Most of the loans done in the United States end up with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or The Federal Housing Administration (FHA). All three agencies have Maximum Loan Limits, meaning that regardless of someone’s qualification there is a cap on the loan amount. Over the last few days all three announced increases to those limits. This year those increases were rather large due to the huge home appreciation rates the industry has seen.
There are two buckets for the caps that vary by area of the country. Most of the areas we serve in Michigan and Ohio are considered low costs areas. The low cost areas were increased as follows:
| Property Size | Baseline Loan Limits |
| One-Unit | $647,200 |
| Two-Units | $828,700 |
| Three-Units | $1,001,650 |
| Four-Units | $1,244.850 |
| Property Size | Low-Cost Area “Floor” |
| One-Unit | $420,680 |
| Two-Units | $538,650 |
| Three-Units | $651,050 |
| Four-Units | $809,150 |
This is all great news for home buyers and sellers. For buyers looking in that higher end market they are now able to reach some higher price points without needing “jumbo” financing. Typically with jumbo loans they have less attractive financing terms and more strict qualifying guidelines. These welcomed increases are bound to help keep that higher end market moving. If you have questions or need help with financing your next home don’t hesitate to reach out!
What if the “perfect time” to adjust your financial flight path isn’t a distant destination, but a specific set of coordinates you’ve already reached? With Kalamazoo home prices climbing 8.7% over the past year, many neighbors are sitting on significant equity but feel grounded by the confusion of closing costs and breakeven points. Deciding exactly when to refinance my mortgage in Kalamazoo requires more than just watching national headlines; it demands a local perspective on how to use your home’s value to gain better financial lift.
It’s completely normal to feel a bit of turbulence when you consider resetting your loan term or navigating Michigan’s 6.56% average refinance rates. You want to ensure that any move you make provides a smoother journey, whether that’s through lower monthly payments, a faster path to a debt-free home, or a cash-out for those long-awaited renovations. This 2026 flight plan will show you how to read the local market signals and calculate your precise trajectory. We’ll break down the real costs of refinancing in Kalamazoo County and help you determine if the current conditions offer the clear skies you need to reach your goals.