2026 Loan Limits Are Here — More Buying Power for Homebuyers!
It has happened again! The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has increased the conforming loan limits for 2026, giving many homebuyers and homeowners access to larger loan amounts while still staying within conventional financing guidelines.
Even if you aren’t planning to buy a home right now, these higher limits may still be important. They can create new opportunities to refinance, consolidate mortgages, or finance a higher-priced home without automatically moving into jumbo-loan territory.
The details:
- Conventional / Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac: The 2026 conforming loan limit for a one-unit property is now $832,750 in most counties, including Kern County. In high-cost areas such as Los Angeles County, the limit is $1,249,125. The national baseline increased 3.26% from 2025, reflecting the increase in average U.S. home prices measured by FHFA.
- FHA: For 2026, the FHA one-unit loan limit is $541,287 in Kern County and $1,249,125 in Los Angeles County. These limits apply to FHA case numbers assigned on or after January 1, 2026.
- VA: Veterans with full VA entitlement do not have a VA-imposed county loan limit. The borrower must still qualify for the requested loan amount and the property must support the value. For Veterans who have already used some of their entitlement and have not restored it, the FHFA county loan limits are used when determining remaining entitlement and how much may be financed without a down payment.
- USDA: USDA’s Guaranteed Rural Housing program does not have a set maximum purchase price. The loan amount is based on the borrower’s repayment ability, program eligibility and the property’s appraised value. Qualified borrowers may receive 100% financing on eligible properties.
What could the higher limits mean for you?
You may now be able to purchase a higher-priced home while still taking advantage of conventional or government-backed financing. A home that previously required jumbo financing may now fall within the conforming loan range, depending on the county.
Homeowners may also have additional opportunities to refinance an existing mortgage, combine a first and second mortgage into one loan, access equity, or restructure financing under today’s higher conforming limits. Qualification, available programs, interest rates and loan terms will depend on each borrower’s individual circumstances.
For those of us here in the Antelope Valley, the county line makes a considerable difference. Los Angeles County properties — including Palmdale and Lancaster — have a 2026 conventional one-unit limit of $1,249,125, while Kern County properties use the $832,750 baseline limit.
If you have questions about what the new 2026 loan limits could mean for you, your clients, or someone you know who is considering purchasing or refinancing a home, please reach out.
I’ll be honored to help.