Maine FHA Loan Requirements 2026
2026 FHA loan limits for all 16 Maine counties, including the higher Cumberland, Sagadahoc and York limits, HUD’s credit and minimum investment rules, how FHA mortgage insurance works, and how FHA pairs with MaineHousing.
Maine FHA Loan Limits by County (2026)
FHA sets its limits by county and by the number of units in the property. In Maine, 13 of 16 counties sit at the CY2026 national floor, including the Bangor and Lewiston-Auburn areas, and the three counties of the Portland-South Portland metro area are set higher.
| County | One Unit | Two Units | Three Units | Four Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cumberland, Sagadahoc and York (Portland-South Portland area) | $615,250 | $787,650 | $952,050 | $1,183,200 |
| 13 other counties (national floor) | $541,287 | $693,050 | $837,700 | $1,041,125 |
The 13 floor counties are Androscoggin, Aroostook, Franklin, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, Waldo and Washington. Confirm any county before relying on it at the HUD FHA Mortgage Limits lookup, selecting Limit Type “FHA Forward” and Limit Year CY2026.
Maine FHA Loan Requirements
FHA rules are federal, so they do not change between Maine and any other state. What changes is the loan limit and the price of the homes you are applying them to.
| Requirement | Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum required investment | 3.5% of the adjusted value | Required for FHA to insure the maximum mortgage amount |
| Credit score 580 or above | Eligible for maximum financing | Lenders may apply a higher overlay |
| Credit score 500–579 | Maximum 90% loan-to-value | Effectively 10% down |
| Credit score below 500 | Not eligible | HUD minimum decision credit score |
| Mortgage insurance | Required | Both upfront and annual — see below |
| Loan limit | $541,287 for one unit in 13 counties | $615,250 in Cumberland, Sagadahoc and York |
Sources: HUD on the minimum required investment and on minimum decision credit scores.
FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums (MIP)
Every FHA loan carries two mortgage insurance charges: a one-time upfront premium and an annual premium paid monthly. These are national figures set by HUD, not Maine figures.
| Premium | Rate | How It Is Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront (UFMIP) | 1.75% of the base loan amount | One-time premium |
| Annual, base loan up to $726,200, LTV above 95% | 55 basis points | Monthly, for the life of the loan |
| Annual, base loan up to $726,200, LTV above 90% up to 95% | 50 basis points | Monthly, for the life of the loan |
| Annual, base loan up to $726,200, LTV 90% or below | 50 basis points | Monthly, for 11 years |
| Annual, base loan above $726,200, LTV above 95% | 75 basis points | Monthly, for the life of the loan |
| Annual, base loan above $726,200, LTV above 90% up to 95% | 70 basis points | Monthly, for the life of the loan |
| Annual, base loan above $726,200, LTV 90% or below | 70 basis points | Monthly, for 11 years |
These rates apply to loans with a term longer than 15 years. Maine’s one-unit FHA limits are below $726,200 in every county; two-unit limits exceed it in Cumberland, Sagadahoc and York, and three- and four-unit limits exceed it everywhere. Source: HUD Mortgagee Letter 2023-05.
FHA vs. Conventional in Maine
With Maine’s conforming limit at $832,750 in all 16 counties, conventional financing reaches higher than FHA’s one-unit limit everywhere in the state.
| Factor | FHA | Conventional |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum down payment | 3.5% | 3%–20% (practical range) |
| Practical credit threshold | 580 | Set by lender |
| Mortgage insurance | Upfront plus annual; annual for the life of the loan above 90% LTV | Private mortgage insurance, which can be removed as equity builds |
| 2026 Maine limit | $541,287 or $615,250 by county | $832,750 in all counties |
| Best suited to | Thinner credit, limited savings | Stronger credit, or avoiding permanent mortgage insurance |
See our guide on how to remove PMI for how private mortgage insurance ends on a conventional loan.
Combining FHA with MaineHousing
An FHA loan and MaineHousing’s programs are not alternatives. MaineHousing’s First Home Loan can carry FHA mortgage insurance, with a 3.5% down payment, and Advantage funds may be used toward that required down payment.
| MaineHousing Program | Works With FHA | What It Adds |
|---|---|---|
| First Home Loan | Yes — FHA is one of the mortgage insurance options | Low fixed interest rate within income and purchase price limits |
| Advantage | Yes — may be used toward the required down payment | $5,000 toward the cash needed for closing, with no second mortgage |
| First Generation | Paired with the First Home Loan | $10,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance |
Pairing FHA with MaineHousing means meeting both sets of rules: FHA’s minimum investment and credit thresholds, and MaineHousing’s 640 credit minimum, first-time buyer rule, and income and purchase price limits. Check current terms in the MaineHousing First Home Program FAQs.
