In March 2008, HUD temporarily raised FHA loan limits around the country. Effective January 1, 2009, FHA loan limits revert. FHA home loans are mortgages made by private lenders and insured by the federal government.
Historically, FHA home loans have been "easier" for which to qualify than their conforming mortgage counterparts and, therefore, tend to be associated with borrowers of tarnished credit quality.
Today, that's the not the case.
The FHA home loan underwriting process can be as tough -- or tougher -- than a conforming mortgage underwrite. There is extra documentation required and the home appraisal process is often more thorough.
Where FHA home loans shine is in their limited downpayment requirements.
To purchase a home with a FHA-insured mortgage requires a 3 percent downpayment as of today; in January, it moves to 3.5 percent. Versus the typical conforming mortgage requirement of 5 percent or more, FHA serves as somewhat of a home affordability product for Americans. In addition, FHA allows larger "cash out" refinances than Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.
The 2009 FHA loan limits (in most areas of the country) are:
- 1-unit : $271,050
- 2-unit : $347,000
- 3-unit : $419,400
- 4-unit : $521,250
Note that the loan limits don't apply to all areas of the country equally. Higher-cost regions feature higher loan limits, based on typical home values. Homes in Los Angeles County, for example, can be FHA-insured up to $625,500 in 2009, and there are exceptions made for Alaska and Hawaii.
The official FHA announcement published all of the counties with access to higher loan limits, spread across two spreadsheets. The first spreadsheet lists each county at the $625,500 maximum; the second list is everyone else.
If your home county is on neither list, use the "base" numbers above.
