Conforming Loan Limit

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are restricted by law to purchasing single-family mortgages with origination balances below a specific amount, known as the “conforming loan limit.” Loans above this limit are known as jumbo loans.

The national conforming loan limit for mortgages that finance single-family one-unit properties increased from $33,000 in the early 1970s to $417,000 for 2006-2008, with limits 50 percent higher for four statutorily-designated high cost areas: Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Since early 2008, a series of legislative acts have temporarily increased the one-unit limit to up to $729,750 in certain high-cost areas in the contiguous United States. Permanent limits, which apply to the Enterprises' acquisitions of certain mortgages originated prior to July 1, 2007, are set under the terms of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA).

For every county and county-equivalent in the country, maximum loan limits for mortgages originated in Fiscal Year 2011 (10/1/2010-9/30/2011) are equal to the maximum limits that were in effect for loans originated between 1/1/2010 and 9/30/2010.


Maximum Loan Limits for Loans Originated between 10/1/2010 and 9/30/2011 (Same as Limits for 1/1/10-9/30/10 Originations)

        Loan Limits for Loans Originated between 10/1/2010 and 9/30/2011 -- All Counties
        Loan Limits for Loans Originated between 10/1/2010 and 9/30/2011 -- High-Cost Areas

Maximum Loan Limits that Apply to Loans Acquired in Calendar Year 2011 and Originated after 9/30/2011 or Prior to 7/1/2007

        HERA-Based Loan Limits for Calendar Year 2011 -- All Counties

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Older (Previously Announced) Loan Limits

Maximum Loan Limits for 2010-Originated Mortgages (Same as Limits for 2009 Originations in all Areas; Set under PL111-88)

        Loan Limits for 2010 Mortgage Originations -- All Counties
        Loan Limits for 2010 Mortgage Originations -- High-Cost Areas

Maximum Loan Limits for Mortgages Originated in 2009 (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act-Limits)

        Loan Limits for 2009 Mortgage Originations -- All Counties
        Loan Limits for 2009 Mortgage Originations -- High-Cost Areas