FHA loan limits back up
We reported yesterday that Bob Nielsen, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released a statement urging Congress to pass legislation to reinstate the higher loan limits for the Federal Housing Administration which expired on September 30, 2011 as a means of stabilizing the housing market.
Hours later, Congress reached a bipartisan agreement that would increase the maximum dollar amount of mortgage loans that can be insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) back to $729,750 after dropping the cap to $625,500 automatically after a temporary increase was issued for all loans insured by the FHA (and all government-sponsored enterprises). The restored higher limit will remain in place through 2013.
In response to the crumbling economy, Representatives Gary Miller and Brad Sherman (R-CA) successfully got a measure passed that created a conforming loan limit cap of $625,000 in areas with median home prices over $417,000 before it was initially increased to $729,750 which expired and has now been reinstated.
Why supporters approve this measure
Nielsen said, “The FHA program is fully self-supporting, and a great example of a public-private partnership with lending institutions. Restoring the loan limits will provide millions of potential consumers in markets throughout the nation access to safe, affordable mortgage financing.”
“Higher FHA loan limits are critical to supporting current housing prices and our overall economic recovery, and it doesn’t cost the federal government a dime,” said Representative Brad Sherman (D-CA). “This is the single most important provision in the minibus [appropriations] bill to prevent a collapse of housing prices in high-cost areas like Los Angeles. I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that these loan extensions become permanent.”
“To help mend the struggling housing market, stabilize home values, provide constancy while private investors re-enter the market and ensure that millions of creditworthy home borrowers can access the best possible mortgage rates, Congress must support this bill to help American families and get the lackluster economy moving forward,” said Nielsen.
