About Half the Homes in Portland Fall Below Jumbo Loan Threshold

Published:
March 7, 2018
Last updated:
November 27, 2024
Post cover image
In This Article

Conforming loan limits have increased in Portland, Oregon in 2025 as a result of strong home prices, even though there were no increases over the past 12 months. But the limit is still much higher than the average home price in the city, leaving a lot of wiggle room for buyers.

Home prices in Portland, Oregon have been rising steadily for the last few years. As a result, federal housing officials raised the conforming and jumbo loan thresholds for the Portland metro area in 2025. Here’s an updated look at those revised limits, and how they relate to house prices in the city.

Definition: A conforming mortgage loan is one that meets the size restrictions (and other guidelines) used by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, the government-sponsored corporations that purchase mortgage loans from lenders. When a home loan exceeds these limits, it is referred to as a jumbo mortgage.

Home Prices Holding Steady in Portland

By the end of 2024, the median home price for Portland, Oregon was around $524,402. That’s based on data provided by the real estate information company Zillow. Other sources might report slightly different figures, though they’re all in the same ballpark.

In a real estate context, the median price is basically the midpoint for the market. Half of all homes are valued above the median, while the other half are valued below it. The statewide median home price was $492,683 in November 2024. Portland is a comparatively higher priced real estate market due to the strong demand from buyers in the city.

Live Portland Mortgage

Jumbo Loan Threshold Increased for 2025

So that’s an updated look at home prices. But what about loan limits? At the end of 2024, the Federal Housing Finance Agency announced they were raising the conforming loan limits for 2025. This was done in response to steady home-price appreciation that occurred nationwide during 2024.

These limits vary by county because they are based on house prices, which also vary from one area to the next. In the Portland metro area, the conforming loan limit for a single-family home was raised to $806,500 for 2025. Anything above that is considered a jumbo mortgage and might come with additional scrutiny.

So, what does this mean for home buyers who are planning to buy a house in the Portland area? It means that slightly more than half of the homes for sale in the area fall below the conforming loan limit assigned to Multnomah County. So, in theory, buyers should have plenty of homes to choose from without going above the jumbo mortgage threshold.

Note: It’s possible to borrow more than the conforming loan limit by using a “jumbo” mortgage. But the qualification and income requirements can be a bit more stringent, due to the higher amount of money being borrowed. As a result, most borrowers and home buyers in Portland tend to stay within the conforming loan range.

Check out our mortgage loan limit tool for conventional, FHA, and VA loans, as well as the 2025 conforming loan limits in Oregon.

Housing Supply Is Still Tight

The reality, though, is that Portland’s real estate market is still experiencing a supply shortage. We have reported on this many times in the past, because it’s an important factor that’s driving the local real estate market.

Inventory in Portland sits at around a 2-month supply. Five to six months is considered a normal or balanced real estate market. So, things are still tight from an inventory standpoint.

Despite the supply shortage, the higher loan limits that were established for 2025 should still benefit buyers, at least when it comes to mortgage financing.

Get an Instant Mortgage Rate Quote Today

Need a Mortgage in Portland?

Sammamish Mortgage is a local mortgage company serving the broader Pacific Northwest region, including Washington state, Idaho, Colorado, and Oregon. We offer a wide variety of mortgage programs and tools with flexible qualification criteria, including our Diamond Homebuyer ProgramCash Buyer Program, and Bridge Loans. We have been serving the entire state since 1992, as well as the broader Pacific Northwest region. Please contact us today with any financing-related questions you have.

Other Blogs You May Like
Can I Qualify for a Jumbo Loan With Less Than 20% Down in Washington?
December 19, 2024
6 min read
Can I Qualify for a Jumbo Loan With Less Than 20% Down in Washington?
Borrowers who purchase expensive homes in the state of Washington often end up relying on jumbo...
Pierce County VA Loan Limit Update: No More Loan Limits
December 3, 2024
6 min read
Pierce County VA Loan Limit Update: No More Loan Limits
Pierce County usually sees VA loan limit increases every year in response to rising home prices....
Show 13 more posts
from this category

Connect with a Mortgage Advisor Today!

Whether you’re buying a home or ready to refinance, our professionals can help.

Compare Mortgage Rates in Your Area Instantly

No Obligation and transparency 24/7. Instantly compare live rates and costs from our network of lenders across the country. Real-time accurate rates and closing costs for a variety of loan programs custom to your specific situation.

Subscribe to our newsletter