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Reviewed by David Ghazaryan, Mortgage Broker, NMLS 1486726 · iQRATE Mortgages, company NMLS 1862492 · Last updated: November 12, 2026
Quick answer: An FHA loan is a mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration and made by an approved lender. For a one-unit home in Webb County, the 2026 FHA limit on our Texas pages is $541,287, against a $832,750 conforming limit. iQRATE Mortgages is a licensed Texas mortgage broker that compares more than 100 lenders on complex files, so we can shop an FHA file across wholesale lenders instead of one bank's menu. We broker loans; we are not the lender. Start with the secure application or call (702) 766-3744. This page is general information and not a commitment to lend.
5.0 stars from 87 reviews on Experience.com (October 2026) · Read David's reviews on Experience.com
HUD publishes FHA forward-mortgage limits by county each year in its CY2026 forward limits file. Webb County, which holds Laredo, sits at the standard one-unit floor. Here is how it compares with other Texas counties on our FHA loans page:
| Texas county (one-unit home) | 2026 FHA limit | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Webb (Laredo) | $541,287 | Conforming limit here is $832,750 |
| Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery | $541,287 | Same floor as Webb |
| El Paso, Bell | $541,287 | Same floor as Webb |
| Bexar | $557,750 | Above the floor |
| Dallas, Collin, Tarrant | $563,500 | Above the floor |
| Travis | $571,550 | Above the floor |
Questions on a specific address? Call (702) 766-3744. By simple subtraction from the table, Webb County's FHA limit is $16,463 below Bexar's, $22,213 below Dallas, Collin and Tarrant, and $30,263 below Travis, while the $832,750 conforming limit sits $291,463 above Webb's FHA limit. That gap is why buyers at higher prices sometimes compare FHA with conventional.
The limit caps the base loan amount, not the price you can offer. Your actual maximum depends on your down payment, the lender and the appraisal. Confirm the number for your property in HUD's file before you write an offer, or call (702) 766-3744 and we will check it with you.
Texas property taxes are high, often 2% or more of value before exemptions, so escrow can be a larger share of an FHA payment than the mortgage insurance. Laredo is split between school districts, and that choice moves the bill more than most buyers expect. These 2025 rates come from the public sources behind our Laredo mortgage broker page:
| Taxing unit | 2025 rate per $100 of value |
|---|---|
| City of Laredo | $0.50609 |
| Laredo ISD | $1.1568 |
| United ISD | $0.721655 |
| Webb County | $0.3825 |
| Laredo College | $0.229249 |
A home sits in either Laredo ISD or United ISD, not both. United ISD's rate is lower than Laredo ISD's for 2025, and most north Laredo subdivisions are in United ISD, while many central and south Laredo homes are in Laredo ISD. The school homestead exemption is $140,000 for 2025, and owner-occupants also get a 10% cap on yearly appraisal increases after the first year. Because FHA requires a primary residence, those owner-occupant exemptions are usually available to FHA buyers. We price escrow for the actual address, so ask which district the lot is in before you fall in love with a house. Call (702) 766-3744 to get started.
An FHA appraisal doubles as a safety and condition review, so peeling paint or a roof near the end of its life can stall a file. If repairs are the point of the purchase, ask us about a renovation loan that finances them at closing.
The CFPB's FHA loan guide explains the basics. In plain terms, FHA is built for buyers who want a smaller down payment or whose credit is still recovering.
| FHA feature | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Credit score | FHA sets score tiers that affect the minimum down payment, and many lenders set their own minimum above FHA's. Because we shop many lenders, a file one lender turns away may fit another. |
| Down payment funds | The whole down payment can be a gift from family and some other sources. |
| Seller concessions | Sellers may contribute toward closing costs and prepaids, within FHA limits. |
| Occupancy | Primary residence only. FHA is not an investment-property loan. |
| Mortgage insurance | FHA charges an upfront premium and an annual premium paid monthly. |
| Co-borrowers | A non-occupant co-borrower, such as a family member, can help with FHA and conventional loans. |
| Medical collections | Under FHA guidelines, unpaid medical collection balances are left out of the debt-ratio calculation. New collections opened during escrow can still stop approval. |
Many FHA denials come from an individual lender's overlays rather than FHA eligibility, which is one reason a broker that compares lenders matters. Details change, so we confirm current rules against HUD's published guidance, including HUD Mortgagee Letter 2025-23, Mortgagee Letter 2023-05 and HUD news release 25-145.
With a strong credit score and 5% or more down, conventional PMI can cost less than FHA MIP and can be removed later. With a lower score, higher debt or a recent credit event, FHA is often cheaper or the only option. We price both with the same down payment and show the 5- and 10-year cost, so you compare real totals. Call us at (702) 766-3744 to request that comparison.
| Loan | Best fit | Laredo-specific note |
|---|---|---|
| FHA | Lower scores, higher debt, smaller down payment, primary residence | Webb County limit $541,287 |
| Conventional | Strong credit and more down; PMI can be removed later | Conforming limit $832,750 |
| VA | Eligible veterans and service members | Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol and other federal agencies employ many Laredo residents; VA funding fees are waived for veterans with service-connected disability ratings |
| Bank statement | Self-employed buyers, including owner-operators with large write-offs | Trucking and freight work is common; Schedule C lenders use net income |
| ITIN | Buyers who file with an ITIN | Non-QM programs, with terms that vary by lender |
| Jumbo | Loan amounts above the conforming limit | Above $832,750 in Webb County |
Laredo is the busiest land port on the US-Mexico border, with the World Trade Bridge and the Colombia Solidarity Bridge carrying much of the truck traffic, so many buyers work for freight forwarders, customs brokers, warehouses and trucking firms. Truck drivers and logistics workers with per-diem pay need that income documented over two years. Income from a business in Mexico can be hard to document, and lenders usually need US tax returns showing it. If your income is paid in pesos, lenders convert it and want proof it is stable. Federal workers have stable pay lenders like, and overtime and locality pay count with a history.
Gather two years of US tax returns, a year-to-date profit and loss statement if you are self-employed, and bank statements, then call (702) 766-3744 to get started. If FHA does not fit, ask about other Laredo programs on our broker page.
Closing costs are what it costs you to get the loan: origination, discount points, appraisal, and escrow and title. Cash to close also includes your prepaids (first-year homeowners insurance, daily interest to month-end, and an escrow deposit for future property taxes and insurance) plus your down payment. Prepaids are your own bills paid ahead, not a cost of the loan.
Your actual costs depend on county, price and loan type, so every line is itemized on your Loan Estimate rather than quoted as a range. Our About page explains how we work.
| Item | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 FHA limit, one-unit, Webb County | $541,287 | HUD, via our FHA page |
| 2026 conforming limit, Webb County | $832,750 | FHFA, via our Laredo page |
| Laredo ISD vs United ISD tax rate (2025, per $100) | $1.1568 vs $0.721655 | Public tax-rate sources on our Laredo page |
| School homestead exemption (2025) | $140,000 | Same |
| Yearly appraisal cap after the first year | 10% | Texas homestead rules, same page |
| Typical tax escrow collected at closing | 2–6 months | Depends on closing month |
| Cash-out limit on a Texas homestead | 80% of value | Section 50(a)(6) |
| Typical Texas property tax before exemptions | 2% or more of value | Our FHA page |
| Lenders we can compare on complex files | More than 100 | iQRATE |
| Laredo ZIPs we lend in | 78040, 78041, 78043, 78045, 78046 | Our Laredo page |
| Taxing units listed for Laredo (city, two school districts, county, college) | 5 rates | Public tax-rate sources on our Laredo page |
| City of Laredo vs Webb County rate (2025, per $100) | $0.50609 vs $0.3825 | Same |
| Texas counties compared in the limit table above | 11 counties, 4 distinct FHA limits | HUD, via our FHA page |
| Webb FHA limit vs Bexar, Dallas/Collin/Tarrant, Travis | $16,463, $22,213 and $30,263 lower | Subtraction from the HUD limits above |
| Conforming limit minus Webb FHA limit | $291,463 | Subtraction from the limits above |
| Laredo ISD rate above United ISD rate (2025, per $100) | $0.435145 | Subtraction from the rates above |
| Experience.com rating | 5.0 stars, 87 reviews (October 2026) | Experience.com |
These are verbatim company-wide reviews from clients in other markets. They are not from Laredo-area buyers.
"We are very thankful for the excellent and extremely fast help from David Ghazaryan! As first-time home buyers we couldn't imagine a better experience. We love our new Green Valley home and recommend David Ghazaryan and his team to everyone who is looking to buy a house."
"David was very professional and went above and beyond to help me purchase my first home. He was very knowledgeable, experienced, and thorough. Anytime I had concerns, he was always there to patiently answer all my questions. I highly recommend David if you are looking to purchase a home."
"A few months ago we bought our first house. We were so fortunate to have David. He explained so many things that we did not understand, literally took the time to explain our options and why they would or would not work for us. He made us feel comfortable with our decision. We definitely would recommend his entire team, everyone was so wonderful and helpful."
See more on our reviews page.
David Ghazaryan, in his own words: "I've seen investors spend weeks negotiating a purchase price and then barely examine the financing terms. They focus on the interest rate. I look at the entire transaction: cash invested, monthly carrying costs, reserves, prepayment penalties, and the exit strategy." That is why we compare programs side by side before you choose.
FHA qualifies on your paystub with one owner-occupied home. If your goal is a rental, DSCR qualifies on the property's rent instead. See our Laredo DSCR loans page for rental purchases across Laredo, or the DSCR hub, investor loans, portfolio loans and serial investor loans pages.
For 2026, $541,287 for a one-unit home. The conforming limit is $832,750. Check HUD's limits file for your property type.
No. FHA requires a primary residence. For rentals, see our DSCR options above.
For 2025, United ISD's rate ($0.721655 per $100) is lower than Laredo ISD's ($1.1568 per $100). Confirm the district for the specific address.
Owner-occupants get the homestead exemption and a 10% cap on yearly appraisal increases after the first year. FHA requires owner occupancy.
No. iQRATE Mortgages is a mortgage broker. We compare lenders and place your file with one that fits, and loan approval is up to the lender.
Under FHA guidelines, unpaid medical collection balances are left out of the debt-ratio calculation, but new collections opened during escrow can still stop approval. Individual lender overlays vary.
A non-occupant co-borrower can help with FHA and conventional loans, subject to lender and FHA rules.
Look us up on NMLS Consumer Access using company NMLS 1862492 or David Ghazaryan's NMLS 1486726.
Start your application or call (702) 766-3744. Prefer to review your options first? Use the contact page, or read our FHA loans overview.
Contact David Ghazaryan's team: call (702) 766-3744, request a callback on the contact page, or start the secure application to get your FHA file reviewed. Call today to ask about your county limit, your school district and your documents, and contact us with any question before you apply.
iQRATE Mortgages · Company NMLS 1862492 · David Ghazaryan, Mortgage Broker, NMLS 1486726 · Licensed in Nevada, California, Texas and Florida. Equal Housing Opportunity. Call (702) 766-3744. iQRATE is a mortgage broker, not a lender. Programs, rates and terms change and are subject to credit, property and underwriting approval. This page is general information, not tax or legal advice, and not a commitment to lend. Local facts come from the public sources linked above.
