Trade Groups Urge Loan Limit Extension

It is becoming more difficult for some lenders to approve mortgages with balances above $625,500, according to industry groups who are urging Congress to move quickly and extend the current higher loan limit. The $729,750 maximum loan limit for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Federal Housing Administration loans is due to expire at yearend. In a letter to House and Senate leaders, three trade groups warn that some lenders are pulling back because they don't want to get caught with loans they can't sell. "The result is that borrowers are being unnecessarily denied financing because of the uncertainty about expiring loan limits," according to a letter by the Mortgage Bankers Association, National Association of Home Builders and National Association of Realtors. "Therefore, we request Congress extend the limits as soon as possible so as not to jeopardize the fragile recovery," the Oct. 26 letter says.