Rocket Mortgage might have been a few weeks behind its competition in announcing its presumptive 2026 conforming loan limit increase, but it took that time to go higher than the rest of the market.
On Oct. 16, Rocket pushed its chips in, setting its limit at $825,500. For Alaska and Hawaii, the limit is now $1,238,325.None of these are the official conforming loan limits for 2026, which is normally announced by the Federal Housing Finance Agency in November, after its third quarter House Price Index is released. Federal law sets the formula the agency must use in determining the amount, which is also then applied to government-guaranteed mortgage programs as well.
The conforming limit change is calculated from an expanded data set, which uses information from the government-sponsored enterprises, the Federal Housing Administration and what was previously called Corelogic (now Cotality). The FHFA's separate purchase-only HPI is just from the GSEs, the agency said in response to a query regarding last year's increase.
The Rocket limit increases apply to loans which come directly into the company as well as those it acquires in its mortgage broker channel.
"We've taken the time needed to analyze current market data and rising home prices to determine the most accurate loan limits for today's environment," Bill Banfield, Rocket's chief business officer, said in an emailed statement. "This strategic decision reflects our commitment to providing accessible homeownership opportunities when families need them most."
Rocket, and the others who announce early limit increases, need to hold the loans on their balance sheet until the start of 2026. The risk is that the amount FHFA is able to raise the conforming loan limits for next year is below what these mortgage lenders are announcing now.
For 2025, FHFA boosted the conforming limits
Limits differ based on the number of units in the property. A single-family mortgage can be used for homes with up to four units.
"This increase directly supports our fifth partner promise – 'Helping everyone home means everyone,'" Dan Sogorka, general manager of Rocket Pro, said in the statement. "Our new broker promises represent our dedication to expanding homeownership access across all communities."
National Mortgage News reached out to those other major lenders who announced early conforming limit increases to see if they are planning to follow suit with Rocket.
Crosscountry did not have any comment beyond its initial announcement, the company said in an email. Other companies have yet to comment.
