A Walker & Dunlop perspective: Understanding the changes to Freddie Mac's Small Balance program

Freddie Mac launched Optigo Conventional Small in April 2026, replacing its Small Balance Loan program with loans ranging from $2 million to $10 million and integrating the product into Freddie Mac's core Conventional framework. The redesign increases the loan ceiling from $7.5 million to $10 million, creates clearer distinctions from Fannie Mae's Small Loan program, and consolidates documentation and policies while maintaining pricing as the key determinant of program fit for borrowers.