Conventional Home Loan
Conventional loans are a great lower cost mortgage option for people who can afford to take advantage of some of its key benefits. They can work for conventional purchases including primary residences, second homes, or rentals, and can also work well for refinancing. They’re available in adjustable rate and fixed rate types depending on needs, and can have low down payment options for with mortgage insurance, and a 20% down payment without. We’ve highlighted the benefits of some different mortgage types within conventional home loans here.
Term options are more flexible and easier to customize and match to your financial needs
They can be used for many types of properties, from single-family homes to condominiums
Flexible term options could enable you to save money without extending the length of your loan
Manage your debts at the best possible rate
Consolidate other debt from multiple sources, like auto loans and credit cards, into a single payment and simplify your finances
Reduce or remove your mortgage insurance payments
Consolidate other debt from multiple sources, like auto loans and credit cards, into a single payment and simplify your finances
*By refinancing your existing loan, your total finance charges may be higher over the life of the loan.
Who Is Eligible for a Conventional Loan?
While products like VA, USDA and FHA loans are structured to make home buying possible for a wider range of people, conventional loans have somewhat more stringent standards. Qualifying for a conventional loan generally requires the borrower to show an overall stronger financial profile to the lender in order to qualify for some of the unique benefits.
A few of the key eligibility requirements include:
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- Good credit –Generally credit scores of 620 or higher depending on the transaction, though the FICO requirement may vary from lender to lender
- Minimum 3% down payment –While you may choose to pay as little as 3% down, an approximately 20% minimum down payment is required to eliminate the need for mortgage insurance
- Cash reserves –You should have at least two months cash reserves after closing to cover your loan costs
- Proof of income –You will need to show steady income to cover the cost of your loan and self-employed individuals will need to supply two years of tax returns
- Debt-to-income –Your debt-to-income ratio should be no more than 45%, but can go up to 50% in limited cases. This is the percentage of your monthly gross income that is paid out to recurring debts.
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Why Choose Us as Your Conventional Mortgage Broker?
Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer interested in a conventional home loan or looking to refinance your existing mortgage, we are equipped to help borrowers through each and every step of the conventional mortgage process. Interested to learn more about what South Main can do for you? Get your own customized quote today.
Why Do so Many Home Buyers Choose the 30-Year Fixed?
When most people think of mortgages, they think about 30-year fixed-rate loans. There are many reasons to choose this type of loan but the most popular is probably the security of knowing what you’ll be paying over the life of your loan. While some people know they will only be in their homes for a finite amount of time and an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) will save them money, many prefer the stability of a fixed-rate loan.
What Kind of Properties Can I Buy with a Conventional Mortgage?
Conventional mortgages are relatively versatile loan products that can be used for a wide range of different types of properties, including vacation or investment properties. Some of the properties you can finance with a conventional mortgage include:
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- Single family homes (attached/detached homes)
- Planned Unit Developments (attached/detached homes within a homeowner’s association)
- 2-, 3-, and 4-unit properties
- Condominiums
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Can I Get a Second Mortgage to Eliminate PMI?
Piggyback mortgages are second-lien mortgages used to “piggyback” off the first-lien mortgage on a home purchase. These are popular because they help buyers avoid private mortgage insurance when they’re not able to meet the 20% down payment threshold. Piggyback mortgages are primarily portfolio loans and as such the qualifying criteria can vary considerably from lender to lender.