If you’re planning to buy a home in 2026 and need a mortgage, it’s important to know the new conventional loan limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA).
These limits determine the maximum amount you can borrow with a mortgage that’s backed by the government.
2026 Loan Limits
For most places in the U.S., the highest amount you can get with a conventional loan in 2026 is $832,750.
However, in some more expensive housing markets, this maximum goes up to $1,249,125. These limits are reviewed and updated each year, based on the average home prices from the previous year.
Why These Limits Matter
The conforming loan limit is important because it’s the most the government will insure for a conventional mortgage.
This insurance makes lenders more willing to give out loans up to these limits, since they can sell the loan to government-sponsored companies like Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac if needed.
Most standard mortgages—including conventional, FHA, USDA, and VA loans—follow these limits.
What If You Need a Bigger Loan?
If you need to borrow more than the stated limits, you’ll need what’s called a jumbo loan. These loans are “non-conforming,” which means the government won’t back them.
Because of this, lenders see jumbo loans as riskier, so they usually have stricter requirements and higher interest rates.
For example, to qualify for a conventional loan, you typically need a credit score of at least 620. For a jumbo loan, the minimum is usually 650 to 680.
Choosing a Lender
If you’re considering a jumbo loan, there are several well-reviewed lenders.
Rocket Mortgage, for example, is known for customer satisfaction and offers many types of home loans, including conventional, FHA, VA, and jumbo loans. Rocket Mortgage generally has flexible terms and various fixed-rate options.
- Credit Needed: 620+ for conventional; 650-680+ for jumbo
- Minimum Down Payment: 0% for VA, 1% for some special programs, 3% for conventional, 3.5% for FHA, and 10-15% for jumbo loans
Rocket Mortgage is also praised for its online tools and customer service.
Find Your County’s Limit
You can see the exact limit for your county by checking the FHFA map or using an online search tool.
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