$625,500 Not Enough? VA Increases Guaranty To Cover $793,750 Loan Amount
It’s official. Included in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 that President Bush signed, is Section 2201 that calls for the “Temporary Increase in Maximum Loan Guaranty Amount for Certain Housing Loans Guaranteed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs”.
In essence, from July 30th 2008 - January 1st 2009, the VA Department will increase their guaranty amount to cover 25% of the greater of the two:
- $625,500 (for Hawaii, Alaska, Guam and Virgin Islands), or $417,000 (Continental 48 states).
- 125 percent of the area median price for single-family residence, up to $1,094,625 (Hawaii, Alaska, Guam and Virgin Islands) or $729,750 (Continental 48 states).
Lawmakers drop the ball with VA
Recently, congress came together to put together the economic stimulus package and in affect, temporarily raising the conforming loan limits in high cost areas. What did this do for people in Honolulu, Hawaii? Essentially raise the conforming loan limits from $625,500 to $793,750 for a one unit property. Unfortunately this increase limits will only affect Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and FHA loans - not VA-backed loans.
Why did VA get left out on this? Well, according to House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner, (D - CA), “I don’t think (the plan drafters) understood the situation” - specifically that lawmakers probably assumed that VA loan limits would automatically increase along with Fannie and Freddie limits.
This oversight caught the attention of Hawaii Senator, Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and on March 14 he introduced legislation to rectify the oversight and raise the maximum guaranty for veterans’ homes.
Here’s a copy of Sen. Akaka’s floor statement introducing the bill:
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