West Virginia FHA Loan Requirements 2026
2026 FHA loan limits for all 55 West Virginia counties, including Jefferson County’s national-ceiling limit, one-to-four unit figures, HUD’s credit and minimum investment rules, how FHA mortgage insurance works, and how FHA pairs with WVHDF programs.
West Virginia FHA Loan Limits by County (2026)
FHA sets its limits by county and by the number of units in the property. In West Virginia, 54 of the 55 counties sit at the CY2026 national floor, and Jefferson County — part of the Washington, DC metro area — sits at the national ceiling.
| County Group | One Unit | Two Units | Three Units | Four Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54 West Virginia counties (national floor) | $541,287 | $693,050 | $837,700 | $1,041,125 |
| Jefferson (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro) | $1,249,125 | $1,599,375 | $1,933,200 | $2,402,625 |
Confirm any county before relying on it at the HUD FHA Mortgage Limits lookup, selecting Limit Type “FHA Forward” and Limit Year CY2026.
West Virginia FHA Loan Requirements
FHA rules are federal, so they do not change between West Virginia 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 in 54 counties | $1,249,125 in Jefferson County |
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 West Virginia 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. For one-unit homes, the higher bands come into play in West Virginia only in Jefferson County, where the limit exceeds $726,200; three- and four-unit limits exceed it in every county. Source: HUD Mortgagee Letter 2023-05.
FHA vs. Conventional in West Virginia
With West Virginia’s conforming limit at $832,750 in 54 counties and the FHA floor at $541,287, conventional financing reaches higher almost everywhere. In Jefferson County both limits sit at $1,249,125.
| Factor | FHA | Conventional |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum down payment | 3.5% | 3%–20% (practical range) |
| Practical credit threshold | 580 | 620 |
| 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 West Virginia limit | $541,287 in 54 counties; $1,249,125 in Jefferson | $832,750 in 54 counties; $1,249,125 in Jefferson |
| 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 WVHDF Programs
An FHA loan and WVHDF’s programs are not alternatives. WVHDF accepts FHA mortgage insurance on its first mortgages, and its Low Down Home Loan can sit alongside a WVHDF Homeownership or Movin’ Up first mortgage.
| WVHDF Program | Works With FHA | What It Adds |
|---|---|---|
| Homeownership Program first mortgage | Yes — FHA insurance accepted | 30-year fixed rate within county income and house price limits |
| Movin’ Up Program first mortgage | Yes — FHA insurance accepted | No first-time buyer requirement; $171,120 income limit |
| Low Down Home Loan | Yes, with a WVHDF first mortgage | Up to $12,000, 15-year second mortgage at 2% |
Pairing FHA with WVHDF means meeting both sets of rules: FHA’s minimum investment and credit thresholds, and WVHDF’s income and house price limits. On FHA loans, WVHDF says to follow FHA’s own homebuyer education guidelines. Check current terms with the West Virginia Housing Development Fund.
