The Federal Housing Administration has played an important role in the recent housing and economic crisis by filling the gap left by private lenders. Major reforms in recent years and increased loan limits have greatly increased FHA’s market share. FHA insured almost 30 percent of single-family mortgages in 2009 and more than 50 percent of first-time buyer loans. Historically, FHA insures between 10 and 15 percent of all loans. Current FHA loan limits are as much as $729,750 in high-cost areas. Those limits are set to expire by year’s end and revert to lower amounts. If the current loan limits are not made permanent, NAR estimates that a decrease would negatively affect 612 counties in 40 states and the District of Columbia. To find out what FHA loan limits are in your area, visit https://entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/hicostlook.cfm.