Powerhouse Solutions, Inc.

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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.

The programs

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
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Program details

2026 Loan Limits & LTV Reference — New York

Key parameters for conforming loans in New York’s high-cost counties. All figures reflect 2026 FHFA limits. Verify county-specific limits with your PHS loan officer.
Fannie Mae
Key Programs & Parameters
AUS System
Desktop Underwriter (DU)
Low Down Payment Program
HomeReady — 97% LTV
Income Limit (HomeReady)
80% of AMI (area median income)
Non-Borrower Income
Allowed via DU findings
MI Requirement
Required above 80% LTV
Max Financed Properties
10 (with reserves)
Freddie Mac
Key Programs & Parameters
AUS System
Loan Product Advisor (LPA)
Low Down Payment Program
Home Possible — 97% LTV
Income Limit (Home Possible)
80% of AMI (area median income)
Non-Borrower Income
Not eligible for Home Possible
MI Requirement
Required above 80% LTV
Max Financed Properties
10 (with reserves)
Qualification

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.

Credit Score

620+ minimum; 740+ for best pricing tiers

Down Payment

3% via HomeReady/Home Possible; 5% standard; 10–25% second home / investment

Debt-to-Income

Up to 50% DTI; DU/LP findings drive actual ceiling with compensating factors

Income Types

W2, self-employed (2 yr history required), rental income per GSE guidelines

Property Types

1–4 units, warrantable condos, PUDs, co-ops, manufactured homes (select programs)

Reserves

2 months PITIA primary; 6 months per financed investment property

Max Financed Properties

Up to 10 conventionally financed properties under GSE guidelines

AUS

DU (Fannie Mae) and LPA (Freddie Mac) — both run in-house at PHS

Complex file? Non-warrantable condo, self-employed income with variable compensation, investment property with multiple financed properties — tell us the specifics. We underwrite these in-house.
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Why Powerhouse Solutions

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.

01
DU and LP Run In-House

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.

02
High-Balance Expertise in High-Cost Counties

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.

03
Non-Warrantable Condos and Co-ops

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.

04
Same-Day Pre-Approval. Under 30 Days to Close.

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?

The most common decision point for buyers in the $900K–$1.5M range is whether their loan qualifies as high-balance conforming or requires jumbo financing. The answer affects your rate, down payment, and lender options significantly.
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.

Talk to a Loan Officer
Learn About Jumbo Loans
No credit pull. No obligation.

Ready to Get Your Rate?

No credit pull. No obligation. Get a straight answer from a direct lender. Quick application.

Get Started — Fannie & Freddie
The Powerhouse Solutions Way

How It Works
From Application to Closing

1
Quick Application

Tell us about your situation in under 2 minutes. No commitment, no credit pull.

2
Pre-Approval Same Day

Your dedicated loan officer reviews your details and issues a pre-approval letter, often the same day.

3
We Handle Everything

PHS manages the entire process from underwriting to title. You focus on finding your home.

4
Close in Under 30 Days

As a direct lender, we control the timeline. No bank delays, no middlemen.

Real Stories

What Our Conforming Loan Borrowers Say

Buyers and investors who chose PHS for their Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans.

FAQ

Fannie & Freddie FAQs

Technical questions from buyers and investors who know the programs. Answered straight.
Ask Us Directly
What is the difference between Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans?
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are government-sponsored enterprises that purchase conforming loans from lenders. Both follow similar guidelines, but differ in specific program overlays — DU vs LPA findings, HomeReady vs Home Possible income structures, and how certain income types are treated. Complex files — self-employed income, non-warrantable condos, multiple financed properties — may qualify better under one GSE’s guidelines than the other. Powerhouse Solutions runs both and identifies which produces the stronger finding for your file.
The 2026 baseline conforming limit is $832,750 for a one-unit property. In high-cost counties, including much of the New York metro area as well as select markets across NJ, CT, PA, and FL, limits increase up to $1,249,125. Multi-unit limits are higher. Loans above these thresholds require jumbo financing.
Maximum LTV depends on transaction type and occupancy. Primary purchase reaches 97% LTV via HomeReady/Home Possible for eligible borrowers, 95% standard. Cash-out refinances on primary residences cap at 80% LTV. Investment property purchases are capped at 85% for single units, 75% for 2–4 units. High-balance loans may carry tighter LTV caps on certain scenarios — verify with your Powerhouse Solutions loan officer.
Yes. Both GSEs allow financing for 1–4 unit investment properties within conforming loan limits. Down payment requirements are 15% for single units and 25% for 2–4 units. Reserve requirements apply — typically 6 months PITIA per financed property. Borrowers can hold up to 10 conventionally financed properties under GSE guidelines.

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.

PMI is required when LTV exceeds 80%. It can be structured as borrower-paid monthly, borrower-paid upfront, or lender-paid with a rate adjustment. PMI is automatically cancelled at 78% LTV under federal law, or can be requested at 80% if supported by an appraisal. Your Powerhouse Solutions loan officer can model both options and show you the break-even poin
Both GSEs require two years of self-employment history and use tax return income — Schedule C, K-1, or corporate returns depending on structure. DU and LPA run automated income assessments, but complex returns often require manual underwriting. Powerhouse Solutions underwrites in-house, so our underwriters handle partnership income, depreciation add-backs, and variable compensation structures directly.
At Powerhouse Solutions, most conforming loans close in under 30 days. DU and LP are run in-house, underwriting is internal, and we manage the full process through title. In today’s competitive market, that closing speed is a material advantage — both for purchase contracts and for sellers evaluating competing offers.
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Get Started — Fannie & Freddie Loan
516-829-2900