Washington Report

Advocacy Updates from Washington D.C.

FHA Announces 2019 Loan Limits

On Dec. 14, 2018, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) released its 2019 Loan Limits, effective January 1, 2019. FHA's loan limits are tied to the loan limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency for conventional mortgages. In high-cost areas the FHA national loan limit "ceiling" will increase to $726,525 from $679,650. FHA will also increase its "floor" to $314,827 from $294,515. Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the Virgin Islands have a special exception ceiling of $1,089,787 to account for higher costs of construction. Loan limits increased in 3,053 counties and remain unchanged in 181 counties. No jurisdictions faced a decrease in loan limits. Increases in median house prices across the country accounted for the increase in loan limits for 2019.

Any community that wishes to contest its loan limit must submit an appeal to FHA's Santa Ana Homeownership Center no later than January 14, 2019.

Additionally, the maximum claim amount for FHA-insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) will increase to $726,525 from $679,650.

FHA Announcement on 2019 Loan Limits

Mortgagee Letter 2018-11 Forward Limits

Mortgagee Letter 2018-12 HECM Limits

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