FHA VS Conventional loan programs in Ames, Story County, Iowa

During 2026, the conventional loan limit in Ames, located in Story county of IA, is defined as $726,200. Meanwhile, the FHA loan limit for a single-family home in the same area is $472,030. Knowing these figures is crucial for anyone considering buying a home, as they form the foundation of your financing plan and eligibility for different loan types.

Try out the Lendersa® Conventional loan calculator, an invaluable tool for comparing today's most favorable rates among Conventional, FHA, and USDA loans. This calculator not only helps to determine income requirements, credit standings, reserves, and necessary documents but also presents Conforming Conventional loans, USDA, FHA, and VA loans side by side. This view helps you decide which is the best program for your financial profile in IA.

Compare loan offers from 100 lenders today to find optimal terms that suit your needs.

2026 Loan Limits and Downpayment Requirements in Ames, Story, IA

Loan Type Loan Limit Down Payment
Conventional Conforming $726,200 3%
USDA $336,500 0%
FHA $472,030 3.5%

The table above is applicable to these zip codes: 50014. Please consider these when planning your financial strategy.

Explore Conventional and FHA Loan Options in Ames, IA

The mission of Lendersa® is to ensure you access the best possible Conventional, USDA, or FHA loan swiftly and without difficulties. Begin by selecting one of three starting points, each leading to lenders with loan programs that align with your unique requirements.

Lendersa USDA loan request and matching results


Ames Lenders

  • Vision Bank of Iowa
  • 104 Chestnut, Ames, IA, 50010
  • Lends in Iowa
  • VisionBank is dedicated to creating meaningful relationships with customers in each community and helping each community be the best that it can be. The bank offers full service retail, mortgage, consumer, commercial, commercial real estate, and agricultural deposit and lending products and services.

  • Howell Investment Finance
  • 510 S. 17th St, Suite 101 D, Ames, IA, 50010
  • Lends in Iowa
  • Howell Investment Finance will help you navigate the loan process to achieve the most rewarding outcome. To get the best deal on property financing, you need access to a wide variety of mortgages. Howell Investment Finance will connect you with choices such as HUD, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, conduit loans, bridge loans, and construction loans.

  • Greater Iowa Credit Union
  • 801 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA, 50010
  • Lends in Iowa
  • GICU is a proud credit union organized differently than banks and other financials. We're not-for-profit, member-owned and return net earnings to our members through higher yields, lower rates and greater overall returns on your hard-earned money.At GICU, about helping our members reach their financial goals and want to see them succeed.

  • Boone Bank & Trust Co.
  • 716 8th St, Boone, IA, 50036
  • Lends in Iowa
  • Boone Bank & Trust Co. is owned by Ames National Corporation (ANC) and is the largest locally owned bank in Boone County. The bank first began in 1883 making us one of the oldest banks within the ANC organization. In 1883 the bank was organized under the name of Boone County Bank. The bank operated until 1911 when it was sold.

  • Security State Bank
  • 207 Isabella Street, Radcliffe, IA, 50230
  • Lends in Iowa
  • Security State Bank (SSB) is one of the oldest banks in Iowa. On July 1, 1884 the Bank of Radcliffe was the 1st Bank to be established in Radcliffe, Iowa. In 1914, the bank was incorporated & the name was changed to Security State Bank. We are proud to be celebrating over 135 years of community service to the Hardin, Hamilton, & Story County areas.

  • Community Choice Credit Union
  • 8404 NW 62nd Ave, Johnston, IA, 50131
  • Lends in Iowa
  • Community Choice, we UNbank. That means doing things the big banks won’t. We’re a member-owned cooperative that was established and continues to operate on the principal of members helping members. We’re not owned by a holding company or some crazy, faceless conglomerate. We’re owned by over 50, 000 Iowans that are just like you.

  • Premier Lending Alliance
  • 8831 Thomas Ave, Suite 100, Johnston, IA, 50131
  • Lends in Iowa
  • In 2009, PLA began building its partnerships with credit unions throughout the Midwest. We are wholly owned by a credit union to serve our partnering financial institutions and their members. PLA is an Iowa mortgage CUSO providing mortgage loan products and services to credit unions .

  • Open Mortgage
  • 9708 Candleridge Cir, Johnston, IA, 50131
  • Lends in Iowa
  • Open Mortgage is a fast-growing national multi-channel mortgage lender that Empowers the American dream of homeownership. Since 2003 we strive to empower our loan originators and partners to be educators, helpers, doers to help change lives. This is why we come to work each day, ready to put people on a path to homeownership and a better life

  • Community State Bank - Des Moines, IA
  • PO Box 127, Ankeny, IA, 50021
  • Lends in Iowa
  • At Community State Bank, our name says it all. As a premier banking and financial services organization in central Iowa, we put our employees, clients and communities first - in everything we do. We strive to exceed this standard and care for the unique needs of our customers by providing industry-leading knowledge