VA Loan Limits for High-Cost Counties: Updated for 2018

The VA loan guaranty program does not impose a maximum amount that an eligible veteran may borrow using a VA loan but limits the VA’s liability by capping the guaranty amount to $453,100 in 2018 for most loans. This limit affects the amount a bank is willing to lend without requiring a down payment.

However, if you live in one of the “high-cost counties” listed below, follow the data on the chart to determine the VA's maximum guaranty amount for a particular county. Why are some counties' limits higher than others? Consider the quality of home you can purchase for $453,100 in, say, New York City versus a more rural area: the higher property costs in areas like NYC mean that, without higher VA loan limits, the benefit to our eligible service members would be limited to only the least desirable, risky, and dilapidated homes.

These limits apply to all loans closed January 1, 2018 and afterwards.

Still doing your research? Whether you are in a high-cost county or not, discuss your VA loan benefits, down payment options, and loan limits, plus get no obligation rate quotes to help you plan your family’s future.

Notes from the VA on High-Cost Counties

Lenders may make loans to veterans greater than the maximum county loan limit; however, lenders may require Veterans to make a down payment for the amount borrowed in excess of the applicable county loan limit. VA loan limits are based on county median home values reported by the Federal Housing Administration. These values are the basis for which VA calculates limits for their program.

For 2018, some limits increased, some stayed the same and a few decreased. The maximum guaranty amount for loans over $144,000 is 25 percent of the 2018 VA county loan limit shown below. Veterans with full entitlement available may borrow up to this limit and VA will guarantee 25 percent of the loan amount. If a Veteran has previously used entitlement that has not been restored, the maximum guaranty amount available to that Veteran must be reduced accordingly. Lenders should check their own investor requirements regarding guaranty amounts and down payments.

Questions about VA loans in a particular county may be directed to the VA Regional Loan Center of jurisdiction. 

NOTE: For all counties not listed below, the limit is $453,100.

Regional loan center contact information is below this chart.

Regional Loan Center Info:

Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs VA Regional Loan Center 1240 East Ninth Street Cleveland, OH 44199 http://benefits.va.gov/cleveland/regional-loan-center.asp

Denver Department of Veterans Affairs VA Regional Loan Center 155 Van Gordon Street Lakewood, CO 80228 (Mail: Box 25126, Denver, CO 80225) http://www.benefits.va.gov/denver/regional-loan-center.asp

Honolulu Department of Veterans Affairs VA Regional Office Loan Guaranty Division (26) 459 Patterson Rd. Honolulu, HI 96819 *Although not an RLC, this office is a fully functioning Loan Guaranty operation for Hawaii. http://www.benefits.va.gov/honolulu/regional-loan-center.asp

Phoenix Department of Veterans Affairs VA Regional Loan Center 3333 N. Central Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85012-2402 http://www.benefits.va.gov/phoenix/regional-loan-center.asp

Roanoke Department of Veterans Affairs VA Regional Loan Center 210 First Street Roanoke, VA 24011 Mailing Address: 116 N. Jefferson Street Roanoke, VA 24016 http://www.benefits.va.gov/roanoke/regional-loan-center.asp

St. Paul Department of Veterans Affairs VA Regional Loan Center 1 Federal Drive, Ft. Snelling. St. Paul, MN 55111 (Mail: P.O. Box 1437, St. Petersburg, FL 33731) http://www.benefits.va.gov/stpaul/regional-loan-center.asp

St. Petersburg Department of Veterans Affairs VA Regional Loan Center 9500 Bay Pines Blvd. St. Petersburg, FL 33708 (Mail: P.O. Box 1437, St. Petersburg, FL 33731) http://www.benefits.va.gov/stpetersburg/regional-loan-center.asp