FHA home loans explained for first-time buyers
Chapter 4: the county sets the ceiling
The friendly answer
FHA sets a maximum loan amount for each county, higher in expensive areas and higher for two- to four-unit homes. HUD updates limits every year and publishes them in its loan limits lookup. Search by state and county, then read the column for the number of units you plan to buy.
Last reviewed against the primary sources listed below.
Looking up a limit
- Open the HUD loan limits lookup.
- Choose FHA forward, your state and county.
- Read the limit for one, two, three or four units.
- Check the year; limits change each January.
Above the limit
If the loan you need is larger than the limit, the extra must come from a larger down payment, or another loan type may fit better. Compare conventional loans too.
First-time buyers often ask
What is the FHA loan limit in my county?
HUD publishes current limits by county and number of units in its online loan limits lookup.
Are FHA loan limits different for multi-unit homes?
Yes. Limits are higher for two-, three- and four-unit homes than for a single-unit home.