FHFA Boosts Conforming Loan Limits for 2022

Housing Finance
Published
Contact: Curtis Milton
[email protected]
Director, Single Family Finance
(202) 266-8597

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today announced that the maximum baseline conforming loan limits for mortgages acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in 2022 will rise to $647,200 — an increase of $98,950 from $548,250 in 2021.

The conforming loan limits are required by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA) to reflect the percentage change in the average U.S. home price during the most recent 12-month or 4-quarter period ending before the time of determining the annual adjustment.

In 2022, the conforming loan limit will rise 18.05% because FHFA has determined that the average U.S. home value increased by that amount between the third quarters of 2020 and 2021.

Higher loan limits will be in effect in higher-cost areas as well. The new ceiling loan limit in high-cost markets will be $970,800. The previous ceiling was $822,375.

“These increases are an important step to ensure that government-backed mortgages keep pace with the sharp rise in home prices over the past year,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “Supply-side challenges — including building material bottlenecks and lot and labor shortages — will continue to place upward pressure on construction costs and home prices in 2022.”

A list of the 2022 maximum conforming loan limits for all counties and county-equivalent areas in the country may be found under resources.

In its news release, FHFA said that due to rising home values, the ceiling loan limits will be higher in all but four U.S. counties or county equivalents in 2022.

For additional information, contact Curtis Milton at 800-368-5242 x8597.

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Economics

Feb 13, 2026

Existing Home Sales in January Plunged to Lowest Level Since 2024

Existing home sales in January fell to lowest level since August 2024 as tight inventory continued to push home prices higher and winter weather weighed on sales activity.

Economics

Feb 12, 2026

The Biggest Challenges Expected by Home Builders in 2026

According to the latest NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, 84% of home builders felt the most significant challenge builders faced in 2025 was high interest rates and 65% anticipate interest rates will remain a problem in 2026.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Feb 13, 2026

Inflation Eased in January

Inflation eased to an eight-month low in January, confirming a continued downward trend. Though most Consumer Price Index (CPI) components have resolved shutdown-related distortions from last fall, the shelter index will remain affected through April due to the imputation method used for housing costs. The shelter index is likely to show larger increases in the coming months.

Economics

Feb 12, 2026

Existing Home Sales Retreat Amid Low Inventory

Existing home sales fell in January to a more than two-year low after December’s strong rebound, as tight inventory continued to push home prices higher and winter storms weighed on activity. Despite mortgage rates trending lower and wage growth outpacing price gains, limited resale supply kept many buyers on the sidelines.

Economics

Feb 12, 2026

Residential Building Worker Wages Slow in 2025 Amid Cooling Housing Activity

Wage growth for residential building workers moderated notably in 2025, reflecting a broader cooling in housing activity and construction labor demand. According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), both nominal and real wages remained modest during the fourth quarter, signaling a shift from the rapid post-pandemic expansion to a slower-growth phase.