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My name is Michael DiMella, and I am Managing Partner of Charlesgate Realty Group in Boston's Back Bay.  In this blog, I hope to give you an insider's take on the Boston real estate market, all the facts, rumors, helpful advice, and anything relevant to real estate in Boston.  Hopefully you will be informed and entertained.

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2009 Fannie and Freddie conforming loan limits for Boston increased in stimulus bill

 

UPDATE (NOV. 5, 2009): The new, higher Fannie and Freddie conforming loan limits have now been extended through 2010 by Congress (more info on that here).  Congress also updated and extended the $8000 tax credit for home buyers today.

 

NOTICE: If you're visiting this post for the first time, please read all the way to the comments at the bottom for the latest updates.

***UPDATE (APRIL 28, 2009): 2009 Freddie and Fannie conforming loan limits FINALLY able to be used****

I actually missed this being part of the discussion in the stimulus package, but it's certainly welcome news for high cost areas like us here in Boston.  I previously wrote about the 2009 Freddie and Fannie conforming loan limits for Boston being lowered this year, but now it looks like they are being bumped back up. 

In the stimulus bill, the conforming loan limits are being raised to $523,750 for the Boston area.  Currently the limit is $465,750, which means any loan above that amount is subject to jumbo loan rates which can be 1-2% higher rates in many cases.  Bumping the limit allows borrowers to obtain lower rates for any loan amount below $523,750, a more reasonable limit for areas with high prices like we have in the Boston real estate market.

UPDATE (MAR 1, 2009): Here is a chart of the new limits by county in Eastern Massachusetts.

Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH  (Metro Area)  Component Counties (MA): Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk

1 Unit: $523,750

2 Unit: $670,500

3 Unit: $810,450

4 Unit: $1,007,200

Providence-New Bedford-F. River, RI-MA  (Metro Area)  Component Counties (MA): Bristol

1 Unit: $475,000

2 Unit: $608,100

3 Unit: $735,050

4 Unit: $913,450

Duke's County

1 Unit: $729,750

2 Unit: $934,200

3 Unit: $1,129,250

4 Unit: $1,403,400

Nantucket County

1 Unit: $729,750

2 Unit: $934,200

3 Unit: $1,129,250

4 Unit: $1,403,400

Please comment below or contact me for more info on this post.

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P.S.  My "retrospective" report on the Boston condo market since 2000 is nearly complete.  Full charts, graphs, and analysis to show you exactly where the Boston real estate market is today (broken down by neighborhood), what has happened over the past 8-9 years, and where we may be headed in the next 3-5 years.  Make sure to subscribe or check back in so you don't miss it!




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Comments

Any updates on possible increase in conforming loan limits? Is this official?
Posted @ Thursday, February 19, 2009 10:48 AM by Matt
Matt, the increase in the conforming loan limits is official (as part of the stimulus bill) and will last until the end of 2009.
Posted @ Thursday, February 19, 2009 2:46 PM by Michael DiMella
I'm shopping around for a 523K loan, and am finding they are substaintially higher than the conforming 417K. Is the new limit in effect? What banks are offering them without paying an additional .5%.
Posted @ Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:12 PM by Laura DeLuca
Laura - there is typically still a premium in the rate for a loan that is above $417K but below the jumbo limit in high cost areas - and that is what you are experiencing i believe. The rates for those "middle" loans are lower than jumbo loan rates but slightly higher than "true" conforming loans (unfortunately). I am not aware of a bank that prices them the same as conforming, although i suppose there could be...
Posted @ Thursday, February 26, 2009 6:20 PM by Michael DiMella
I thought the new conforming loan limit is $729,750. ???  
 
 
 
I know it varies per county, but when exactly is this available?
Posted @ Sunday, March 01, 2009 10:01 AM by MGB
Yes, the conforming loan limit does vary by county. The maximum conforming loan limit is $729,750 (but that only exists in the most expensive counties in the country). In the Boston area, the conforming limit is $523,750 (that includes Suffolk, Middlesex, and Norfolk counties). I am going to update this post shortly with all the county limits in Massachusetts.
Posted @ Sunday, March 01, 2009 11:25 AM by Michael DiMella
I understand that there is still some "red tape" to be worked out, before these new conforming rates go into effect. Any idea when they will be available to the consumer?
Posted @ Sunday, March 01, 2009 11:50 AM by MGB
The new limits went into effect when the stimulus package was passed, but it can take a little bit of time before the banks adjust their guidelines and it works its way through the system, but I believe most banks are able to use the new limits as of now for consumers.
Posted @ Sunday, March 01, 2009 12:07 PM by Michael DiMella
I refinianced my house in January at $421k in Norfolk county and had to go through a Jumbo FHA loan. With these new regulations will I be able to streamline this into a traditional FHA loan with lower interest rates? 
 
Thank you
Posted @ Thursday, March 05, 2009 7:56 AM by Ben
Ben - you may be able to do that. But I am not sure with your specific situation since I don't have all the details. I suggest contacting your mortgage banker and see what options you have. If you need a recommendation for one, just let me know.
Posted @ Thursday, March 05, 2009 8:08 AM by Michael DiMella
Mike: 
 
Thanks for the quick reply. The only problem I am having is I have not seen any banks that have changed their guidlines to mirror the new stimulas allowance. Also, Great blog!!
Posted @ Saturday, March 07, 2009 8:36 AM by Rich
Thank you Rich! I am glad you like it! As for the limits - it does seem like there has been a delay in banks getting official guidelines from Fannie and Freddie on the new limits, but they should be in effect shortly (so I am told!). With everything going on in the markets these days, nothing is simple - hopefully we will see the new limits in use soon...
Posted @ Saturday, March 07, 2009 10:34 AM by Michael DiMella
I have been hearing that the banks should be able to offer these new rates to the consumer, most likely in just a few days... then again, I heard that last week & the week before!
Posted @ Saturday, March 07, 2009 11:02 AM by Marty
Any information on Worester county maximum conforming loan amount? I am looking for a mortgage and being told that 10% isn't enough and the maximum conforming loan amount is $417,000.
Posted @ Wednesday, March 11, 2009 6:24 AM by Tony
Tony - I believe $437,500 is the limit in Worcester. The down payment requirement will depend on your specific situation, type of property, etc. Here is an excel file with all the latest conforming limit info for each county nationwide (just copy and paste it into the browser address bar):  
 
http://www.ofheo.gov/media/cll/FullCountyLoanLimitList2009_ARRA.xls 
 
Posted @ Wednesday, March 11, 2009 8:38 AM by Michael DiMella
Is there any realiable word on when the 523,750 loans will finally be available to consumers? Wells Fargo is still not offering these.
Posted @ Thursday, April 02, 2009 10:03 AM by John
I believe lenders will make the new limits available May 1st, per this new release...  
 
 
 
https://www.efanniemae.com/sf/guides/ssg/annltrs/pdf/2009/0908.pdf
Posted @ Thursday, April 02, 2009 10:19 AM by MGB
Michael 
In that announcement the limits for high cost areas are higher than 523K. What gives? Did it the conforming limit change again? 
Thanks!
Posted @ Saturday, April 04, 2009 7:30 AM by Gary
Gary, the conforming loan limits vary by county throughout the United States. The limits have not changed again, but there are areas that do indeed have higher limits (up to a maximum of $729,750). It's all based on county median prices, but in the Boston area (Suffolk, Middlesex, and Norfolk counties) the limit is $523,750. The limit in Nantucket County, for example, is $729,750 because the median price is higher in that county.
Posted @ Saturday, April 04, 2009 8:59 AM by Michael DiMella
John - There is not yet a reliable date that I know of for when these limits will actually be available to consumers. It is frustrating the agencies haven't been able to push official guidelines to banks yet, but I keep hearing "soon". I will have an updated post as soon as I have official word, so if you haven't subscribed to my updates, you can do so here: http://blog.charlesgaterealty.com/subscribe
Posted @ Saturday, April 04, 2009 9:09 AM by Michael DiMella
Waiting & waiting for good information on when higher value in Nantucket County will become effective. Any way you can keep me posted?
Posted @ Tuesday, April 07, 2009 1:54 PM by Cindy
Hi Cindy - yes I sure can! You can subscribe by email to any updates I post (which I will as soon as news is available) on this page: http://blog.charlesgaterealty.com/subscribe (just copy and paste that address into your web browser bar).
Posted @ Tuesday, April 07, 2009 4:51 PM by Michael DiMella
Hi Mike, 
 
 
 
Great and very informative blog. Thanks for keeping us all updated. Since the last blog response was back in April, I thought I would ask what you are hearing. I purchased a home in Foxboro (Norfolk County) last year and am hoping I can refi soon...any idea if May 1 or June 1 will be the magic day?
Posted @ Sunday, April 26, 2009 9:18 AM by Anthony Marchi
Thanks for the comments Anthony! I am glad you're finding the blog helpful. Unfortunately I don't have a definitive answer on this yet. I guess the good news for you is that conforming rates (and jumbo rates too, finally) continue to fall, so waiting for this conforming limit nonsense to be worked out may end up saving you some money in the long run. I will definitely have an update as soon as I get any definitive news...hopefully soon!
Posted @ Sunday, April 26, 2009 4:30 PM by Michael DiMella
**UPDATE** 4/28/09 New higher loan limits FINALLY in place (as of yesterday) and can be used for loans.
Posted @ Tuesday, April 28, 2009 5:55 PM by Michael DiMella
My last comment got cut short, but I have confirmation of Wells Fargo being able to use the new limits and I am checking on others. I suspect they will all follow suit shortly though.
Posted @ Tuesday, April 28, 2009 6:04 PM by Michael DiMella
Quick Update: The new, higher Fannie and Freddie conforming loan limits have now been extended through 2010 by Congress as of last week. Today, congress also updated and extended the $8000 tax credit for home buyers.
Posted @ Thursday, November 05, 2009 5:15 PM by Michael DiMella
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