On this page, you’ll find the 2017 loan limits for Houston, Texas and the rest of Harris County. This table includes limits for FHA, VA and conventional loans, and has been fully updated for 2017. Note: It’s possible to obtain financing above these amounts, by using a jumbo loan.
Houston & Harris County Loan Limits for 2017
In 2017, conforming loan limits are the same for all Texas counties. The same goes for VA, since they are based on the conforming amounts. FHA loan limits, on the other hand, vary from one county to the next as shown on this page.
Here are the 2017 loan limits for Houston and Harris County, for all loan types:
| Loan Type | 1-Family | 2-Family | 3-Family | 4-Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conforming | $424,100 | $543,000 | $656,350 | $815,650 |
| FHA | $331,200 | $424,000 | $512,500 | $636,900 |
| VA | $424,100 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Notes: The multi-family columns for VA are marked “N/A” because those columns do not apply to VA loans. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs: “For purposes of determining the VA guaranty, lenders are instructed to reference only the One-Unit Limit column in the FHFA Table [used for conforming loans].” So only the 1-family column is applicable for that program.
Higher Home Prices Brought Higher Limits
Home prices in Houston and across Harris County, Texas have risen steadily over the last few years. In April 2017, when this update was published, the Houston Association of Realtors reported that the median sales price for single-family homes rose to $227,530 in March, an increase of 5.8% from the previous year.
This is partly why the FHA, VA and conventional loan limits for Houston and Harris County were increased for 2017. The conforming limits are established by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), and are based on median home prices nationally and also at the county level. So when house values rise significantly, loan limits are often lifted as well. This is what happened from 2016 to 2017.
Home-price appreciation in Houston and across the state of Texas appears to be slowing down, as of spring 2017. So we might not see an increase in loan limits for 2018. The 2017 caps might be carried over to 2018, unchanged. But it’s too soon to say. Changes for the next year are usually announced in November or December of the current year.
The FHA, VA and conforming loan limits for Houston and Harris County shown in the table above will remain in effect through the end of 2017. We will update our website at the end of the year, if and when any changes are announced.
Going Big With a ‘Jumbo’ Mortgage
It’s important for home buyers and mortgage shoppers to realize it’s possible to exceed these limits, if your financial qualifications allow it. Borrowers in Houston who need financing above the amounts shown above can apply for a jumbo mortgage loan. By definition, this is a loan that exceeds the limits for the county in which the home is located.
Just know that mortgage lenders often have stricter standards, and higher down payment requirements, for borrowers seeking a jumbo loan in Houston. But it is an option.
Disclaimer: This page includes limits for conforming, FHA and VA loans in Houston, Texas, and for Harris County as a whole. This data was obtained from official sources and presented here as a convenience to our readers. While me make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our website, there is always a chance for human error. Because of this, we recommend that you verify the loan limits shown above by using the appropriate government website.