Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac Loans — Executed Right.
Max LTV — Primary
High-Balance Available
Days to Close
BBB Rating
You're in the right place
You already know what a conforming loan is. What you need is a lender who understands the nuances — high-balance limits in high-cost counties, DU vs LP findings, LTV maximums by occupancy type, and how to structure a loan that actually clears underwriting the first time. That’s the conversation we’re set up to have.
Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac — Programs and Positioning
Fannie Mae (FNMA) and Freddie Mac (FHLMC) are the two government-sponsored enterprises that purchase the majority of conforming loans from lenders nationwide, creating the secondary market that keeps mortgage rates competitive. Both operate under FHFA-set loan limits and publish their own seller/servicer guidelines — Fannie Mae’s Selling Guide and Freddie Mac’s Single-Family Seller/Servicer Guide — which govern credit, income, asset, appraisal, and property standards.
While the guidelines are substantially similar, the right GSE for a given loan depends on the specifics. Fannie Mae’s Desktop Underwriter (DU) and Freddie Mac’s Loan Product Advisor (LPA) can render different findings on the same loan file — particularly for self-employed income, non-warrantable condos, and certain credit profiles. A lender who runs both and chooses the better finding is operating at a different level than one who defaults to a single system.
In high-cost markets, conforming limits matter. Many counties across our footprint, including the metro area, qualify for elevated high-balance limits. That means more purchasing power at conforming rates before moving into jumbo territory.
Powerhouse Solutions brings deep experience in navigating these markets, structuring loans that stay within agency guidelines while maximizing leverage and pricing. Compare a Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac with a Jumbo Loan to see which fits your goal →
Programs we offer
- Standard conforming — 1–4 units
- High-balance conforming — high-cost counties
- HomeReady (Fannie Mae) — 97% LTV
- Home Possible (Freddie Mac) — 97% LTV
- Investment property — up to 10 financed properties
- Second home financing
- Fixed products
- DU and LP run in-house
2026 Loan Limits & LTV Reference — New York
Conforming Loan Requirements
GSE guidelines set the floor. Powerhouse Solutions underwrites in-house — which means we can work through complex files that automated systems flag as exceptions.
620+ minimum; 740+ for best pricing tiers
3% via HomeReady/Home Possible; 5% standard; 10–25% second home / investment
Up to 50% DTI; DU/LP findings drive actual ceiling with compensating factors
W2, self-employed (2 yr history required), rental income per GSE guidelines
1–4 units, warrantable condos, PUDs, co-ops, manufactured homes (select programs)
2 months PITIA primary; 6 months per financed investment property
Up to 10 conventionally financed properties under GSE guidelines
DU (Fannie Mae) and LPA (Freddie Mac) — both run in-house at PHS
Why Experienced Buyers Choose PHS for Conforming Loans
Every lender claims to do conforming loans. Fewer run DU and LP in-house, know the nuances, and close in under 30 days in market.
We run Desktop Underwriter and Loan Product Advisor internally on every conforming loan. That means we can compare findings across both GSEs, identify which delivers the better result for your specific file, and flag edge cases before they become closing delays. No surprises from a third-party underwriter who doesn't know the file.
Many counties across our footprint, including the metro area, qualify for elevated 2026 high-balance conforming limits. We structure these loans routinely and understand the rate and LTV differences relative to standard conforming. If your loan sits between baseline and high-balance thresholds, we know how to position it correctly.
Certain markets, particularly in the Northeast, have a high concentration of co-ops and non-warrantable condos. We’ve navigated these through exception scenarios, portfolio programs, and alternative qualification paths. If a project doesn’t meet standard GSE criteria, we know where flexibility exists and how to pursue it.
A pre-approval should reflect a real review, not just a credit pull. We issue same-day pre-approvals backed by in-house underwriting. With full control of the process, we consistently close in under 30 days. Listing agents and sellers recognize the difference.
Conforming vs Jumbo — Which Loan Do You Actually Need?
|
Feature
|
Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac
|
Jumbo Loan
|
|---|---|---|
|
Loan Limit
|
Up to $1,249,125 (high-balance NY)
|
Above $1,249,125
|
|
Down Payment
|
As low as 3% (HomeReady/Home Possible)
|
Typically 10–20%+
|
|
Income Documentation
|
Full doc (W2, SE, rental income)
|
Full doc; some alt-doc available
|
|
Mortgage Insurance
|
Required above 80% LTV
|
Not required (varies by lender)
|
|
Rate
|
Generally lower (GSE-backed pricing)
|
Rate premium over conforming
|
|
AUS System
|
DU (Fannie) or LPA (Freddie)
|
Lender-specific underwriting
|
|
Investment Property
|
Up to 10 financed properties
|
Varies by lender overlay
|
Not sure which applies to your loan amount and county? We'll tell you straight — and show you what the rate difference looks like on your actual numbers.
Ready to Get Your Rate?
No credit pull. No obligation. Get a straight answer from a direct lender. Quick application.
How It Works
From Application to Closing
Tell us about your situation in under 2 minutes. No commitment, no credit pull.
Your dedicated loan officer reviews your details and issues a pre-approval letter, often the same day.
PHS manages the entire process from underwriting to title. You focus on finding your home.
As a direct lender, we control the timeline. No bank delays, no middlemen.
What Our Conforming Loan Borrowers Say
Buyers and investors who chose PHS for their Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans.
Fannie & Freddie FAQs
What is the difference between Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans?
What are the conforming loan limits in 2026?
What LTV can I get on a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loan?
Can I use a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loan for an investment property?
What is the difference between a conforming and a high-balance conforming loan?
A standard conforming loan falls within the FHFA baseline limit — $832,750 for one-unit in 2026. A high-balance conforming loan exceeds that but stays within the elevated limit for high-cost areas — up to $1,249,125 for a one-unit in high-cost counties. High-balance loans follow GSE guidelines but typically carry a modest rate premium relative to baseline conforming.