The ultimate guide to
Conventional Loans
The Benefits of a Conventional Loan
Conventional loan programs are designed to meet the needs of today’s home buyer.
Explore Conventional Loans
If you’re ready to learn more about conventional loans, you’re in the right place! Conventional loans are an excellent match for a buyer with a decent credit score and some savings for a down payment.
Explore our online resources and start finding answers to your questions about loans. In this ultimate guide to conventional loans, you will find details about interest rates, the pros and cons of different loans, lender options, and so much more.
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All Conventional Loan Resources
General
What are the benefits of a conventional loan?
Conventional loans offer home buyers many benefits, including low down payment options, the option to cancel mortgage insurance, and the option to finance multiple property types (e.g., investment, vacation, or primary residences). Explore all conventional loan products and benefits here.
Is there a difference between conforming and conventional loans?
Every conventional loan is a conforming loan, and a conforming loan is a type of conventional loan that conforms to guidelines regulated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). Some conventional home loans are non-conforming, meaning that a government agency does not back them. Learn more about conforming vs. conventional loans.
Are Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac conventional loans?
FNMA (Federal National Mortgage Association), more commonly known as Fannie Mae and FHLMC (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation) or Freddie Mac, are federally backed mortgage companies that regulate and purchase conforming conventional loans. Learn more about each organization and the definition of a conventional mortgage loan here.
Can you use down payment assistance with a conventional loan?
Yes, down payment assistance in the form of a gift, grant, or second mortgage loan can be used in conjunction with a conventional loan to offset down payment and closing costs. A conventional loan down payment offers home buyers great flexibility on where the money for the mortgage down payment comes from.
What is the downside of a conventional loan?
Conventional loans typically have tighter guidelines around credit score and debt-to-income ratio requirements when compared to FHA, VA, or USDA home loan programs. You will need to have higher credit scores to qualify for a conventional loan. Read more about the pros and cons of a conventional loan here.
Is a conventional loan good?
Conventional loans are a great financing option for buyers that meet conventional loan requirements. Once we review your mortgage application, including your credit report, your mortgage lender can help determine if a conventional loan is a good solution for your financial situation.
Do lenders prefer conventional loans?
We do not have a preference when it comes to loan type. The ultimate goal for every Mortgage Loan Originator is to help their client finance their home with a loan product that best suits their financial situation. Once you complete your loan application, your mortgage loan officer or lender will have all the information they need to recommend the best loan products and help you achieve your goal of buying a home.
Qualification
What are the requirements for a conventional loan?
A conventional mortgage requires a credit score above 620 and a debt-to-income ratio below 45%. Conventional mortgage down payment requirements range from 3% to 20%. Your conventional loan eligibility will depend on your credit score and financial situation. If you aren't sure if you'll qualify for a loan, talk with a lender who can help determine your eligibility and walk you through the home buying process. Learn more about qualifying for a conventional loan here.
What are the down payment requirements for a conventional loan?
Down payment requirements for a conventional loan can range from 3% to 20%. If you’d like to cancel PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance), a 20% down payment is required. If you purchase a vacation home or an investment property, a 10% down payment is needed. Learn more about down payment options for a conventional home loan here.
What is the minimum credit score for a conventional loan?
The minimum credit score needed to qualify for a conventional mortgage loan is 620. Aim to improve your credit score as much as possible before applying for a conventional loan. A higher credit score will result in more favorable mortgage terms like lower mortgage insurance premiums or a lower interest rate. If you aren't sure how to improve your credit score, you can talk with a lender who can advise you on how to manage your credit cards, debt, and other financial liabilities to improve your credit score. Learn more about conventional loan credit score requirements.
Types of Conventional Loans
Are there different types of conventional loans?
Yes, conventional loans can be conforming or non-conforming. You can also have a conventional fixed-rate mortgage or an adjustable-rate. Conventional fixed-rate mortgages are when the interest rate on your mortgage doesn't change. Whereas an adjustable-rate mortgage is when the interest rate changes periodically. For low down payment conventional loans, there’s HomeReady and Home Possible. And finally, the Homestyle Renovation loan can be used to finance a home renovation.
What is a 5% down conventional loan?
Conventional loans offer the option to provide a down payment as low as 3%, but if a buyer doesn’t meet the requirements for a HomeReady or Home Possible 3% conventional loan, a 5% down payment is the next best option. Learn more about 5% down conventional loans.
What is a HomeReady conventional loan?
A HomeReady conventional loan is offered by Fannie Mae, and it gives conventional loan buyers the option to finance a home with a 3% down payment. Learn more about this program here
What is a Home Possible conventional loan?
A Home Possible conventional loan is offered by Freddie Mac and it gives conventional loan buyers the option to finance a home 3% down. Learn more about this program here.
What is a Homestyle Renovation loan?
A Homestyle renovation loan is offered by Fannie Mae, and it gives home buyers the option to finance the cost of renovations using the benefits of a conventional loan. Learn more about this program here.
What’s the difference between an adjustable and a fixed-rate conventional mortgage?
If your conventional mortgage is a fixed-rate, that means that you’re locked into the same interest rate for the life of your loan. With an adjustable-rate, your rate is locked in for a set number of years, and after that timeframe, your rate adjusts to current market conditions. Weigh the pros and cons of a fixed vs. adjustable rate mortgage here.
Rates
What is a common conventional loan interest rate?
Conventional loan interest rates will vary depending on a variety of factors. Conventional loan rates depend on factors such as the market rates, lender, your financial situation and credit score, the mortgage amount, and down payment. You can use a mortgage calculator to give you an estimate of different interest rates and how they will impact your mortgage. Learn more about what impacts mortgage interest rates here.
Conventional Loan Rules & Guidelines
How many conventional loans can you have?
You can have up to 10 conventional loans at once. However, you must be able to qualify for more than one mortgage at a time. Learn more about having more than one conventional loan here.
Do you have to pay private mortgage insurance with a conventional loan?
No, once there’s 20% equity in the home, private mortgage insurance is no longer necessary with a conventional loan. Learn more about conventional loan private mortgage insurance here.
Does PMI go away on conventional loans?
Yes, if you put less than 20% down on your conventional loan, you may be required to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI), but mortgage insurance can be canceled once there’s 20% equity in the home. Explore PMI removal strategies here.
Is a home inspection required for a conventional loan?
No, you are not required to complete a home inspection to get a conventional mortgage. However, it is wise to move forward with a home inspection to determine the home's condition before finalizing your purchase, and we explain why here.
Can you use a conventional loan for an investment property?
Yes, unlike FHA, USDA, and VA loan programs, a conventional loan doesn’t have to be used to purchase a primary residence. You can also use a conventional mortgage to buy a second home or a vacation property. Mortgages for conventional loans provide more options to meet your home buying needs.
Is there a 90-day flip rule for conventional loans?
Unlike FHA’s 90-day flip rule, conventional loans do not require you to own the home for 90 days. Instead, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac require an appraisal to confirm the home's market value to ensure that the flipped property will sell at a fair price.
Can I pay my own property taxes and insurance on a conventional loan?
Yes, an escrow waiver can be applied to a conventional loan if you have more than 20% equity in your home. Learn more about escrow waivers here.
Are there conventional loan limits?
Yes, conventional loan limits conform to the guidelines set by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Conforming loan limits determine the max loan amount that a home buyer can finance with a conventional loan in their county. Learn more about conventional loan limits here.
How are the limits on conventional loans set?
Conventional loan limits are set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) each year in November. The FHFA House Price Index (FHFA HPI ®) measures the average price changes of single-family homes in the US. FHFA uses the data to ensure that the conforming loan limits adjust to accommodate financing a house with a conforming conventional loan in the current real estate climate. Limits are established to help prevent people from getting loans that they can't afford to pay back. Mortgage limits protect both the consumer and lender.
Can I have a co-borrower or co-signer on a conventional loan?
Yes, in fact, the co-borrower doesn’t have to live in the home with the borrower if they are financing with a conventional loan. This type of co-signer is known as a non-occupying co-borrower. The non-occupant co-borrower must be a relative of the home buyer. Learn more about rules for co-borrowers here.
Is there an acreage limit on conventional loans?
There’s no limit to the amount of acreage that a home sits on with conventional financing. However, the appraiser must confirm that the property is classified as residential and not intended for commercial or business use. Agricultural properties like farms or ranches may require commercial financing. Commercial loans are required for business property.
How long do I need to wait before qualifying for a conventional loan after bankruptcy?
You will need to wait four years from a dismissed or discharged chapter 7 bankruptcy. The waiting period with chapter 13 bankruptcy is two years from the discharge date or four years from a dismissed bankruptcy.
How long do I need to wait before qualifying for a conventional loan after foreclosure?
Conventional mortgages typically require a waiting period of seven years after a foreclosure. However, there are exceptions to this rule under specific circumstances. Learn more about those exceptions and how conventional loans view a past foreclosure here.
How long do I need to wait before qualifying for a conventional loan after a short sale?
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac require a 4 year waiting period after a short sale unless there’s a documented extenuating circumstance. If there’s an extenuating circumstance, a 2 year waiting period may apply. Learn more about short sale waiting periods here.
Can the seller pay closing costs when using a conventional loan?
Yes, a seller can pay between 3-9% of closing costs on a conventional loan. The percentage amount will depend on the size of the down payment provided by the buyer. Learn more about seller-paid closing costs here.
Can you flip a home and finance it with a conventional loan?
The short answer is yes, but it can be challenging to flip a property with traditional financing. Learn more about financing a flip with a conventional loan.
Can you finance a new construction home with a conventional loan?
Yes, and your options vary depending on the type of new construction home. If you’re hoping to finance a pre-built new construction property, a traditional conventional mortgage will get the job done. If you’re hoping to finance the build of a new construction home, you will need a conventional construction-to-permanent loan.
Can I rent my house with a conventional loan?
Yes, but you’ll need to live in the home as a primary residence for one year or more before converting the home into a rental property. Check with your lender to confirm your current mortgage agreement terms to avoid committing occupancy fraud. Learn more about renting your home with a conventional loan in this article.
Loan Program Comparison
How do conventional loans compare to USDA loans?
Unlike conventional loans, USDA loans do not require a down payment. However, to obtain a USDA loan, your home must be located in a USDA eligible area, and you must not exceed the USDA household income limits. Conventional loans do not have a household income limit. Check out our full comparison guide for both mortgage options here.
How do conventional loans compare to VA loans?
VA loans are exclusive to active military, veterans, and surviving spouses while conventional loans can be used by any type of buyer. Also, VA loans do not require a down payment, while conventional loans require a minimum down payment of 3%. Learn more about all the ways in which these loan programs compare and contrast here.
Which is a better loan, FHA or conventional?
Both loan programs are great options for home financing. It really comes down to which loan program best fits your unique financial situation. Learn more about how FHA mortgages compare to conventional mortgages here.
How does a conventional loan compare to a jumbo loan?
Jumbo loans come into play when a home buyer wants to purchase a home at a price point that’s higher than the current conforming loan limits. Learn more about jumbo loan vs. conventional loan financing.
Conventional Loan Refinance
Can you refinance a conventional loan?
Yes, you can refinance a conventional loan. Learn more about your options for mortgage refinancing here.
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