For homebuyers in New Hanover, Pender, Onslow, and Brunswick counties, the “price of entry” for a luxury-tier home just got a little more accessible.

While the official announcement from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is technical, the impact on your wallet is practical. As of January 1, 2026, the baseline conforming loan limit for a single-family home has increased to $832,750.

This is an increase of $26,250 over the 2025 limit. While that might sound like a modest bump compared to the massive jumps of previous years, in our coastal market, specific price points matter. This adjustment pushes the “Jumbo Loan” threshold higher, allowing you to buy more home with less hassle.

The New Magic Number: $832,750

In the mortgage world, loans fall into two primary buckets:

• Conforming Loans: Backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. They typically offer lower interest rates, lower down payment options (3–5%), and simpler underwriting guidelines.
• Jumbo Loans: Any loan amount above the conforming limit. These often require 20% down, higher credit scores (720+), and 6–12 months of liquid cash reserves.

The 2026 Update:
2025 Limit: $806,500
2026 Limit: $832,750

What This Means for Your Buying Power

The real power of this increase isn't just the loan amount; it’s the purchase price it unlocks using a low-down-payment conventional loan.

The “5% Down” Scenario: In 2026, a buyer putting 5% down can now purchase a home priced up to ~$876,000 and still keep their loan “conforming.”

The “10% Down” Scenario: A buyer putting 10% down can shop up to ~$925,000 without triggering Jumbo requirements.

The Coastal Impact: Targeting the “Move-Up” Market

In our specific region, this new limit opens up a critical tier of inventory that was previously difficult to finance without a massive down payment.

Wilmington & Landfall: This hits the sweet spot for renovated homes in mid-tier neighborhoods or smaller footprint homes in luxury communities like Landfall.

The Beach Towns: In Surf City and Oak Island, many “second row” or newer construction beach cottages hover in the $850k–$900k range. The new limit makes these vacation properties accessible with a conventional second-home loan (10% down) rather than a Jumbo product.

New Construction: For buyers building in Hampstead or Leland, this buffer helps absorb the cost of upgrades (like a screened porch or premium appliance package) without pushing the final loan amount over the cliff.

Strategic Note: Early Adoption

You do not necessarily have to wait until January 1 to take advantage of this. Many lenders in our network will honor the new $832,750 limit for loans closing in December, provided the loan is sold to the agencies after the New Year.

Your Next Step

If you have been shopping in the $800k–$900k price range and felt stuck by Jumbo loan requirements, your constraints just loosened.

At Aspyre Realty Group, we track these financial shifts to ensure our clients maximize their purchasing power. We are experts in listening and communicating people's wants into homes that work for them—financially and personally. Let’s connect you with a lender who is honoring the 2026 limits today so you can update your pre-approval letter.