Loans at or below the conforming limit price best because Fannie and Freddie buy them from lenders. Above the limit, you're in jumbo territory — held on bank balance sheets at different pricing.
In 2026, Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, and Ventura counties qualify for the high-cost ceiling of $1,209,750 for a 1-unit property. San Bernardino and Riverside counties are at the baseline $806,500. Limits scale up for 2-, 3-, and 4-unit properties.
Near the ceiling, it's worth pulling both a high-balance-conforming and a jumbo quote to compare — depending on the week, either can price better.