Breaking News: 2022 Conforming Loan Limits

The FHFA has announced the conforming loan limits for 2022. The conforming loan limit for a one-unit property will be $647,200. This is an increase of $98,950 from the 2021 loan limits. Homes located in counties designated as “High Balance”, such as King County, Pierce County and Snohomish County, will have higher loan limits.

Here is a complete list of the 2022 Conforming Loan Limits for homes located in Washington state. [Read more…]

Big Expensive Changes for Second Homes and Investment Properties

Last night, Fannie Mae announced they are essentially going to be limiting how many second homes and investment properties they will provide mortgages for. This is largely due to the additional risk associated with second homes and investment properties. This goes into effect with loans delivered to Fannie Mae on April 1, 2021 – which pretty much means “immediately” as mortgage loans are delivered to Fannie Mae (or Freddie Mac) after they close…sometimes weeks after they close with the originating mortgage company. [Read more…]

2021 Conforming Loan Limits for Washington

Conforming loan limits are increasing again this year with the “base” loan limit for a single family home raised to $548,250.

Conforming high balance areas for King, Snohomish and Pierce counties have have higher limits for 2021 as well.

King County, Snohomish County and Pierce County:

  • One Unit: $776,250
  • Two Unit: $993,750
  • Three Unit: $1,201,200
  • Four Unit: $1,492,800

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, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Spokane, Stevens, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whatcom, Whitman and Yakima Counties:

  • One Unit: $548,250
  • Two Unit: $702,000
  • Three Unit: $848,500
  • Four Unit: $1,054,500

I have been helping people refinance and buy homes in Washington state since 2000 at Mortgage Master Service Corporation. If I can help you with your mortgage needs, please contact me.

Breaking News: 2021 Conforming Loan Limits Increased to $548,250

The Federal Housing Finance Agency has just announced the 2021 conforming loan limits for a single family dwelling will increase to $548,250. This is a jump higher from 2020’s limit of $510,400.

This amount is considered the base loan limit. Homes located in designated high cost areas, like King County, Pierce County and Snohomish County, will have a “high balance” conforming loan limit of $776,250.

Click here for a complete list of Washington state counties and their 2021 conforming loan limits.

I will let you know when FHA and VA announce 2021 loan limits.

FHFA delays Refi Tax until December 1, 2020

The Federal Housing Finance Agency that oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (conventional lenders), has announced they are delaying the “adverse market fee” until December 1, 2020.

There was significant balking across the mortgage industry when the FHFA announced the fee back on the evening of August 12th which effectively went into effect immediately on new refi’s (since it’s based on when loans are delivered to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac). This was essentially a 0.5% tax on mortgage lenders existing pipelines – some loans in the pipeline were not able to have the 0.5% hit factored into the pricing of the interest rate. [Read more…]

Federal Housing Finance Agency issues half-point fee on conventional refinances

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (regulated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency) announced they are adding an “Adverse Market Refinance Fee” of 50 basis points that is effective on refinance mortgages delivered to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac starting September 1, 2020.  This is a huge hit to mortgage lenders across the country. [Read more…]

Forbearance Guidelines Updated for Conventional Financing

This week Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac updated guidelines for how soon home owners can obtain a new mortgage if they have entered into a forbearance agreement with their current lender. Most of the focus with this program is that it’s not suppose to impact their credit score. Although the credit score may not be impacted, the credit report reflects that payments were not made on the mortgage. It seems that many home owners are not aware that taking advantage of not having to make mortgage payments will impact their ability to get a new mortgage for refinancing or buying a new home [Read more…]

Changes to Limited-Cash Out Refinances

A limited-cash out refinance is a refinance where typically, the home owner receives little to no-cash back at closing. It’s also referred to as a “rate-term” refinance. A limited cash-out or rate-term refinance offers better interest rates and/or pricing for interest rates than a true “cash out” refinance. [Read more…]