This file represents the layout of the loan-limit data files made publicly available through the hud.gov web site. There are three data files: one for FHA Single Family, one for FHA HECM, and one for GSE loans (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). These data files represent the records resident in HUD’s master file of county-level loan limits. Median prices provided in the data files are the values used to calculate the various loan limits, and may not represent actual home prices in any respective county. For an explanation of HUD’s methodology in determining applicable median prices and calculating loan limits, see HUD Median Price Estimates.

The loan limits found in the associated data files are applicable for the timeframes outlined in the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008. This file will only be updated if HUD determines, in response to an appropriately filed appeal (see Mortgagee Letter 2008-06), that there is sufficient justification to change its initial determination of the appropriate median price for any given county. 

Each record in each data file consists of the following fields:

Field Name                   Position     Format and Size

MSA Code                      001-005           9(5)
Metropolitan Division Code    006-010           9(5)
MSA Name                      011-060           X(50)
SOA Code                      061-065           X(5)
Limit Type                    066-066           X(1)
    Values: S - Standard Limits - Indicates limits are at national floor.
            H - High Cost Limits - Indicates limits are above national floor.
Median Price                  067-073           9(7)
Limit for 1 Living Unit       074-080           9(7)
Limit for 2 Living Units      081-087           9(7)
Limit for 3 Living Units      088-094           9(7)
Limit for 4 Living Units      095-101           9(7)
State Abbreviation            102-103           X(2)
County Code (FIPS)            104-106           9(3)
State Name                    107-132           X(26)
County Name                   133-147           X(15)
County Transaction Date       148-155           9(8)
Limit Transaction Date        156-163           9(8)


Notes:  
1. A format of X(n) means n Alphanumeric (letters and numbers) characters
2. A format of 9(n) means n Numeric (numbers only) characters
3. The SOA Code is applicable only for FHA loans. It is set to a value of ‘GSE’ in all records in the GSE loan limits file.
4. The County Transaction Date represents the last time that a county boundary was changed, affecting the loan limits.
5. Limit Transaction Date represents the last time that the loan limit for a particular county was updated.


Please email any questions about this file to sfadmin@hud.gov

This page last updated: March 5, 2008