Illinois Mortgage Guides 2026
FHA limits by county, IHDA down payment assistance up to $15,000, USDA rural loans, VA resources for Illinois service members, and a complete Illinois closing-cost breakdown — all in one place.
Everything You Need for an Illinois Home Purchase
Six in-depth guides covering every aspect of getting a mortgage in Illinois — from loan program selection to what you’ll pay at closing.
Illinois Mortgage Guide
FHA loan limits by county, loan program comparison, property tax overview, and how the Illinois housing market affects your financing options.
Read guide →Illinois First-Time Home Buyer Guide
IHDA Access mortgages, down payment assistance up to $15,000, and income limits by county — compared side by side.
Read guide →Illinois FHA Loan Requirements
2026 FHA limits of $541,287 statewide (Illinois has no high-cost counties), credit score and down payment rules, and mortgage insurance costs.
Read guide →Illinois VA Loan Requirements
VA entitlement, the 2026 funding fee chart, and resources for Scott Air Force Base, Great Lakes Naval Station, the Illinois National Guard, and veterans statewide.
Read guide →Illinois USDA Loans
2026 USDA income limits for Illinois counties, eligible rural and suburban areas outside Chicago, and how zero-down USDA compares to FHA.
Read guide →Illinois Closing Costs Guide
State, county, and Chicago transfer taxes, required attorney fees, property tax prorations in arrears, and a complete fee-by-fee breakdown for Illinois buyers.
Read guide →Key Illinois Mortgage Facts
FHA Loan Limits
- All Illinois counties: $541,287
- Cook County (Chicago): $541,287
- DuPage, Lake, Will, Kane: $541,287
- No FHA high-cost counties in Illinois
- 2-unit: $693,050 · 3-unit: $837,700 · 4-unit: $1,041,125
- Confirm your county at HUD’s official lookup
Down Payment Assistance
- IHDAccess Home: up to $15,000 (6%), 0% deferred
- IHDAccess Forgivable: up to $6,000 (4%), forgiven over 10 yrs
- IHDAccess Repayable: up to $10,000 (10%)
- Min credit score: 640; homebuyer education required
- Current terms at ihdamortgage.org
USDA Income Limits (2026)
- Standard limit: $122,800 (1–4 person) / $162,100 (5–8 person)
- Metro areas are assigned higher limits — verify your county
- FY2026 figures, effective July 13, 2026
Closing Cost Highlights
- Illinois does charge a real estate transfer tax
- State $0.50/$500 + county; Chicago adds a city tax
- Attorney customary at closing: $500–$1,500
- Median property tax rate: about 2.01% (Census)
- Details at the Illinois Department of Revenue
Buying or Refinancing in Illinois?
Our guides above cover Illinois’s loan limits, assistance programs and closing costs, and every figure links to the official source so you can verify current terms.
- ✓ Check IHDA program eligibility and current terms at ihdamortgage.org
- ✓ Confirm your county’s 2026 FHA limit with HUD’s lookup tool
- ✓ Compare FHA vs. conventional using our loan program guides
- ✓ Estimate your total cash to close with our closing cost guide
No obligation · Educational first
Talk to an Illinois Mortgage Advisor
Have questions about buying or refinancing in Illinois? A licensed mortgage advisor can walk you through your loan options, assistance programs and costs, with no obligation.
Speak to a Mortgage Advisor