Maryland VA loan limits in 2026
Program figures verified July 2026 — details change; confirm your scenario with us.
Veterans with full VA entitlement do not have a strict loan limit. The number that matters is what your lender will actually fund. Here is how that math works in Maryland — and where it diverges from the simple $832,750 figure most articles print.
The short answer for Maryland buyers
If you are a Maryland Veteran with full VA entitlement — meaning you have not used your VA benefit on a prior loan that is still active — there is no county-by-county cap that limits how much home you can buy with a VA loan in 2026. The $832,750 number people quote is the federal conforming baseline; it tells you when the funding fee structure changes, not what your maximum purchase price is.
If you have partial entitlement — because you already have one VA loan active or you defaulted on a VA loan previously — then the county limit matters. In Maryland, that limit varies by county.
2026 county limit structure in Maryland
Five Maryland counties carry high-cost 2026 limits because they sit in the Washington, DC metro area. Montgomery, Prince George's, Charles, and Frederick counties are at the high-cost ceiling of $1,249,125. Calvert County is high-cost at a distinct $1,209,750. Every other Maryland county — including Anne Arundel and Howard — uses the baseline.
| County group | 2026 limit |
|---|---|
| Montgomery, Prince George's, Charles, Frederick | $1,249,125 |
| Calvert | $1,209,750 |
| All other Maryland counties (incl. Anne Arundel, Howard, Baltimore City & County) | $832,750 |
For most Maryland counties, the 2026 baseline VA loan limit follows the standard FHFA conforming figure of $832,750. This is the figure that affects partial-entitlement borrowers and the threshold above which a no-down-payment loan begins requiring proportional cash.
What this actually means for Baltimore and other Maryland markets
In Baltimore and the surrounding metros, listed prices regularly exceed the conforming baseline. A Maryland Veteran with full entitlement can still buy at those prices with a VA loan and put zero dollars down. The lender just needs to be comfortable funding above the conforming cap — and most VA lenders are.
What changes above the baseline:
- Funding fee structure stays the same. Whether your purchase is $400,000 or $1.2 million, the funding fee percentage depends on whether this is your first VA use and your down payment. It does not jump based on loan size.
- Underwriting attention deepens. Above $1 million, expect a closer look at residual income, debt-to-income ratios, and reserves. The VA program does not change but lender overlays may.
- Appraisal scrutiny rises. VA appraisals on high-value properties get more eyes on the comparables.
If you have partial entitlement
If you have an active VA loan elsewhere or you defaulted on a prior VA loan, your effective Maryland buying power is calculated against the county limit. The math is:
- Take the county limit (baseline $832,750 for most Maryland counties)
- Multiply by 25% to find your remaining entitlement headroom
- You can buy with zero down up to that headroom; above it, you typically need 25% of the difference in cash
This math is awkward but it is the actual rule. Mike can walk you through your specific entitlement situation in a fifteen-minute call.
How to verify your entitlement
Pull your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) before you make an offer. Mike can pull it for you in most cases — usually within 24 hours. If you have used your benefit before, your COE will show your remaining entitlement and any restored entitlement.
Common Maryland questions
Can I buy above the $832,750 cap in Maryland?
Yes, if you have full entitlement. The cap matters for partial-entitlement borrowers and influences funding fee thresholds, not your maximum purchase price.
Do high-cost Maryland counties get higher VA limits?
Five do. Montgomery, Prince George's, Charles, and Frederick counties carry the 2026 high-cost limit of $1,249,125, and Calvert County carries $1,209,750. Every other Maryland county, including Anne Arundel and Howard, uses the $832,750 baseline. For full-entitlement borrowers, none of these figures caps your purchase price — they raise the partial-entitlement threshold.
What if I am stationed in Maryland but my COE shows I used VA in another state?
Your VA benefit is portable. The prior use reduces your current entitlement; what you have left applies in any state. We will walk through the math with you for Maryland specifically.