2026 FHA Loan Limits: How High Can You Go in Your County?
FHA loan limits rose for 2026, with a floor of $541,287 and a ceiling of $1,249,125. Here's how to find your limit and why it matters.

The 2026 HUD one-unit FHA limit in Denver County is $862,500, so a HECM here supports a purchase price of roughly $893,782 with 3.5% down (about $31,282). Denver County sits at the Denver-Aurora-Centennial high-cost FHA limit, which is one of the highest in the country outside the coasts and keeps most of the city's inventory FHA-reachable.
A licensed loan officer reviews your scenario. Approval decisions are made by the lender.
In Denver County, the 2026 FHA one-unit limit of $862,500 sets the maximum HECM loan amount, and HUD's reference median value for the county is $750,000.
Last reviewed August 23, 2026 against current FHA (HUD 4000.1) guidelines.
Buyers pricing an FHA loan in Denver, Colorado and the rest of Denver County are shopping the same wholesale FHA market as the rest of the state, but the option that fits best still comes down to the individual file. There is no single FHA rate: pricing moves with your credit profile, loan size, loan-to-value, property type, term and how long you need the rate held. Price your scenario below to see the live FHA options available to us, with the provider's own APR, points or credit and payment for each. The options below are the same live wholesale FHA pricing referenced throughout this HECM local page.
No current pricing snapshot — we never show sample rate figures.
Sample scenario: Florida primary residence, 30-year fixed FHA. Pricing is refreshed once every business day and can change between refreshes.
Snapshot pricing is an example for the sample scenario described above. It is not a quote, an application, a pre-approval, a rate lock, an offer of credit or a commitment to lend, and it is not personalized to you.
APR is supplied by our pricing provider for the exact scenario priced. Other lender or third-party charges listed separately may not be reflected, and the final APR can change. Your final mortgage disclosures control.
A lender credit reduces eligible closing costs only. It cannot exceed those costs and is never cash back to the borrower.
The three cards above are examples from the latest daily snapshot. Enter your own purchase price, down payment, credit score and location to see every eligible FHA option for your scenario, priced right now.
FHA limits cap the loan amount, not the price. Here is the arithmetic on this county's own HUD limit.
Source: HUD CHUMS 2026 forward limit file. Figures are HUD maximums and illustrations — not a rate quote, an approval, or a commitment to lend.
Colorado homeowners who bought before the Front Range run-up frequently hold large amounts of equity against a modest income, which is the profile the HECM was designed for. The national HECM lending limit applies, so the Denver-area high-cost county limit is not the constraint.
Colorado's low effective property tax rate keeps the ongoing obligation smaller than in most states, which reduces how often a Life Expectancy Set-Aside is needed — but hail-driven insurance premiums have moved in the opposite direction and are now the larger recurring cost on many files.
In Denver County specifically: Denver County sits at the Denver-Aurora-Centennial high-cost FHA limit, which is one of the highest in the country outside the coasts and keeps most of the city's inventory FHA-reachable. With the county limit at $862,500 against a HUD reference median of $750,000, the limit sits above the typical Denver-area value, so most of the market is within FHA reach.
Condo project approval and older row-home conversions are the recurring eligibility questions in central Denver.
Colorado transfer / documentary tax: Documentary fee $0.01 per $100 of price (one of the lowest in the country).
Property tax and insurance figures are directional reference values derived from U.S. Census Bureau ACS and NAIC published data applied to the HUD median value for Denver County — not quotes. Your actual escrow depends on the parcel, exemptions and carrier.
The Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) offers first-mortgage programs with down payment assistance that can be layered with FHA financing, and Denver metro jurisdictions add their own assistance. Eligibility, funding availability and terms are set by the administering agency, not by us.
HUD's 2026 one-unit FHA limit for Denver County is $862,500, with $1,104,150 for a duplex, $1,334,700 for a triplex and $1,658,700 for a fourplex. The HECM program uses that same county limit.
At the $862,500 limit, 3.5% down supports a purchase price of roughly $893,782 with about $31,282 down. Upfront mortgage insurance of 1.75% ($15,094 at the limit) is normally financed on top of the base loan. These are illustrations, not a quote or an approval.
FHA sets 580 as the minimum score for 3.5% down and allows 500-579 with 10% down. FHA does not publish a different score requirement for Colorado — but lenders apply their own overlays, and a stronger score usually improves the rate you are offered.
Using Colorado's directional effective property tax rate of 0.45% and a typical annual homeowners premium near $4,000, escrow on a $750,000 home runs roughly $281 a month in taxes plus $333 in insurance — about $615 before mortgage insurance. Actual figures depend on the exact parcel, carrier and exemptions.
The Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) offers first-mortgage programs with down payment assistance that can be layered with FHA financing, and Denver metro jurisdictions add their own assistance. Eligibility, funding availability and terms are set by the administering agency, not by us. Assistance is layered behind the FHA first mortgage and does not change FHA's own underwriting requirements.
Yes. Simply Approved Mortgages LLC (NMLS #2620881) is licensed to arrange residential mortgage loans in Florida and Colorado, including Denver County, CO. We are a mortgage broker, not a direct lender, and all loans are subject to lender underwriting and approval.
Condo project approval and older row-home conversions are the recurring eligibility questions in central Denver — and on an HECM file that item is best raised inside the inspection period, because the appraiser's condition notes and the underwriter's clearance both have to be resolved before a closing date can hold.
Yes. Every FHA forward program, including the HECM, requires owner occupancy — you must occupy the home as your primary residence, generally within 60 days of closing. Second homes and rentals are not eligible.
Only if the project is on HUD's approved condominium list or the unit qualifies for single-unit approval. Colorado condo and attached-townhome projects vary, so check status before you write the offer. You can search the current list on HUD's condominium lookup.
A clean file commonly runs on a standard 30-45 day contract timeline. Appraisal scheduling, insurance binding and, for attached homes, condo documentation are the items that most often move the date.
Expect 30 days of pay stubs, two years of W-2s or full tax returns if self-employed, two months of bank statements for every account used, photo ID, and a written explanation for any employment gap. Self-employed borrowers are underwritten on net income after expenses, which is often lower than gross deposits.
County loan limits come from HUD's official CHUMS 2026 forward-limit file. Median values are the HUD dataset's reference figures, and the tax and insurance ranges are directional figures derived from Census ACS and NAIC published data. Nothing on this page is a rate quote, a loan offer, or a commitment to lend.
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Program rules and figures on this page are taken from the primary government sources below, not from third-party summaries.
Simply Approved Mortgages is not affiliated with or endorsed by HUD, FHA, or any government agency.
Complete the short form and we send back a full FHA breakdown: your county loan limit, the minimum FHA down payment, financed upfront MIP, monthly mortgage insurance, and an estimated payment — plus whether down payment assistance can cover your cash to close.
Takes about 3 minutes · No obligation · Summary emailed and shown on screen
Illustration only, generated from the information you enter. Not a Loan Estimate, pre-qualification, commitment to lend, or approval. Subject to appraisal, credit and income review, FHA guidelines, and final lender approval. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Sample figures for illustration only — not a quote, rate lock, offer of credit or commitment to lend. Simply Approved Mortgages · NMLS #2620881 · Equal Housing Opportunity
The trade-offs below are specific to this FHA program. Reviewed August 23, 2026 against HUD Handbook 4000.1 and the current HUD county loan limit file.
Program mechanics differ, but the down payment and MIP arithmetic below is the base every FHA file starts from.
| Purchase price | $425,000 |
|---|---|
| FHA down payment at 3.5% | $14,875 |
| Base loan amount | $410,125 |
| Upfront MIP at 1.75%, financed | $7,177 |
| Total FHA loan amount | $417,302 |
Illustration only — not a quote, rate lock, offer or commitment to lend. Subject to lender underwriting and approval.
This is the set an FHA underwriter typically asks for. Having it ready before you write an offer is the single biggest difference between a two-week and a six-week file.
The program you choose does not change how your income is documented — how you are paid does. FHA does not apply a different credit score, down payment or county limit to self-employed borrowers — it applies a different documentation standard.
| Item | W-2 employed | Self-employed |
|---|---|---|
| History required | Two-year employment history, with gaps explained. A job change inside the same field is usually fine. | Generally two years of self-employment. A shorter history can sometimes be considered when there is documented prior experience in the same line of work. |
| How income is calculated | Base pay from pay stubs and W-2s. Bonus, overtime and commission generally need a two-year history to be averaged in. | Net income from tax returns, averaged and adjusted for allowable add-backs such as depreciation. Write-offs that reduce taxable income also reduce qualifying income. |
| Documents that open the file | 30 days of pay stubs, two years of W-2s, and a verification of employment. | Two years of personal and business returns, year-to-date P&L and balance sheet, and evidence the business is still operating. |
| Verification at closing | The employer is re-verified shortly before closing; do not change jobs mid-process without telling your loan officer. | Continued existence of the business is re-verified close to closing, typically through a third-party or licensing check. |
| Most common delay | Unexplained gaps, a new job with variable pay, or a VOE the employer never returns. | A declining year over year, or a large deduction that removes the very income needed to qualify. |
| What we suggest | Get the VOE moving on day one — it is the item most often outstanding at the end. | Have your accountant produce the year-to-date P&L before you shop, so qualifying income is known before you write an offer. |
General FHA documentation guidance per HUD Handbook 4000.1, including Update 18 changes to written and electronic verification of employment. Requirements vary by borrower, property, lender and program, and all loans are subject to lender underwriting and approval. Sources: HUD Handbook 4000.1
Prefilled with the 2026 HUD reference median of $750,000 for Denver County, Colorado, a 0.45% effective property tax rate and a directional $4,000 annual homeowners premium. Change any input — the interest rate is your own assumption, not an offer.
FHA minimum is 3.5% at 580+ credit.
Your assumption — not a quoted rate.
Figures are illustrations based on the values you entered — not an offer, rate lock, or commitment to lend. Emailing your scenario sends it to a licensed loan officer in Florida or Colorado.
Estimates for general educational purposes only. Interest rates shown are assumptions you enter, not quoted rates, and nothing here is a rate lock, APR, payment quote, pre-approval, offer or commitment to lend. Results exclude HOA dues, flood or wind policies, mortgage insurance changes, points and lender-specific fees. FHA upfront MIP of 1.75% and annual MIP of 0.55% follow HUD Mortgagee Letter 2023-05 for a 30-year term at 3.5% down. Property tax and insurance inputs are directional state references, not a parcel-level bill. Eligibility, terms, conditions and availability vary by borrower, property, lender, loan program and state. All loans are subject to lender underwriting and approval. Equal Housing Opportunity. Sources: HUD Mortgagee Letter 2023-05 (MIP) · HUD Mortgagee Letter 2025-23 (2026 loan limits) · U.S. Census Bureau ACS · NAIC homeowners insurance · CFPB Closing Disclosure
Mortgage pricing moves the payment a little. Property tax and insurance move it a lot, and they are entirely local. These figures are built from the 2026 HUD county dataset for Denver County, Colorado and Colorado tax and settlement conventions, reviewed August 23, 2026.
| Cost | Estimate | How it works here |
|---|---|---|
| Property tax | $281 / mo | About 0.45% effective on $750,000 — roughly $3,375 a year. Millage is set locally, so verify the parcel's actual bill. |
| Homeowners insurance | $333 / mo | Directional $4,000 a year for a single-family owner policy in Colorado. Wind, hail and flood may be separate policies. |
| FHA annual mortgage insurance | $332 / mo | 0.55% of the $723,750 base loan at 3.5% down, 30-year term, per HUD Mortgagee Letter 2023-05. |
| FHA upfront MIP | $12,666 | 1.75% of the base loan, normally financed into the $736,416 total loan amount rather than paid in cash. |
| State transfer / documentary tax | CO | Documentary fee $0.01 per $100 of price (one of the lowest in the country). |
| Settlement convention | Title/escrow state | A title or escrow company customarily conducts the closing and issues the policy. |
Hail is the dominant claim type on the Front Range; roof age drives both premium and insurability.
Taxes and insurance are part of the qualifying payment, so a $614 escrow in Denver County consumes debt-to-income capacity before a single dollar of principal and interest is counted. Underwriting uses the post-closing figures, not the seller's current bill.
Estimates for general education only — not a quote, rate, APR, pre-approval, offer or commitment to lend. Property tax rates are effective rates derived from U.S. Census Bureau ACS data; actual millage is set by county, city, school and special districts. Insurance figures are directional annual premiums, not quotes. Transfer, deed, recordation and mortgage taxes summarise state-level statutes; counties and municipalities frequently add their own. Eligibility, terms, conditions and availability vary by borrower, property, lender, loan program and state, and all loans are subject to lender underwriting and approval. Sources: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS property tax data · NAIC Homeowners Insurance Report · CFPB — understanding closing costs
Dated changes from the official sources that actually govern an FHA file here, each one linked to the primary source it came from. Nothing below is a rate quote, an offer of credit, a prediction or advice about when to buy.
Reported by U.S. Census Bureau: Effective property tax in Colorado runs about 0.45% of owner-occupied value, and a directional single-family homeowners premium is around $4,000 a year.
What it means in Denver County (our analysis): In Denver County, Colorado, hail is the dominant claim type on the Front Range; roof age drives both premium and insurability. Colorado is customarily a title/escrow state, and documentary fee $0.01 per $100 of price (one of the lowest in the country). On this program page it matters because the program requirements above are applied to the local limit and local property costs shown here.
American Community Survey (ACS) housing cost tablesReported by Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA): The Colorado Housing and Finance Authority publishes the current terms of its homebuyer loans and down payment assistance options.
What it means in Denver County (our analysis): Denver County, Colorado buyers pair these seconds with an FHA first mortgage, so the assistance amount, lien position and repayment terms change the FHA qualifying picture here. Program terms are set by the agency and change without notice — confirm current terms on the agency page before relying on them. On this program page it matters because the program requirements above are applied to the local limit and local property costs shown here.
CHFA — homebuyer loan and down payment assistance programsReported by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: The update changed how lenders handle written and electronic verification of employment, restructured Federal Home Loan Bank set-aside treatment for down payment assistance, and revised HECM life expectancy set-aside requirements.
What it means in Denver County (our analysis): These are national underwriting rules, not local ones: a file on a Denver County, Colorado property is underwritten to the same handbook, so the practical local effect is on how quickly employment can be re-verified before closing here. On this program page it matters because the program requirements above are applied to the local limit and local property costs shown here.
HUD Single Family Housing Policy Handbook 4000.1Reported by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: HUD's 2026 limit calculation for this county is anchored to a median value of $750,000 inside the DENVER-AURORA-CENTENNIAL area.
What it means in Denver County (our analysis): At 3.5% down that implies roughly $26,250 of down payment on a median-priced Denver County purchase, before closing costs and prepaid escrows. Reference figure only — not an appraisal, valuation or offer. On this program page it matters because the program requirements above are applied to the local limit and local property costs shown here.
HUD Mortgagee Letter setting the annual limitsReported by Federal Housing Finance Agency: FHFA publishes conforming loan limits each year alongside HUD's FHA limits.
What it means in Denver County (our analysis): In Denver County, Colorado the two limits do not match, so above $862,500 a conventional loan can finance a larger amount than FHA — which is why both programs are worth pricing side by side on a purchase here. On this program page it matters because the program requirements above are applied to the local limit and local property costs shown here.
FHFA conforming loan limitsReported by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: HUD's 2026 county file sets the one-unit insured maximum in Denver County, Colorado at $862,500, with $1,104,150 on an owner-occupied two-unit property.
What it means in Denver County (our analysis): The limit applies to FHA case numbers assigned on or after January 1, 2026 — the case number date, not your contract date, controls which year's limit applies to a Denver County purchase. On this program page it matters because the program requirements above are applied to the local limit and local property costs shown here.
HUD county loan limit file (CHUMS)A HECM converts equity to income for borrowers 62 and older, with HUD-required counseling before application. Because the loan affects heirs and the property's future disposition, we encourage borrowers to include the people affected in the conversation early.
Complete HUD counseling and involve your family before applying.
SAM is the Simply Approved Mortgages AI assistant, grounded in HUD Handbook 4000.1 and the 2026 HUD county limit file. It answers general FHA questions instantly. A licensed loan officer reviews every scenario before any terms are confirmed.
Hi — I'm SAM. Ask me about FHA loan limits, credit, mortgage insurance, down payment assistance or what an underwriter will need from you. General education only: I don't quote rates, and nothing I say is an offer or commitment to lend.
Ask Simply AI provides general educational information about FHA loan programs. It is an automated assistant, may be incomplete or out of date, and does not provide legal, tax or financial advice. Nothing it produces is a rate quote, APR, pre-approval, offer or commitment to lend. Simply Approved Mortgages LLC (NMLS #2620881) arranges residential mortgage loans in Florida and Colorado. Eligibility, terms, conditions and availability vary by borrower, property, lender, loan program and state, and all loans are subject to lender underwriting and approval. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Continue with the FHA topic that matches where you are, or talk to a licensed loan officer about your own numbers.
What FHA insurance is and who it fits.
Credit, income, DTI and property rules.
580 vs 500–579 and what they change.
3.5% minimum, gift funds and DPA options.
Upfront and annual MIP, and how long it lasts.
County-by-county HUD maximums.
What you pay and what a seller can cover.
203(b), 203(k), streamline, cash-out and more.
Payment, affordability, MIP and break-even tools.
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Short on cash to close? Ask about the FHA DPA, offered through Simply Approved Mortgages: 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% of your loan amount toward your down payment and closing costs, structured as a 10-year repayable second lien at your first-mortgage rate + 2%. FICO 580+, primary residence only — it's an option on every loan program on this site.
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At Simply Approved Mortgages, we believe borrowers deserve clear information, professional guidance, and access to competitive mortgage solutions.
Our company is built around a straightforward philosophy: provide transparent mortgage guidance, maintain a consistent compensation structure on most transactions, and help borrowers make informed financing decisions based on their individual needs and goals.
For many mortgage transactions, Simply Approved Mortgages typically operates using a lender-paid compensation structure of approximately 1.50%. Actual compensation may vary based on lender requirements, loan program, state regulations, loan amount, and other transaction-specific factors.
We believe transparency helps consumers better understand the mortgage process and make informed decisions when comparing financing options.
Mortgage financing should be understandable, transparent, and focused on helping consumers make informed decisions.
Our goal isn't to maximize compensation per transaction. Our goal is to build lifelong client relationships through transparency, service, and competitive mortgage solutions.
Many borrowers spend significant time comparing interest rates, but may be less familiar with how mortgage companies and loan originators are compensated.
Compensation structures can vary among lenders, mortgage brokers, banks, credit unions, and other mortgage providers. Compensation is only one component of a mortgage transaction and should be evaluated alongside interest rates, APR, lender fees, discount points, closing costs, loan features, and overall loan suitability.
At Simply Approved Mortgages, we believe consumers benefit from understanding all aspects of the financing process before making a decision.
Move the slider to compare a hypothetical 1.50% Simply Approved Mortgages compensation structure with a hypothetical 2.75% used by some other lending options. For educational purposes only.
For illustration only. Figures are hypothetical and not a quote, offer, rate lock, or guarantee of savings. Lender compensation is one component of closing costs; actual loan terms, interest rates, fees, APR, and total costs vary by program, loan amount, credit qualifications, property, occupancy, state, and market conditions.
The example below compares a hypothetical 1.50% compensation structure used by Simply Approved Mortgages to a hypothetical 2.75% structure used by some other lending options, solely for educational purposes.
| Loan Amount | Simply Approved Mortgages (1.50%) | Other lending options (2.75%) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $3,750 | $6,875 | $3,125 |
| $350,000 | $5,250 | $9,625 | $4,375 |
| $500,000 | $7,500 | $13,750 | $6,250 |
| $750,000 | $11,250 | $20,625 | $9,375 |
| $1,000,000 | $15,000 | $27,500 | $12,500 |
These examples are illustrative only and are intended to demonstrate how different compensation percentages may produce different compensation amounts based on loan size.
These examples do not represent borrower fees, interest rates, APR, closing costs, loan terms, pricing, or savings, and should not be interpreted as a guarantee that any borrower will receive lower costs or better loan terms.
Whether you're purchasing a home, refinancing an existing mortgage, consolidating debt, or financing an investment property, our team is committed to helping you evaluate available options and make informed decisions.
The most appropriate mortgage solution depends on each borrower's individual financial circumstances, objectives, qualifications, and preferences.
Important Disclosure: Simply Approved Mortgages LLC typically utilizes a lender-paid compensation structure of approximately 1.50% on many mortgage transactions; however, compensation may vary based on lender requirements, loan program, state law, loan amount, borrower qualifications, and other transaction-specific factors. Compensation is only one component of mortgage pricing and does not, by itself, determine interest rates, APR, lender fees, closing costs, loan terms, or overall borrower costs. The information provided on this page is for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as mortgage advice, a commitment to lend, an offer to extend credit, a rate quote, a loan approval, or a guarantee of savings. All mortgage loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting requirements, property approval, and program eligibility guidelines. Borrowers should carefully review all disclosures, including the Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure, before proceeding with any mortgage transaction. Simply Approved Mortgages LLC • NMLS #2620881 • Equal Housing Opportunity.
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Related FHA topics for this page — tap any question to jump straight to the answer.
FHA loan limits rose for 2026, with a floor of $541,287 and a ceiling of $1,249,125. Here's how to find your limit and why it matters.
MIP is the FHA's mortgage insurance. There's an upfront piece and an annual piece. Here's the math on what it actually costs.
The 203(k) lets you finance the purchase and the repairs in a single FHA loan. Here's how the Limited and Standard versions actually work.
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