VA Loan Limits by County 2026: How Much Can You Borrow?
Last updated 10/16/2025 by
Ante MazalinEdited by
Andrew LathamSummary:
VA loans no longer have standard loan limits for most eligible borrowers with full entitlement. However, if you have a remaining or partial entitlement, county limits based on conforming loan amounts still apply. Find out how VA loan limits and entitlement calculations work—and what to expect if your home costs more than your county’s cap.
VA loan limits determine how much you can borrow without a down payment when you don’t have full entitlement available. For most borrowers with full entitlement, there is no VA loan limit—you can buy a home at any price your lender approves. But for those with partial entitlement, county-based limits tied to conforming loan caps still matter.
Understanding how entitlement and county limits interact helps you plan your home purchase confidently and avoid surprises during underwriting.
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What Are VA Loan Limits?
A VA loan limit is the maximum amount the Department of Veterans Affairs will guarantee without requiring a down payment. These limits align with the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) conforming loan limits, which vary by county and housing costs.
Borrowers with full entitlement (most first-time VA buyers or those who’ve sold a previous VA-financed home) have no loan limit—the VA guarantees up to 25% of any approved loan amount.
Good to know: Loan limits only apply if you still have part of your entitlement tied up in another VA loan or if you’ve defaulted on one in the past.
How VA Loan Entitlement Works
Your VA entitlement is the amount the VA will guarantee on your behalf. There are two main types:
- Basic entitlement: $36,000 for loans up to $144,000.
- Bonus entitlement: Covers 25% of the county limit for loans above $144,000.
If you’ve never used your VA loan benefit, you likely have full entitlement, meaning there’s no maximum loan limit for 2026. If you have a remaining loan, your available entitlement is reduced, and limits apply.
Sample VA Loan Limits by County (2026)
Below are sample county limits based on the FHFA’s conforming loan limits. These figures apply to borrowers with partial entitlement.
| County | State | VA Loan Limit (1-Unit Property) |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles County | CA | $1,149,825 |
| King County | WA | $977,500 |
| Denver County | CO | $816,500 |
| Dallas County | TX | $766,550 |
| Maricopa County | AZ | $766,550 |
| Low-Cost County (most rural areas) | — | $766,550 |
When VA Loan Limits Apply
Loan limits apply if any of the following are true:
- You still have a VA loan on another property.
- You’ve had a prior VA foreclosure or short sale that reduced entitlement.
- You refinanced using a VA loan and have not yet restored full entitlement.
If your new home price exceeds your remaining entitlement limit, you can still buy—it just requires a small down payment to cover the uncovered portion.
Smart Move: Ask your lender to calculate your remaining entitlement early in the process. This prevents surprises when you make an offer on a higher-priced home.
How to Calculate Your Maximum VA Loan
If you have partial entitlement, here’s the general formula lenders use:
(County loan limit × 25%) − Entitlement already used = Maximum VA guarantee.
Then, multiply the result by four to estimate your potential loan amount without a down payment. Any amount above that typically requires a down payment of 25% of the difference.
VA Loan Limits vs. Conforming Limits
VA limits track the FHFA conforming loan limits for each county. That means high-cost areas like California, Washington, and New York have higher thresholds, while most rural counties follow the baseline limit.
| Type of Area | Typical Limit (2024 Baseline) | Example Counties |
|---|---|---|
| Standard / Low-Cost | $766,550 | Maricopa (AZ), Harris (TX), Franklin (OH) |
| High-Cost | $1,149,825 | Los Angeles (CA), Fairfax (VA), Honolulu (HI) |
Pros and Cons of VA Loan Limits
Our Verdict
Most VA borrowers won’t need to worry about loan limits in 2026, but understanding how entitlement works is key if you’ve used your benefit before. Check your county’s conforming limit, calculate remaining entitlement, and ask your lender to verify your maximum loan amount early in the process.
Key Takeaways
- No loan limits apply for full entitlement borrowers.
- Partial entitlement borrowers follow county-based limits tied to FHFA caps.
- High-cost counties allow loans exceeding $1 million with no down payment (if fully entitled).
- Always verify entitlement with your lender before making an offer.
What’s Next
Compare offers from lenders experienced in VA loans and confirm your eligibility and exemption status.
SuperMoney makes it easy to compare multiple VA loan offers side-by-side. Check rates, funding fee exemptions, and closing timelines—without affecting your credit score.
Related VA Loan Articles
- VA Loan Eligibility Requirements – Understand credit, income, and service standards.
- How to Apply for a VA Loan – Step-by-step borrower guide from COE to closing.
- VA Loan Down Payment – Learn when $0 down applies and exceptions.
- VA Loan Closing Costs – Who pays what and how to reduce expenses.
- Best VA Loan Lenders – Compare top lenders experienced in VA loans.
FAQs
Does VA have a loan limit?
No, VA loan limits do not apply if you have full entitlement available. Limits only matter for borrowers with partial entitlement from an active or prior VA loan.
What is the highest VA loan you can get?
There’s no maximum VA loan amount for fully entitled borrowers. Lenders approve based on income, credit, and residual income, not a fixed cap.
How much VA loan can I take?
With full entitlement, you can borrow any amount your lender approves. If you have partial entitlement, limits vary by county—from about $766,550 in most areas to over $1.1 million in high-cost counties.
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