How FHA Loan Limits Work
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) sets FHA loan limits annually based on median home prices in each county. High-cost areas — including all four major South Florida counties — receive higher limits than the national baseline. These limits represent the maximum loan amount FHA will insure, not the maximum purchase price. If you make a larger down payment, your purchase price can exceed the limit (your loan amount would need to stay at or below the limit).
South Florida's counties (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach) are federally designated as high-cost areas and receive the same high-cost area ceiling. Collier County also qualifies as high-cost. These limits are adjusted each January — the figures below reflect 2026 limits announced in late 2025.
2026 FHA Loan Limits — South Florida by County and Unit Type
| County | 1 Unit | 2 Units (Duplex) | 3 Units (Triplex) | 4 Units (Quadplex) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade County | $776,550 | $994,050 | $1,201,150 | $1,492,875 |
| Broward County | $776,550 | $994,050 | $1,201,150 | $1,492,875 |
| Palm Beach County | $776,550 | $994,050 | $1,201,150 | $1,492,875 |
| Collier County | $776,550 | $994,050 | $1,201,150 | $1,492,875 |
| Monroe County (Keys) | $874,000 | $1,118,800 | $1,352,450 | $1,680,800 |
FHA loan limits are updated annually each January based on FHFA home price data. The figures above reflect 2026 limits. Always verify current limits at hud.gov or ask your lender directly before making purchase decisions. Limits can increase year over year in high-cost areas as home values rise.
What These Limits Mean for Each Unit Type
Single-Family (1 Unit) — $776,550
With 3.5% FHA down payment, this limit supports purchase prices up to approximately $804,715 (where the 3.5% down brings the loan to $776,550). In practice, FHA single-family financing in South Florida covers the vast majority of the market — most first-time buyer price ranges fall well below this limit. Above this limit, buyers need conventional or jumbo financing with larger down payments.
Duplex (2 Units) — $994,050
The duplex FHA limit is one of the most strategically important numbers in South Florida first-time buyer finance. With 3.5% down, this supports a duplex purchase price up to approximately $1,030,622. Combined with the ability to count 75% of rental income from the non-owner unit toward qualifying income, and eligibility for Hometown Heroes DPA ($35,000), the FHA duplex strategy is the most accessible entry point to South Florida real estate investing. See the full Duplex FHA Guide.
Triplex (3 Units) — $1,201,150
The FHA triplex limit at $1.2M supports most of the South Florida triplex market. As with duplexes, the owner-occupancy requirement applies — you must live in one unit. Rental income from two non-owner units (75% of market rent) counts toward qualifying income, significantly improving DTI for buyers with moderate incomes.
Quadplex (4 Units) — $1,492,875
The FHA quadplex limit at nearly $1.5M covers the majority of South Florida's 4-unit residential market. At this unit count and limit, the rental income from three non-owner units (75% counted) can essentially make the property self-qualifying — the rental income may cover most or all of the mortgage payment. This is among the most powerful first-time buyer strategies available in South Florida, rarely discussed by agents who don't specialize in investor-oriented representation.
When You're Above the FHA Limit — Your Options
If your target property's loan requirement exceeds the FHA limit for your county and unit type:
- Conventional loan with larger down payment: A conventional loan can fund above FHA limits. The trade-off is a larger down payment (typically 5–20%) and no access to FHA-specific DPA programs
- Larger down payment on FHA: If the purchase price is above the limit but you can make a larger down payment to bring the loan amount to at or below the limit, FHA financing remains available
- Jumbo financing: For purchase prices that require loan amounts above conventional conforming limits, jumbo loans are available with typically 10–20% down and stronger credit requirements
- Adjust target price or unit type: The most straightforward solution — the FHA limits are generous enough that most South Florida first-time buyer targets fall within them
Answer a few simple questions and discover homebuyer programs, financing options, grants, and next steps — tailored to your South Florida situation.
Take The Homebuyer Qualification Quiz ›How FHA Limits Interact with Down Payment Assistance
South Florida's DPA programs (Miami-Dade PHCD, Hometown Heroes, Broward County, Palm Beach County) all work within FHA loan limits. The DPA funds reduce your required loan amount — which means even if your purchase price approaches the limit, DPA assistance can bring the financed portion comfortably within FHA's ceiling. See the complete South Florida Grants Directory for current program parameters.
