Maui County's conforming loan limit for 2026 has jumped to $1,299,500, tying it for the highest single-family county cap in the United States. That higher ceiling gives island buyers access to larger mortgages that still qualify for purchase by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The change represents roughly a 7.4% increase from last year and pushes the county's cap to nearly $1.3 million.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency's full county table lists Maui County's one-unit conforming loan limit at $1,299,500 for 2026, the same figure assigned to Kalawao County on the state's north shore. That number appears in the agency's official county loan limit table, according to FHFA.
As reported by Pacific Business News, the FHFA action raised Maui's cap by about 7.4% from its 2025 level. Reporter Janis Magin spotlighted the bump after FHFA finalized the annual county limits for 2026, noting that the borrowing bar in paradise just got a little higher.
How FHFA Calculates County Loan Limits
FHFA adjusts conforming loan limits each year based on its House Price Index. For 2026, the national baseline climbed to $832,750 and the high-cost ceiling to $1,249,125. Special statutory provisions set different baseline and ceiling figures for Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, which is why some Hawaiian counties sit above the national ceiling. FHFA's announcement and methodology outline how changes in local median home values feed into county-by-county limits.
What It Means For Buyers And Lenders
Loans that fall under the conforming limit are eligible for purchase by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which typically means broader program availability and more competitive pricing than jumbo loans. Fannie Mae notes that the 2026 limits apply to whole loans and MBS pool issue dates on or after January 1, 2026, so buyers and originators should confirm which limits apply to a specific closing, according to Fannie Mae. Lenders and listing agents are expected to update loan program guidelines and price thresholds as the new limits take effect.
Local buyers, realtors and lenders in Maui now have a larger conforming window to consider when structuring purchases and refinances. For on-the-ground coverage and additional context, see Pacific Business News.
