The FHFA said that in areas where 115 percent of the local median home value exceeds the baseline conforming loan limit, the maximum loan limit will be $679,650 for one-unit properties, or 150 percent of $453,100. Special statutory provisions establish different loan limit calculations for Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with the baseline loan limit will be $679,650 for one-unit properties.
According to FHFA's seasonally adjusted, expanded-data Home Price Index, house prices increased 6.8 percent, on average, between the third quarters of 2016 and 2017. As a result, the baseline maximum conforming loan limit in 2018 was adjusted to increase by the same percentage. The maximum conforming loan limit will be higher in 2018 in all but 71 counties or county equivalents, the FHFA added.