Kent’s housing market offers strong value relative to Seattle and the Eastside — most homes trade well below King County’s high-balance conforming limit of $1,063,750, making conventional financing the standard tool for most buyers. But Kent’s upper tier is real and distinct. Meridian Valley Country Club — a gated golf community in southeast Kent — is home to some of South King County’s most prestigious estate properties, where custom builds on golf course-adjacent lots and larger parcels regularly push past the conforming ceiling. Scenic Hill’s most significant view homes, overlooking Mount Rainier to the southeast and the Olympic Mountains to the west, command premiums that bring them into Jumbo territory. And East Hill’s newer subdivisions — contemporary builds with modern finishes on larger lots at the upper end of the neighborhood’s price range — represent a growing tier of transactions above $1 million.
I specialize in Jumbo mortgage products for Kent and South King County buyers — with programs suited to the region’s buyer profile, including aerospace professionals and executives at Boeing and Blue Origin, established South King County business owners, and buyers relocating from higher-cost Eastside communities who want more home for their dollar in South King County.
A Jumbo mortgage is any home loan that exceeds the conforming loan limits set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In King County — which includes Kent — the 2026 high-balance conforming limit is $1,063,750 for a single-family home. Any loan amount above this threshold is considered Jumbo and falls outside standard agency guidelines, requiring private lender underwriting.
Because Kent’s median home price sits significantly below the conforming limit, Jumbo transactions here represent a genuine upper tier — buyers purchasing or building at the top of what South King County’s market offers. That profile tends to be executives,
long-established professionals, aerospace industry leaders, and buyers with substantial down payments who are purchasing the market’s finest properties.
Loan amounts above $1,063,750 (King County)
Flexible underwriting for aerospace executives, self-employed professionals, and complex-income borrowers
Asset depletion and asset-based income programs for high-net-worth buyers
New construction and resale properties throughout South King County
Portfolio and non-QM program access
Competitive rates with personalized terms
30-45 day closing timelines for qualified borrowers
Loans from $1,063,750 to $2.5M
Flexible underwriting for W-2, self-employed, and asset-based income borrowers
Primary residences, second homes, and investment properties
New construction timelines accommodated
Strong credit profiles preferred (700+)
Multi-million-dollar financing for Meridian Valley Country Club's most exceptional estate properties and South King County's upper-tier custom builds
Asset-based and portfolio loan programs
Alternative documentation for high-net-worth buyers
Discreet, high-touch service
Low or zero down payment (0-5%) for qualified medical professionals at Jumbo loan amounts
No PMI for qualifying medical professionals
Student loan flexibility maintained at Jumbo levels
Available for South King County healthcare professionals
Meridian Valley Country Club — Kent's most prestigious gated community, centered around a private golf course in southeast Kent near the King/Pierce County border. Custom homes and estate properties here occupy South King County's most exclusive residential address, with golf course-adjacent lots, large parcels, and builds that represent the top of the local market. Pricing at Meridian Valley regularly reaches and exceeds the Jumbo threshold for the most significant properties.
Scenic Hill — A quiet, established neighborhood south of downtown Kent known for its territorial views — west toward the Olympic Mountains across Puget Sound, and southeast toward Mount Rainier rising above the Green River Valley. Larger Scenic Hill properties and view-lot custom builds command premiums that bring them into Jumbo territory, particularly for buyers who prioritize the neighborhood's combination of proximity to downtown Kent and residential tranquility.
East Hill — Upper Tier — East Hill is Kent's largest and most diverse residential area, spanning from Lake Meridian in the north to the Covington border in the south. East Hill's newer developments — contemporary single-family homes built in the 2020s with modern finishes, two-car garages, and 2,500–3,500 square feet — price from $690,000 to $1.1 million and above. The upper end of this range, particularly for larger and more recently built homes, approaches and crosses the standard conforming limit if loan-to-value ratios create loan amounts above $832,750, placing them in high-balance or Jumbo territory.
Covington and Maple Valley — Just southeast of Kent, Covington and Maple Valley offer newer construction, larger lots, and more of a rural-suburban character. Upper-tier custom builds in these communities — acreage properties and larger estates with views toward the Cascade foothills — can exceed the conforming limit and require Jumbo financing.
Knowledge of South King County's premium communities — Meridian Valley Country Club, Scenic Hill, upper East Hill, Covington, and Maple Valley
Flexible Jumbo programs for aerospace professionals, South King County business owners, self-employed borrowers, and Eastside buyers seeking more value in South King County
Asset depletion and asset-based income programs for buyers whose wealth is held in investments or retirement accounts
Physician Jumbo programs for South King County healthcare professionals
Fast, transparent approvals with direct lender relationships
20+ years of experience — NMLS #235295
Strong Credit Profile — Typically 700+ for standard Jumbo programs, with some lenders preferring 720–740 for the most competitive terms.
Low Debt-to-Income Ratio — Most programs prefer DTI under 43%, with flexibility for high-asset borrowers qualifying via asset depletion.
Significant Cash Reserves — 6-12 months of mortgage payments in reserves is typical.
Stable, High Income — W-2, self-employed, asset-based, and retirement income borrowers all qualify under the right programs. Aerospace executives, established South King County professionals, and buyers relocating from Seattle or the Eastside are among the most common Jumbo buyer profiles in Kent.
Pre-Qualification — Review your income, assets, and target property or community.
Program Selection — Identify the best Jumbo program for your financial profile.
Application & Underwriting — Efficient process for qualified borrowers.
Approval & Closing — Typically 30-45 days for resale; new construction timelines accommodated.
Funding — Move into your Kent home with confidence.
Jumbo transactions are concentrated in Kent's upper tier — Meridian Valley Country Club, upper Scenic Hill, and larger East Hill builds where total loan amounts exceed $1,063,750. As South King County has attracted buyers seeking more home for their money relative to Seattle and the Eastside, demand for Kent's premium properties has grown alongside the broader market.
Yes. Asset depletion programs calculate qualifying income from your documented investable assets — including retirement accounts, brokerage accounts, and other liquid holdings — divided over a defined drawdown period. This is a meaningful qualifying tool for long-tenured Boeing and aerospace professionals who have accumulated substantial retirement savings alongside their employment income.
Yes. Jumbo One-Time Close Construction programs are available for custom builds on acreage parcels in Covington, Maple Valley, and throughout Southeast King County — covering land acquisition and construction in a single loan with rate locked at origination.
Ready to finance your upper-tier Kent or South King County property? Schedule a confidential consultation today.
Originally from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, I moved to Phoenix to attend Arizona State University and have proudly called Phoenix home ever since.
My journey into the mortgage industry began with a friend’s encouragement, who saw how my energy and people-first mindset could make a difference. He was right — I found my calling.
I’ve always embraced what makes me different. With ADHD as my secret weapon, I thrive in fast-paced, detail-heavy environments. I’ve built my career on clear communication, creative problem-solving, and putting clients first, always.
Outside of work, my greatest motivation is my wife and three amazing kids. I’d be honored to help guide you through your lending journey with care, clarity, and commitment.
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