High-balance conforming loans are standard Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac products in designated high-cost counties where the standard conforming limit is insufficient. The 2026 standard conforming limit is $806,500 for a single-unit property. High-balance limits in high-cost areas can reach 150% of that baseline, or up to $1,209,750, in the highest-cost markets.
How FHFA Sets High-Balance Limits
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) designates high-cost areas based on median home values. A county qualifies for a high-balance limit when its median home value exceeds 115% of the national conforming baseline. The high-balance limit for that county is set at the lesser of: 150% of the baseline conforming limit or the area's actual median home value. FHFA announces new limits annually in late November, effective January 1. The 2026 limits were announced in November 2025.
Key High-Balance Markets in 2026
- ✦Los Angeles County, CA: $1,209,750 single-unit
- ✦San Francisco County, CA: $1,209,750 single-unit
- ✦New York City (Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond counties): $1,209,750 single-unit
- ✦Fairfield County, CT: $1,209,750 single-unit
- ✦Most of Northern Virginia and DC suburban Maryland: $1,209,750 single-unit
- ✦King County, WA (Seattle area): $977,500 single-unit
Pricing Difference: Conforming vs. High-Balance vs. Jumbo
High-balance loans carry a loan-level pricing adjustment (LLPA) above standard conforming. The LLPA for high-balance loans ranges from 0.25 to 0.75% of the loan amount depending on LTV and credit score, translating to roughly 0.125% to 0.25% in rate. Jumbo loans above the high-balance limit are not sold to Fannie or Freddie; pricing is set by the individual investor and is typically higher than high-balance for LTV above 75%, but can be competitive for low-LTV transactions at strong credit. For loan amounts between the standard conforming limit and the local high-balance limit, high-balance is almost always the better pricing option.
Aria can look up the high-balance limit for any county and calculate the pricing impact of conforming vs. high-balance vs. jumbo for a specific loan scenario. Ask at vicariointel.com.
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