For 2009, we are maintaining the base conforming loan limits at the 2008 levels. Through December 31, 2009, Freddie Mac will continue to purchase home mortgages up to the following loan amounts:

The conforming loan limits above are for mortgages that are not in designated high-cost areas as defined by the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

Higher Loan Limits for Certain High-cost Areas and Freddie Mac's Super Conforming Mortgages

The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 raises the base conforming loan limits in certain high-cost areas (where 115 percent of the area median house price exceeds the applicable base loan limit) to the lesser of 115 percent of the area median home price or 150 percent of the conforming loan limits. We have termed mortgages that will be purchased under these higher limits as "super conforming" mortgages.

From January 2, 2009 through and including December 31, 2009, Freddie Mac will purchase super conforming mortgages up to the following loan limits:

These are the maximum potential loan limits for mortgages for designated high-cost areas. Actual loan limits for specific high-cost areas may be lower. In addition, the super conforming limits will be higher in certain high-cost areas in Alaska, Guam, Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

For more details on our requirements for these mortgages, visit our Super Conforming Mortgages Web page.