Conforming Loan
Conventional loans may be conforming and non-conforming. Conforming loans have terms and conditions that follow the guidelines set forth by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac . These two stockholder-owned corporations purchase mortgage loans complying with the guidelines from mortgage lending institutions, packages the mortgages into securities and sell the securities to investors. By doing so, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, like Ginnie Mae, provide a continuous flow of affordable funds for home financing that results in the availability of mortgage credit for Americans.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines establish the maximum loan amount, borrower credit and income requirements, down payment, and suitable properties. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announce new loan limits every year. The 2005 conforming loan limits for first mortgages are:
Loan Limits for: |
2006 |
2005 |
2004* |
2003 |
2002 |
One-family |
$417,000 |
$359,650 |
$333,700 |
$322,700 |
$300,700 |
Two-family |
$533,850 |
$460,400 |
$427,150 |
$413,100 |
$384,900 |
Three-family |
$645,300 |
$556,500 |
$516,300 |
$499,300 |
$465,200 |
Four-family |
$801,950 |
$691,600 |
$641,650 |
$620,500 |
$578,150 |
Loan Limits for: |
2001 |
2000 |
1999 |
1998 |
|
One-family |
$275,000 |
$252,700 |
$240,000 |
$227,150 |
|
Two-family |
$351,950 |
$323,400 |
$307,100 |
$290,650 |
|
Three-family |
$425,400 |
$390,900 |
$371,200 |
$351,300 |
|
Four-family |
$528,700 |
$485,800 |
$461,350 |
$436,600 |
|
* The 1998 - 2004 loan amounts are provided for historical reference. |
