A non-conforming jumbo mortgage is needed for loan amounts over the conforming loan limit of $484,350 and $726,525 in high-cost areas. If you need to take out a loan over the conforming limit, a fixed or adjustable rate jumbo mortgage could be your ticket to a big and beautiful home. Jumbo loans are ineligible for purchase by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac and must be sold in the secondary market. What does this mean? Jumbo loans can require more stringent credit guidelines and larger down payments than conforming loans.