2014 Predictions for the Seattle Real Estate and Mortgage Trends #SeattleREchat

In this year’s final episode of Seattle Real Estate Chat (we’re coming back in 2014!), Jim Reppond and I review 2013 and make a few prediction for 2014 regarding the real estate market and mortgages in the greater Seattle area.

We will resume our regular scheduling of Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am PST for Seattle Real Estate Chat on Tuesday, January 7, 2014.

Thank you for watching our show – I hope you’ll tune in next year. 🙂

2013 VA Loan Limits for homes in Washington State

VA has published the loan limits for 2013.  The loan limits listed below are not the maximum loan amounts that an eligible veteran may borrower; the loan amounts below are used to calculate the VA’s maximum guaranty amount in a specific county.  

King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties went up a little while San Juan County was adjusted slightly lower. VA loan limits are based on the county’s median home values as estimated by FHA (Federal Housing Adminstration).


King County: $500,000

Pierce County: $500,000

San Juan County: $468,750

Snohomish County: $500,000

All other counties remain at $417,000

This means that in King County, a qualified Veteran can finance a home with zero down with a sales price up to $500,000.   

Any sales price/loan amount above this amount is considered a “VA Jumbo”.  VA does not have a loan limit for VA jumbos, however most lenders have “overlays” limiting loan amounts for VA Jumbos.  VA Jumbos allow the Vet to buy a home with reduced down payment. A simple formula to estimate the minimum down payment required is sales price minus loan amount x 25% = minimum down payment.

For example, home in Seattle with a sales price of $600,000 would have a down payment requirement of $25,000 for an eligible veteran.  $600,000 sales price less the $500,000 loan limit = $100,000. $100,000 x 25% = $25,000.

If you’re considering a VA mortgage loan to buy or refinance a home located anywhere in Washington state, I’m honored to help you.

Related post on VA Funding Fees

2013 FHA Loan Limits for Washington State

HUD has confirmed that 2013 FHA loan limits will remain unchanged from 2012. 

King County, Snohomish County and Pierce County

  • 1 Unit: $567,500
  • 2 Unit: $726,500
  • 3 Unit: $878,150
  • 4 Unit: $1,091,351

Benton and Franklin Counties:

  • 1 Unit: $275,000
  • 2 Unit: $352,050
  • 3 Unit: $525,550
  • 4 Unit: $528,850

Chelan and Douglas Counties:

  • 1 Unit: $342,700
  • 2 Unit: $438,700
  • 3 Unit: $530,300
  • 4 Unit: $659,050

Clallam County:

  • 1 Unit: $384,100
  • 2 Unit: $491,700
  • 3 Unit: $594,350
  • 4 Unit: $738,650

Clark and Skamania Counties:

  • 1 Unit: $418,750
  • 2 Unit: $536,050
  • 3 Unit: $648,000
  • 4 Unit: $805,300

Island County:

  • 1 Unit: $381,250
  • 2 Unit: $488,050
  • 3 Unit: $589,950
  • 4 Unit: $733,150

Jefferson County:

  • 1 Unit: $437,500
  • 2 Unit: $560,050
  • 3 Unit: $677,000
  • 4 Unit: $841,350

Kitsap County:

  • 1 Unit: $475,000
  • 2 Unit: $608,100
  • 3 Unit: $735,050
  • 4 Unit: $913,450

Kittitas County:

  • 1 Unit: $328,750
  • 2 Unit: $420,850
  • 3 Unit: $508,700
  • 4 Unit: $632,200

Mason County:

  • 1 Unit: $310,000
  • 2 Unit: $396,850
  • 3 Unit: $497,700
  • 4 Unit: $596,150

San Juan County:

  • 1 Unit: $593,750
  • 2 Unit: $760,100
  • 3 Unit: $918,800
  • 4 Unit: $1,141,850

Skagit County:

  • 1 Unit: $373,750
  • 2 Unit: $478,450
  • 3 Unit: $578,350
  • 4 Unit: $718,750

Thurston County:

  • 1 Unit: $361,250
  • 2 Unit: $462,450
  • 3 Unit: $559,000
  • 4 Unit: $694,700

Whatcom County:

  • 1 Unit: $375,000
  • 2 Unit: $480,050
  • 3 Unit: $580,300
  • 4 Unit: $721,150

Adams, Asotin, Cowlitz, Ferry, Garfield, Grant, Grays Harbor, Lewis, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Whakiakum, Walla Walla, Whitman and Yakima Counties:

  • 1 Unit: $271,051
  • 2 Unit: $347,009
  • 3 Unit: $419,425
  • 4 Unit: $521,250

Related post: 2013 Conforming Loan Limits for Washington State

2013 Conforming Loan Limits for Washington State Mortgages

The Federal Housing Financing Agency (FHFA) who oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, confirmed that conforming limits for 2013 will be unchanged from 2012. This means that a single family 1-unit residence in the greater Seattle area has a conforming loan limit of $506,000. Loan amounts above conforming limits are considered “jumbo” or non-conforming.

Four counties in Washington continue to have “high balance” loan limits above the “general” loan limits:

King County, Snohomish County and Pierce County:

1 Unit: $506,000
2 Unit: $647,750
3 Unit: $783,000
4 Unit: $973,100

San Juan County:

1 Unit: $483,000
2 Unit: $618,300
3 Unit: $747,400
4 Unit: $928,850

The remaining Washington counties have “general” loan limits:

Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Columbia, Cowlitz, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, Kitsap, Kittatas, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Skagit, Skamania, Spokane, Stevens, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whatcom, Whitman and Yakima Counties:

1 Unit: $417,000
2 Unit: $533,850
3 Unit: $645,300
4 Unit: $801,950