Rates on jumbo mortgages are in the same ballpark as conventional loans, and the new “qualified mortgage” regulations that took effect in January don’t apply to them.

This year is already shaping up to be a “banner year” for jumbo mortgages, Reuters reports — which is good news for the housing recovery, because jumbo lending could boost “move-up” transactions that will free up inventory at the lower end of the market. Source: reuters.com.