What changed for 2026
Both the conforming and FHA loan limits went up for 2026, and that matters if you're buying in the Sacramento metro:
- Conforming limit: $832,750 — stay under this and you avoid jumbo pricing and stricter underwriting.
- FHA limit: $764,750 — more Sacramento-area homes now fit inside FHA's 3.5% down payment program.
For the full county-by-county breakdown, see the 2026 California loan limits guide.
Why this matters for first-time buyers
A few years ago, a median-priced home in Roseville or Folsom could push you past the FHA ceiling. With the 2026 limits, most of the Sacramento metro fits comfortably inside FHA or conforming range. That means:
- Lower down payment options stay on the table. FHA at 3.5% down, or conventional at 3% down for qualifying first-time buyers.
- You can stack down payment assistance. Programs like CalHFA pair with FHA or conventional first loans to cover some or all of your down payment and closing costs. See the first-time buyer programs guide.
- Jumbo is rarely the only option. Staying under the conforming limit keeps rates and approval requirements friendlier.
What to do with this
- Run your payment with current rates on the monthly payment calculator.
- Check how much home fits your budget on the affordability calculator.
- See where rates are sitting today on the Sacramento mortgage rates page.
If you want to know exactly which programs you qualify for, book a 15-minute call and we'll map your price range to the right loan.