Conforming Loan
A conventional mortgage within the FHFA loan limit, so Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac can buy it.
What does conforming loan mean?
Because the agencies can purchase conforming loans, lenders offer them at lower rates than jumbo loans. For 2026 the baseline limit is $832,750 for a one-unit home, rising to $1,249,125 in high-cost areas. A loan above the limit is a jumbo loan.
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Related terms
Conforming Loan — frequently asked
What is the conforming loan limit?
It is the maximum loan the FHFA lets Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac buy, reset yearly. The 2026 baseline is $832,750 in most of the country, with higher ceilings in expensive markets. Loans above it are “jumbo.”
What is the difference between a conforming and a conventional loan?
All conforming loans are conventional (not government-backed), but not all conventional loans are conforming — a conventional loan above the FHFA limit is a jumbo. “Conforming” specifically means it fits Fannie and Freddie’s size and rules.