source:
  type: guide
  id: va-m26-7-ch03-t04
  authority: VA Lenders Handbook (VA Pamphlet 26-7), Chapter 3, Topic 4 — Maximum
    Guaranty on VA Loans
  description: VA Lenders Handbook (VA Pamphlet 26-7), Chapter 3, Topic 4 — Maximum
    Guaranty on VA Loans.
  coverage_tier: operative
obligations:
- id: va-m26-7-ch03-t04-full
  canonical_id: va-m26-7-ch03-t04-full
  section: VA Lenders Handbook (VA Pamphlet 26-7), Chapter 3, Topic 4 — Maximum Guaranty
    on VA Loans
  type: do
  tags:
  - regulator-direct
  - va
  - va-handbook
  - corpus-expansion
  - tier-operative
  primary_source:
    tier: 1
    authority: VA Lenders Handbook (VA Pamphlet 26-7), Chapter 3, Topic 4 — Maximum
      Guaranty on VA Loans
    source_class: va-handbook
    source_url: https://www.benefits.va.gov/warms/pam26_7.asp
    snapshot_id: 73e5d344e2743889
    fetched_at: '2026-05-23T01:53:52Z'
    content_hash: sha256:b452379ce6dbdb528896ce1d9ac9ca8a9cf03b5fab6fa9af7766dc2dc17c2bbe
    paragraph_quote: '4. Maximum Guaranty on VA Loans Change Date November 8, 2012,
      Change 21 • This section has been updated to note that Public Law 112-154 extended
      the temporary guaranty increase from December 31, 2011 to December 31, 2014.
      • This section has been updated to correct hyperlinks and make minor grammatical
      edits. a. Maximum Guaranty Table Public Law 112-154, the Honoring America''s
      Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012, signed August 6,
      2012, extended the temporary increase in the maximum guaranty. The increase
      expired December 31, 2011, but Public Law 112-154, extended it through December
      31, 2014. The maximum guaranty varies depending on the location of the property.
      While VA does not have a maximum loan amount, there are effective “loan limits”
      for high-cost counties. The limits are derived by considering both the median
      home price for a county and the Freddie Mac conforming loan limit. To aid lenders
      in determining the maximum guaranty in high-cost counties, VA has created a
      Loan Limit chart, with instructions. This will be updated yearly. • In general,
      maximum guaranty, assuming the veteran has full entitlement, is as shown in
      the table below. Loan Amount Maximum Potential Guaranty Special Provisions Up
      to $45,000 50 percent of the loan amount. Minimum guaranty of 25 percent on
      IRRRLs. $45,001 to $56,250 $22,500 Minimum guaranty of 25 percent on IRRRLs.
      $56,251 to $144,000 40 percent of the loan amount, with a maximum of $36,000.
      Minimum guaranty of 25 percent on IRRRLs. $144,001 to $417,000 25 percent of
      the loan amount Minimum guaranty of 25 percent on IRRRLs. Greater than $417,000
      The lesser of: • 25 percent of the VA county loan limit, or • 25 percent of
      the loan amount Minimum guaranty of 25 percent on IRRRLs VA Pamphlet 26-7, Revised
      Chapter 3: The VA Loan and Guaranty 3-11 4. Maximum Guaranty on VA Loans, Continued
      a. Maximum Guaranty Table (continued) Note: The percentage and amount of guaranty
      is based on the loan amount including the funding fee portion when the fee is
      paid from loan proceeds. For the maximum guaranty on loans for manufactured
      homes that are not permanently affixed (i.e., not considered real estate) see
      38 U.S.C. 3712 and/or contact VA. VA Pamphlet 26-7, Revised Chapter 3: The VA
      Loan and Guaranty 3-12'
  judgment: false
