VA Home Loan Program Loan Limits
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- Technically speaking, the VA does not impose a maximum amount that an eligible veteran may borrow using a VA-guaranteed loan; however, loan limits establish the maximum possible amount of a mortgage that the VA guarantees which serves to limit the mortgage size a borrower can obtain through the VA program
- The maximum mortgage guaranty amount (available for loans over $144,000) is 25% of the 2012 VA mortgage limit shown below
- A veteran with full entitlement available may borrow up to the mortgage limit shown below and the VA will guarantee 25% of the loan amount
- If the borrower contributes a down payment, a lender may be willing to lend a loan amount that exceeds the VA loan limit as long as the borrower qualifies for the mortgage based on their income, debt and credit score
- If the mortgage amount exceeds the VA loan limit, lenders typically require borrowers to pay a down payment equal to 25% of the amount by which the mortgage exceeds the loan limit. For example, if the VA loan limit is $417,000 and the borrower wants a $517,000 mortgage then the borrower would be required to make a $25,000 down payment ($25,000 = 25% * $100,000 (amount by which the mortgage exceeds the loan limit in this example))
- The VA loan limit varies by county, with a basic standard limit of $417,000 and higher limits in high cost areas up to a maximum mortgage amount of $938,250
- After reviewing the table below, use our VA Loan Limit Calculator to determine the VA loan limit in your county
Number of Units | Contiguous States, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico |
Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands | ||
Basic Standard | High Cost | General | High Cost | |
1 | $417,000 | $625,500 | $625,000 | $938,250 |