The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has announced the official 2026 conforming loan limits impacting veterans and active-duty service members planning to use their VA Home Loan benefits. Understanding these changes is crucial for maximizing your homebuying power.

Key Updates to VA Loan Limits in 2026

Standard Loan Limit Increase:

• The baseline conforming loan limit for one-unit properties has increased to $832,750, up from $806,500 in 2025.

High-Cost Area Adjustments:

• In high-cost counties, the ceiling loan limit for one-unit properties is now $1,249,125, up from $1,209,750 in 2025.

Full Entitlement Borrowers:

• Eligible veterans with full entitlement continue to have NO loan limits.

• This means you can borrow over $1 million with $0 down, as long as the lender approves the loan amount.

Partial Entitlement Borrowers:

• If you have remaining entitlement due to an active VA loan or prior use, the new 2026 loan limits apply.

• These limits determine the maximum loan amount you can obtain without a down payment.

• Planning to move to a new county while reusing your VA benefit? Our partner lender can calculate your bonus entitlement for a second VA loan. Contact us to find out your options!

Understanding Your VA Entitlement

Full Entitlement:

• Meet eligibility requirements

• No active VA loans or previous defaults

• No loan limits; borrowing capacity depends on lender approval

Partial Entitlement:

• Existing VA loan or prior default

• Subject to county-specific loan limits for zero-down financing

Want to know how much entitlement you have left?

• Obtain your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or contact our partner lender to calculate your remaining entitlement.

Calculating Loan Limits with Partial Entitlement

Your loan limits depend on your remaining entitlement and the county you are buying in. Contact our partner lender to calculate your VA loan limit accurately before making an offer.

In a nutshell

2026 VA Loan Limits – What You Need to Know:
✅ Full entitlement = NO loan cap – borrow over $1M with $0 down!
✅ Partial entitlement – loan limits apply, and you may need a down payment depending on how much entitlement you’ve already used.

The 2026 VA loan limit increases provide more opportunities for veterans and active-duty service members in today’s housing market. Whether you have full or partial entitlement, understanding these updates is vital for making informed decisions and maximizing your VA home loan benefits.

Important to know: You can have more than one active VA loan and reuse your entitlement multiple times. This is a common misconception—but understanding it can help you fully leverage your VA benefit.

Looking to BUY a home at your next duty station?

Get connected with The Bridge Real Estate Network Lender Partner