HUD/FHA INCREASES MORTGAGE LIMITS IN GARFIELD COUNTY, COLORADO

DENVER - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will raise the Garfield County mortgage limits to
a new high for the area Oct. 26, 2006. The change is in direct response to the current upward trend in home prices.

Purchasers will be able to borrow up to $298,839 for a one-unit, single family home in Garfield County using a loan insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). The previous limit was $222,143 for a one-unit, single family home.

Median home prices in Garfield 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 Garfield 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 and providing
more relaxed requirements for FHA loans removes two major obstacles 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.

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