, jumbo loans are designed to eye properties that exceed the conforming loan limits set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. At Eagle Mortgage, we specialize in navigating this unique path, ensuring your journey to luxury homeownership is as smooth and efficient as possible. Let's delve into the world of jumbo loans and how they can bring your grand home aspirations within reach.


Qualifying for Jumbo Loans


Jumbo loans come with their set of qualifications aimed at ensuring borrowers can comfortably manage the larger loan amounts:


  • Credit Score: A higher credit score is typically required, often around 700 or above.
  • Income and Assets: You'll need to provide proof of a solid and stable income and substantial assets to cover the down payment and reserves.
  • Down Payment: Expect to need at least 10-20% down, depending on the lender and the loan amount.
  • Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI): A lower DTI ratio is preferred, indicating that you can manage your existing debt while taking on a larger mortgage.


Benefits of Choosing a Jumbo Loan


Opting for a jumbo loan to finance your dream home comes with its perks:


  • Access to Higher Loan Amounts: The most apparent benefit is the ability to borrow more than the conforming loan limits, essential for purchasing luxury properties.
  • Competitive Interest Rates: Despite the higher loan amounts, jumbo loans often come with competitive interest rates, sometimes even rivaling those of conventional loans.
  • Flexible Loan Terms: Lenders might offer more flexible terms for jumbo loans, including fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgage options to fit your financial planning.


Understanding the Risks


While jumbo loans open doors to luxury properties, they also come with considerations:


  • Higher Down Payments: The larger investment upfront can be a significant consideration.
  • Stricter Qualifications: The more rigorous qualifying criteria mean that not every buyer will be eligible.
  • Interest Rate Variances: Depending on market conditions, jumbo loans can have higher interest rates than conventional loans.


How Eagle Mortgage Can Help


Navigating the complexities of jumbo loans requires a knowledgeable and experienced partner. At Eagle Mortgage, we pride ourselves on our expertise in the luxury home market and our ability to tailor loan solutions to your unique needs. From understanding the ins and outs of qualifying for a jumbo loan to securing the best possible rates and terms, we're here to guide you every step of the way.


When it comes to purchasing a high-value property, the right financing makes all the difference. Jumbo loans offer a flexible and viable option for those looking to invest in a luxury home, providing the financial means to bring your grandest dreams to life. With Eagle Mortgage, you're not just applying for a loan; you're taking the first step toward securing your dream home. Let us help you navigate this journey with confidence and ease, ensuring your path to luxury homeownership is as rewarding as the destination itself.

Best Chili Recipe

By Liz Gibbs • January 27, 2026
Ingredients ▢2 pounds lean ground beef ▢1 onion diced ▢1 jalapeño seeded and finely diced ▢4 cloves garlic minced ▢2 ½ tablespoons chili powder divided, or to taste ▢1 teaspoon cumin ▢1 green bell pepper seeded and diced ▢14.5 ounces crushed tomatoes 1 can ▢19 ounces canned red kidney beans drained and rinsed ▢14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes with juices ▢1 ½ cups beef broth ▢1 cup beer ▢1 tablespoon tomato paste ▢1 tablespoon brown sugar optional ▢salt and black pepper to taste Instructions Combine ground beef and 1 ½ tablespoons chili powder. In a large pot, brown ground beef, onion, jalapeno, and garlic. Drain any fat. Add in remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered 45-60 minutes or until chili has reached desired thickness. Top with cheddar cheese, green onions, cilantro or other favorite toppings. Serving size: 1 1/2 cups Beer can be replaced with extra broth. Any ground meat will work in this recipe. Optional toppings: sour cream, red or green onion, cheese, jalapenos, cilantro, avocado & lime wedges, tortilla chips Nutrition Information Calories: 395 | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 283mg | Potassium: 1066mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 870IU | Vitamin C: 26.2mg | Calcium: 86mg | Iron: 6.2mg

Cowboy Casserole

By Liz Gibbs • December 16, 2025
Ingredients - 1 (32-oz.) bag of tater tots - 4 strips of bacon (about 3 oz.) - 1/2 yellow onion, chopped - 2 cloves garlic, chopped - 1 lb. ground sirloin - 1 (10.75-oz.) can cream of mushroom soup - 3/4 cup milk - 1/2 tsp. salt - 3/4 tsp. ground black pepper, divided - 3 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped - 1 cup frozen corn - 8 oz. shredded cheddar or colby jack cheese - 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese - Chopped chives or scallions, for topping Directions 1 Preheat the oven to 375˚F. Remove the tater tots from the freezer to let them thaw slightly while you prepare the filling. 2 Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until golden brown and extra crispy, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the grease in the skillet. 3 Add the onion to the skillet with the grease and cook until slightly softened, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute more. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until no pink pieces remain, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain off the excess fat, if you like. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the soup, milk, salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper; mix until smooth. Fold in the spinach to wilt slightly. Stir in the corn. 4 Sprinkle the cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Place the tater tots on top in a single layer, arranging them in concentric circles (or just toss them on and push them very close together). Sprinkle the top with the parmesan cheese and the additional 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. 5 Bake until he tater tots are golden, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and crumble the cooked bacon over top. Let rest 5 minutes. Top with chopped chives or scallions and serve.

No Bake Cannoli Pie

By Liz Gibbs • December 4, 2025
The Prep Time: Additional Time: Total Time: Servings: Yield: 20 mins 4 hrs 4h rs 20 mins 1 0 1 (9-inch) pie Crust: - 8 waffle cones, slightly crushed - 1/2 cup roasted pistachios - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar - 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted - cooking spray Filling: - 1/4 cup salted roasted pistachios, plus chopped pistachios for garnish - 1½ cups whole milk ricotta - 1 cup mascarpone cheese - 1 cup unsifted powdered sugar - 1 /2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips, plus more for garnish - 2 teaspoons grated orange zest, plus more for garnish - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt - 1 cup heavy whipping cream Directions: - Gather all ingredients. - To make the crust: Pulse waffle cones, pistachios, and sugar in a food processor until mixture is finely ground, about 20 (1-second) pulses. Add butter, and pulse until mixture holds together when squeezed, about 10 (1-second) pulses, stopping to scrape down sides as needed. - Lightly coat a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate with cooking spray, and transfer waffle cone mixture to prepared pie plate, pressing evenly into bottom and up sides of pie plate. Freeze crust, uncovered, until set, about 15 minutes. - Meanwhile, to make the filling: - Finely chop pistachios, and transfer to a medium bowl. Add ricotta, mascarpone, powdered sugar, chocolate chips, orange zest, vanilla, and salt. Stir until combined, and set aside at room temperature. - Beat heavy cream with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until medium peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes. Spoon whipped cream into ricotta mixture, and gently fold until just combined. - Spoon ricotta mixture into prepared Crust, and spread in an even layer with a rubber spatula or offset spatula. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate, uncovered, until set, at least 4 hours or up to 8 hours. - Remove pie from refrigerator; remove plastic wrap, and garnish with additional chopped pistachios, chocolate chips, and orange zest. Nutrition Facts (per serving) 664 50g 46g 11g Calories Fat Carbs Protein
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