HUD/FHA INCREASES MORTGAGE LIMITS IN LA PLATA COUNTY, COLORADO

DENVER - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development raised the La Plata County mortgage limit to a
new high for the area as of Mar. 19, 2004. This is in direct response to the current upward trend in home prices.

Purchasers may now borrow up to $230,850 for a one-unit, single family home in La Plata County using a loan
insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). The previous limit was $160,550 for a one-unit, single family home.

Median home prices in La Plata County have increased dramatically within the last few years. In many cases, we
find that purchasers are well qualified from the standpoint of income and credit, but they lack sufficient funds for
the size of down payment required on a conventional loan. Since the FHA program requires less of a down payment,
it affords more consumers the opportunity to purchase their dream home. The increased loan limits effectively open the market to more of those consumers. Local housing and mortgage professionals were instrumental in gathering
data on La Plata County housing prices and delivering the research to HUD to effect the change in the loan limit.

HUD Regional Director John Carson said, "Homeownership plays a vital role in creating strong communities by giving families a stake in their neighborhoods and helping them to build wealth. Increasing mortgage limits for FHA loans provides more opportunities for many first-time homebuyers."

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities, creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans, supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as
enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet
and espanol.hud.gov.

###