VA Home Loan Limits in Arizona: What Changed in 2020 and What It Means for You
The short answer most websites bury: since January 1, 2020, there is no VA loan limit for veterans with full entitlement.
That sentence changes everything if you've been told "the VA loan limit in Maricopa County is $806,500." That number is the conforming loan limit — it matters for lenders and for certain calculations, but it is not a cap on what you can borrow if your entitlement is intact. Veterans with full entitlement can buy a $1.5 million home with no down payment if a lender approves the income.
Where it gets more complicated is partial entitlement. If you have an active VA loan you haven't paid off, the calculation is different — and the conforming loan limit does come into play. Here's the full picture.
What Changed in 2020
The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 went into effect on January 1, 2020. Among other provisions, it eliminated VA loan limits for veterans with full entitlement — the first time the VA removed caps entirely since the loan guarantee program started in 1944.
Before 2020, the VA guaranteed loans only up to the conforming loan limit in each county. If a veteran wanted to buy above that limit with a VA loan, they needed a down payment equal to 25% of the difference. After 2020, veterans with full entitlement can borrow any amount with no down payment, subject only to lender approval.
The change did not eliminate the concept of loan limits entirely — it applies only to full entitlement. For partial entitlement, the conforming loan limit still plays a role in the calculation.
Full Entitlement: No Loan Limit
You have full entitlement when any of the following is true:
- You have never used a VA loan benefit
- You used a VA loan, paid it off in full, and had your entitlement restored
- You sold a home with a VA loan and the loan was paid off at closing
- Another eligible veteran assumed your VA loan and you were released from liability
With full entitlement, your Certificate of Eligibility will show either a blank in the entitlement amount section or a note that you have full benefits. Your borrowing is limited only by what a lender will approve based on your income, credit, and the property's value — not by any VA-imposed number.
FAQ
Is there a VA loan limit in 2026?
No — not for veterans with full entitlement. Since January 1, 2020, the VA removed loan limits for eligible veterans who have their full entitlement intact.
What is full VA entitlement?
Full entitlement means you have never used a VA loan, or you used one and it was paid off and your entitlement was restored.
What is the VA loan limit in Maricopa County?
There is no VA loan limit in Maricopa County for veterans with full entitlement. The 2025 conforming loan limit for Maricopa County is $806,500, which is used in partial entitlement calculations only.