2026 Mortgage Loan Limits for Conventional, FHA & VA Loans

Enter your ZIP code below to check the borrowing limits in your area

* Check with a loan advisor regarding maximum VA loan amounts before applying, as individual lenders may enforce their own borrowing caps even though VA loans have no official limit.

Mortgage loan limits are updated every year for every U.S. county by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

1-Unit

(Single Family)

2-Unit

(Duplex)

3-Unit

(Triplex)

4-Unit

(Fourplex)

Conforming Loan Limit

FHA Loan Limit

No Limits*

* Government limits on VA loans were removed starting January 1, 2020, under the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019. However, lenders may set their own loan maximums. Be sure to check with your loan advisor to confirm your maximum VA loan amount before submitting an offer.

County loan limits are established annually by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do loan limits exist?

Mortgage limits help manage lender risk while ensuring loans fit standard government guidelines for resale and insurance.

What is a conforming loan?

A conforming loan meets the specific criteria and maximum size caps set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

What is a jumbo loan?

A jumbo loan is any mortgage exceeding local conforming limits, which generally requires stronger credit and higher financial reserves.

Do loan limits vary by location?

Yes. Maximum loan amounts are higher in expensive real estate markets to reflect local housing prices.

How are loan limits determined?

Federal housing agencies calculate borrowing caps every year based on shifts in average home prices nationwide.

Can I borrow more than the loan limit?

Yes, but you will need a jumbo mortgage or specialized financing, which often carries different underwriting requirements.

What is the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio?

LTV compares your mortgage size against your home's appraised value, helping lenders evaluate risk and set loan terms.

Are there government-backed mortgage programs?

Yes, government-backed options like FHA and VA loans feature flexible qualification guidelines and low down payment options.

What is mortgage pre-approval?

A pre-approval is an official evaluation by a lender confirming how much money you can qualify to borrow based on your verified financials.

Should I get pre-qualified or pre-approved before shopping for homes?

You should always aim for a full pre-approval. While a pre-qualification is just a rough estimate based on unverified information, a pre-approval verifies your actual income, assets, and credit. Sellers and real estate agents treat pre-approval letters as a serious commitment to fund, giving your offer a strong competitive edge over unverified buyers.

Do loan limits apply to refinancing?

Yes, both purchase and refinance loans are subject to the exact same maximum borrowing caps.

Can loan limits change annually?

Yes, government authorities review and update county borrowing caps every fall to align with shifting market values.

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