The 2013 VA Loan Limits were published on 12/12/12 and reveal no big surprises considering recent house pricing reports. Though slight changes from this year to next can be found in some high-cost areas, most veterans will find their loan limits will stay the same at $417,000. New VA loan limits are effective from January 1 - December 31, 2013.

VA borrowers who see a decrease in county loan limits in 2013 may have a small window of opportunity to get the higher limit of 2012 even for loans closed after the New Year. If you are pre-approved and have a sales contract or a Uniform Residential Loan Application (URLA) dated before January 1, 2013, you may be able to get VA backing on the higher limit. Veterans must qualify for a VA loan of any amount.

Counties with smaller VA loan limits in 2013, compared to 2012, include:

California: Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Marin, Monterey, Orange, San Benito, San Diego, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Sonoma and Ventura
Colorado: Eagle, Lake, Routt and Summit
Connecticut: Fairfield
District of Columbia
Hawaii: Honolulu
Idaho: Blaine and Teton
Massachusetts: Bristol and Dukes
Maryland: Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Baltimore City, Carroll, Harford and Howard
New Jersey: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex and Union
New York: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Putman, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Westchester
Pennsylvania: Pike
Virginia: Lancaster
Washington: San Juan
Wyoming: Teton
For more information on 2013 VA county loan limits in your area, you can find information and a detailed list on the Department of Veterans Affairs website. To find out more about pre-qualifying for a VA loan before 12/31/12, contact a VA-approved lender.