The 2026 high-balance conforming loan limit for Santa Cruz County is $1,249,125.
The 2026 “low-balance” conforming loan limit for Santa Cruz County is $832,750.
- Both loan limits above are based on a 1-unit property.
Click Here to See Our Fantastic Rates!
Loans between $832,750 and $1,249,125 for a 1-unit property in Santa Cruz County are considered high-balance conforming loans. High-balance loans tend to have slightly higher interest rates and slightly tighter qualifying guidelines compared to loans under the low-balance limit of $832,750. With a high-balance loan, you can put as little as 5% down, and the entire down payment can be a gift.
If you can keep your loan under $832,750, you will be rewarded with a lower interest rate and payment. Also, you can put as little as 3% down, and the entire down payment can be a gift.
First-time home buyers purchasing a home in Santa Cruz County may qualify for lower rates and costs by waiving Loan Level Pricing Adjustments or LLPAs if their gross annual qualifying income is $159,360 or less.
Loans above $1,249,125 for 1-unit properties in Santa Cruz County are considered jumbo loans. Jumbo loans can have more difficult qualifying requirements, such as mandatory reserve funds and lower maximum debt-to-income ratios.
Below are the high-balance conforming loan limits for 2 to 4-unit properties in Santa Cruz County:
- 2-unit property – $1,599,375
- 3-unit property – $1,933,200
- 4-unit property – $2,402,625
You can secure a lower interest rate and put as little as 5% down on a primary residence if you keep your loan amount under the “low-balance” limits for 2 to 4-unit properties in Santa Cruz County.
Below are the “low-balance” conforming loan limits for 2 to 4-unit properties in Santa Cruz County:
- 2-unit property – $1,066,250
- 3-unit property – $1,288,800
- 4-unit property – $1,601,750
Click Here for FHA Loan Limits for Santa Cruz County 2025
If you are looking for a purchase loan or a refinance in Santa Cruz County, we would love to work with you! We can close a purchase loan in as little as 10 days and refinances in 15 days. You won’t find a lower rate and better service than Community First Mortgage.
| Date Updated | Time |
|---|---|
| Nov 25, 2025 | 12:01 PM |
| Loan Type | Loan Purpose | Loan Term | Interest Rate | APR | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conforming | Purchase | 30 year fixed | 5.625% | 5.722% | 0.745 |
| Conforming | Purchase | 30 year fixed | 5.875% | 5.909% | 0.060 |
| Conforming | Purchase | 20 year fixed | 5.375% | 5.514% | 0.825 |
| Conforming | Purchase | 15 year fixed | 4.990% | 5.126% | 0.578 |
| FHA | Purchase | 30 year fixed | 5.375% | 6.119% | 0.064 |
| VA | Purchase | 30 year fixed | 5.250% | 5.501% | 0.291 |
Conforming
30 Year Fixed
| Interest | APR | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 5.625% | 5.722% | 0.745 |
| 5.875% | 5.909% | 0.060 |
20 Year Fixed
| Interest | APR | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 5.375% | 5.514% | 0.825 |
15 Year Fixed
| Interest | APR | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 4.990% | 5.126% | 0.578 |
FHA
30 Year Fixed
| Interest | APR | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 5.250% | 5.501% | 0.291 |
VA
30 Year Fixed
| Interest | APR | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 5.375% | 6.119% | 0.064 |
