What Are Conforming AKA Conventional Loan Limits?
Conforming loan limits are set annually by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) based on median home prices across the U.S. For 2025, the baseline conforming loan limit for a single-family home (1-unit property) in most areas of the country, including much of Washington State, is $806,500. However, in high-cost areas where home prices exceed the national average, the FHFA designates "high balance" limits to accommodate these markets. In Washington, three counties qualify for this higher threshold due to their pricier real estate: King, Pierce, and Snohomish.
Washington State Loan Limits at a Glance
These limits apply to conventional loans and vary depending on the property type (e.g., single-family home, duplex, triplex, or fourplex). Below, we’ll break it down by county and property type, starting with the high balance areas.
High Balance Areas in Washington State
The Seattle metro area, encompassing King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties, is known for its robust housing market, driven by tech industry growth and urban demand. As a result, these counties have a higher conforming loan limit of $1,037,300 for a single-family home in 2025. This reflects the FHFA’s adjustment to 150% of the baseline limit in high-cost regions, ensuring buyers can still access conforming loans in these expensive markets.
Here’s how the limits stack up for these counties across property types:
These higher limits make it easier for homebuyers in the Seattle area to secure financing without resorting to jumbo loans, which often require larger down payments and better credit scores.
Baseline Loan Limits for All Other Counties
For the remaining 36 counties in Washington State, the standard conforming loan limit of $806,500 applies to single-family homes. This baseline reflects the FHFA’s national standard for 2025, adjusted upward from 2024’s $766,550 due to a 5.2% increase in average home prices nationwide. Here’s the breakdown for these counties by property type:
Now, let’s list every county in Washington State with their respective 2025 conforming loan limits for a 1-unit property.
County-by-County Breakdown of 2025 Conforming Loan Limits
Here’s the full list of Washington’s 39 counties, with loan limits for single-family homes (1-unit properties):
Why Do Loan Limits Matter?
Loan limits directly impact your financing options. If you’re buying a home priced below the conforming limit in your county, you can qualify for a conventional loan with more favorable terms—like lower interest rates and less stringent credit requirements—compared to jumbo loans. In high balance areas like King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties, the elevated limit of $1,037,300 gives buyers more flexibility in competitive markets where median home prices often exceed $800,000. For example, Seattle’s median home price was around $825,000 in early 2025, making the high balance limit a critical tool for buyers.
In contrast, rural counties like Ferry or Garfield, where home prices are typically lower, stick to the baseline limit of $806,500—more than sufficient for most properties in those areas.
What If You Need More Than the Limit?
If your dream home exceeds the conforming loan limit for your county, you’ll need a jumbo loan. These loans often require:
For instance, a $1.2 million home in King County would push you $162,700 over the $1,037,300 limit, requiring a jumbo loan for the excess amount or a larger down payment to bring the loan within conforming bounds. At NAF, we offer Jumbo Loans up to 4 million.
Final Thoughts
Washington State’s 2025 conforming loan limits reflect the diversity of its housing markets, from the bustling Seattle metro area to quieter rural counties. Whether you’re eyeing a condo in Capitol Hill or a farmhouse in Yakima, knowing your county’s loan limit can help you plan your budget and explore mortgage options. The high balance designation for King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties offers a lifeline for buyers in those pricey markets, while the baseline limit covers the needs of most other areas.
Ready to take the next step? Reach out to me to get pre-approved and see how these limits apply to your homebuying journey in 2025 or browse more about our Conforming AKA - Conventional loan page to learn more. I'm here to help you every step of the way! - Nick Jeatran
Copyright ©2025 New American Funding, LLC. All Rights Reserved. NMLS#6606. New American Funding makes Customer Service our number one priority. We encourage you to call our Corporate Customer Service department at 800-450-2010 ext. 7100 between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm Pacific or email us anytime at customerservice@nafinc.com for any complaint resolution you may have regarding the origination of your loan. If you are using a screen reader or other auxiliary aid and are having problems using this website, please call 800-450-2010 Ext 7100 for assistance. This site is not authorized by the New York State Department of Financial Services. No mortgage solicitation activity or loan applications for properties located in the State of New York can be facilitated through this site.