What is a Conventional Loan?

 

A conventional loan is a mortgage that is not

backed by any Government agency such as

the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) or

Veterans Administration (VA). Conventional

loans meet the lending requirements of Fannie

Mae and Freddie Mac, the two largest buyers

of mortgage loans in the US.

Most conventional mortgages are issued by

private lenders who then sell the loan to one

of these Government Sponsored Entities

(GSE’s).

 

 

Conventional Loan Requirements Credit-

The minimum credit score requirement is

typically between 620-640 depending on the

lender.

 

Occupancy- Conventional loans can be used to finance a primary residence, a second home, vacation property or a rental property. This is in contrast to government-backed loan programs which can only be used to finance a primary residence.

 

Property Type- Single-family homes, duplexes, 2-4 unit properties,condominiums and townhouses are eligible.

 

Income- Income will be verified by reviewing recent pay check stubs, tax returns and W2s. Debt-to-income ratio must not exceed 43%.

 

Assets- Bank and investment statements will be verified to ensure the borrower has sufficient assets to close. These funds must be able to cover a down payment plus associated closing costs.

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Government-Backed Loans

 

Government-backed loans are issued by private lenders and guaranteed by the Federal Government with programs such as FHA or VA. Conventional loans are not insured by the government but by private mortgage insurance companies.

 

FHA Loans – An FHA mortgage is popular for it’s low 580 credit score requirements and 3.5%

down payment.

 

VA Loans – VA loans are for Veterans, they come with no downpayment or mortgage insurance.

 

USDA Loans – The Department of US Agriculture created the USDA guaranteed loan program for low-to-median income homebuyers in rural areas of the country.

 

 

Get Pre-Approved for a Home

 

Loan Conventional Loan Pros

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Higher loan limits than FHA

 

Adjustable-rate and fixed-rate loan terms available

 

No private mortgage insurance (PMI) with 80% loan-to-value ratio

 

Available for second homes and investment properties

 

PMI cancels when the LTV reaches 78%

 

Lower PMI rates than FHA

 

Conventional 97 with 3% down

 

Conventional Loan Cons

Credit score requirement is higher than FHA (minimum 620-640)

 

Higher down payment requirement  (5%-20%)

 

Qualifying guidelines are more strict

 

Low income borrowers may not qualify

 

A conventional loan may be a good fit for you if…

 

Minimum Fico credit score of 620

 

Have a 20% down payment

 

Want to avoid PMI by putting at least 20% down

 

Have a high income (low debt-to-income ratio)

 

Need a loan amount that is above the FHA loan limit

 

Check Today’s Mortgage Rates and Get a Quote

 

Down Payment Guidelines

 

There are no standard down payment guidelines for conventional financing. The minimum down payment is usually between 5% – 20% of the sales price.

 

The conventional 97 loan offers 97% financing, requiring just a 3% down payment.

 

Conventional mortgage loans with less than a 20% down payment and the mortgage is greater than 80% of the value of the home a private mortgage insurance policy is required.

 

A private mortgage insurance policy, or PMI, is an insurance policy that compensates the lender the difference between the 80% threshold and the amount of down payment should the loan ever go into default.

 

Conventional vs FHA Loans

 

FHA Loan Advantages

 

Easier to qualify for because of their low credit score and down payment requirements

 

Require just a 3.5% down payment making them an attractive option for first-time home buyers

 

Borrowers with a 580 credit score may qualify with just a 3.5% down payment

 

Higher DTI ratios accepted making them better for low-income borrowers

 

FHA Loan Disadvantages

 

FHA loans require mortgage insurance regardless of the down payment

 

In some cases PMI is required for the life of the loan

 

Limited to buying only homes that are approved for an FHA loan

 

Properties in need of repair will not qualify

 

May have higher interest rates
 

Non-Conforming Loans

 

Conforming loans are mortgage loans that are underwritten to standards issued by Government-backed entities Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and make up more than half of all mortgages issued today.

 

Loans that do not meet these requirements are non-conforming loans. This includes jumbo loans, portfolio loans, and investor loans.

 

Conventional Loan Limits

 

Conventional loan limit in low-cost areas is $453,100

 

Conventional loan limit in high-cost areas is $679,650

 

For a list of the maximum loan limit in your area click here.

 

In Conclusion…

 

Conventional loans make up over 60% of all home loans issued in the US. If you have a 20% down payment you can enjoy low interest rates and avoid mortgage insurance saving you thousands per year. With their higher credit score requirements conventional loans are more difficult for first-time homebuyers to qualify for. Do you think you’re ready to apply for a mortgage?

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