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  1. eHow
  2. Real Estate & Investment
  3. Mortgage Loan Types
  4. Conventional Mortgages

Conventional Mortgages

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  • Does Seller-Held Financing Require a Bank?

    When buying a house, using seller financing can be done without the assistance of a bank. With this process, you borrow the money for your mortgage directly from the seller of the property. This strategy can be effective when you don't qualify for a traditional mortgage and when you can find a seller willing to offer it.

  • Are There 100% FHA Mortgages?

    There are 100 percent FHA mortgages, though they are not the norm in this non-conventional mortgage sector. The Bush administration led passage of the Zero Downpayment Act of 2004, which gave FHA-approved mortgage lenders the option of offering zero percent down payment loans to first-time homebuyers. As of May 2011, several lenders maintain 100 percent financing for first-time homebuyer FHA loans.

  • Can You Claim Rental As Income for FHA USDA & Conventional Loans?

    Most mortgage lenders regularly allow homeowners who receive rental income to use it when qualifying for a home. Often this depends upon what type of rental income is received and where the homeowner wants to apply the rental income. Loans underwritten to conventional, Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and the United Stated Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development (RD) program allow homeowners to use rental income to qualify in some situations.

  • What Is an FHA Rehab Loan?

    An FHA rehab loan -- also known as an FHA 203(k) mortgage -- is a specialized loan designed for individuals who want to purchase a property in need of renovations. With a traditional mortgage, individuals receive money to buy a home, but must provide their own finances for any rehab work. With an FHA rehab loan, however, the money for renovations is included and placed in escrow account until closing.

  • Size of a Conventional Mortgage

    The maximum size of a conventional mortgage loan varies based on whether the loan is a conforming or non-conforming loan. Conventional loans that are conforming must adhere to Fannie Mae-issued guidelines on maximum loan amounts. Non-conforming loans include jumbo loans, which are loans that exceed Fannie Mae guidelines.

  • How to Refinance a Balloon Loan

    Balloon loans feature a series of monthly payments that do not fully pay off the loan, with a large final payment at the end of the balloon term. Refinancing a balloon loan is typically not a difficult transaction, unless there is a clause in your original loan document that prohibits it, or if you've had trouble making the payments on the loan. For a balloon mortgage loan, the monthly payments usually are amortized over a long period, typically 30 years, with the final payment due in three, five, seven or 10 years. In some cases, a predetermined interest rate is…

  • Who Can Qualify for a Mortgage?

    Mortgage qualification is one of the most important stages in purchasing a home. Buyers submit their financial information to the lender, and the lender examines it closely to see if the buyer can qualify to purchase a specific home or borrow a certain amount of money. Mortgage qualification is very relative. Almost anyone can qualify for a very low mortgage, but the higher the necessary mortgage amount, the better the borrower's financial situation must be. There are several factors that are of significant interest to lenders.

  • What to Know About Mortgage Loans

    A mortgage is a type of home loan that buyers use in order to purchase property. Most mortgage lenders are large organizations like banks that make a profit by collecting interest from the loans and selling mortgages to investment companies. The precise rules that govern mortgages vary between states and lenders, but there are several things that all mortgages have in common.

  • What Is a HELOC Home Mortgage?

    A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is sometimes known as a second mortgage. If you need to borrow money for any reason, whether related to your home or not, a HELOC allows you to borrow money at a low interest rate by securing the loan with your home equity.

  • Need Mortgage Downpayment Funding

    The costs of buying property can be staggering. Not only are there closing, inspection and insurance bills, but in many cases, you are also expected to come up with a down payment. Typically, property buyers are prohibited from borrowing a down payment, but there are several alternatives you can use to fund your down payment.

  • What Can a 203K Mortgage Buy?

    The Federal Housing Administration's (FHA) 203(k) loan program provides funds to repair or rehabilitate eligible residential property. Homeowners and homebuyers may use this program when financing the repairs or complete rehabilitation of a home. Homeowners must work with an FHA-approved lender and meet all of FHA guidelines. Either the home must be an owner-occupied home, or the borrower must be an approved nonprofit agency.

  • What Is a Non-Conventional Loan?

    A conventional loan is a mortgage loan that is not guaranteed or insured by the government. Non-conventional loans are loans that are guaranteed by the government. They include loan programs offered by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

  • Will I Qualify for a Mortgage?

    People in the market for a new property may question whether they're able to qualify for a mortgage loan. Several factors impact home loan approvals, and lenders will reject applications if a borrower doesn't meet their requirements. Learn the basics of qualifying for a mortgage loan to improve the likelihood of an approval.

  • What Is the Combined Loan-to-Value Ratio?

    Prior to issuing a mortgage with a first or second lien position, your lender will check several risk factors. Some indicators used to determine risk are your credit, your ability to pay and the ratio of liens secured against real estate that you own or want to buy. A combined loan-to-value of 80 percent or less, generally provides a lender with a cushion against losses should a default lead to a home foreclosure.

  • Construction-to-Permanent Mortgages

    A construction-to-permanent mortgage consists of a construction loan and a mortgage. It provides funding for homeowners who wish to build their own properties. After the completion of construction, these loans become regular mortgages. Construction-to-permanent mortgages have several advantages, but homeowners also take on some risks.

  • What is the Difference Between USDA, FHA & Conventional Mortgages?

    Over the years, several alternatives to conventional mortgages have arisen. Two of these variations are Federal Housing Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture loans. While the average borrower may be aware of these types of mortgages, he may not understand the difference. Each variation carries its own specific set of criteria that may or may not suit the borrower's needs.

  • When to Renew a Mortgage

    Refinancing is the process of replacing your existing mortgage with a new loan bearing different terms. You might be excited at the opportunity to reduce your interest rate or do away with a loan with inconvenient terms, but refinancing is not always the best option. To know the best time to renew, or refinance your mortgage loan, you should have clear financial goals.

  • DIY Mortgage Refinance

    Bad credit and negative equity may prevent banks or other mortgage lenders from honoring your loan request to refinance an adjustable-rate loan. However, you may be able to do it yourself if you have friends or family members who are looking for opportunities to gain a higher return on their money. Your ability to refinance without the assistance of a lender could help you exit a dire mortgage scenario while providing additional interest income for a family member.

  • What Do You Need to Have for Loans?

    No matter what type of loan you are applying for, there are a few basic things you may be asked to supply during the application process. For example, a secured loan will often require the borrower to put up collateral to protect the lender's investment. Before applying for a loan, take time to determine exactly how much you need, so you can present the lender with accurate details of how the money you borrow will be spent.

  • Home Equity Vs. Conventional Mortgage

    Buying a house rather than renting helps build financial security. When your mortgage is paid off, not having to make a monthly payment is like getting a raise at your job. Also, as you pay down your mortgage, you are building equity into your home, and you can tap into that equity should the need arise.

  • How to Renew a Mortgage Loan

    As a well-qualified mortgage candidate who has maintained a stable job and always paid your bills on time, you might want to eliminate your above-market interest rate. You may find better terms in the current lending environment when compared to the year in which you obtained your mortgage loan. You can explore several options to renew your home loan. Some homeowners consider a refinance or renewal of existing mortgage terms as a method of obtaining a fresh start.

  • Conventional Mortgage Characteristics

    The mortgage market has never been more crowded with confusing products than it is now. Terms like "adjustable rate" "sub-prime" and "reverse" have been tacked on to mortgages, leading many to wonder what a regular, conventional mortgage actually is, how it works, and who can most benefit from it.

  • Conventional Mortgage Limits

    Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are government-created companies that buy residential mortgages from banks and other loan originators. The two companies have become the nation's largest mortgage investors. They meet annually to review and set conforming loan limits for the loans they buy. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will not buy any loan that exceeds these limits.

  • What Is a Combined Loan-to-Value?

    The idea behind a mortgage loan is that the borrower mortgages the property to the lender as collateral in case of default. The lender needs to know the strength of the security. Of course, the property's physical condition and appearance are important factors. Loan-to-Value, known as LTV, and Combined Loan-to-Value, or CLTV, are a mathematical approach to the security's strength. Anyone seeking a loan for a home or business property must clearly understand these concepts.

  • How to Insure a 203K Property

    The Federal Housing Administration's 203K designation signifies a loan program for the rehabilitation and repair of single-family homes. You can receive a 203K loan through an FHA-approved lending institution, and you can borrow up to $35,000. Of course, as with any real estate loan program, you will be required to insure the home.

  • How Do I Get Out of My Conventional ARM Loan?

    An adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) can be a risky type of loan if you are facing the chance that your current interest rate could go up significantly over time. There are a number of options that can help you get out of an ARM and into a fixed-rate loan.

  • 203K FHA Vs. Conventional Rehab Mortgage

    In some housing markets, affordable homes come at a high price. In exchange for a low-priced home, a buyer must invest extra time and money in rehabilitating the neglected, abandoned or vandalized property just to bring it up to standard. Home owners may also need to perform extensive, deferred maintenance or repair damage caused by fire or natural disaster to their homes, which can easily add up to tens of thousands of dollars. The Federal Housing Administration and conventional lenders offer rehabilitation mortgages to finance the cost of renovating.

  • Conventional Mortgage Requirements for 2-4 Unit Properties

    Single-family properties consisting of two, three or four units are considered small residential income property. When securing a mortgage, you must show the properties meet certain guidelines set forth by the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac). As government-sponsored enterprises, Fannie and Freddie buy multi-family mortgages that meet their standards, pool them and sell the debt as mortgage-backed securities (MBS) on the secondary mortgage market to investors. Such loans are known as conventional mortgages.

  • How to Get a Conventional Mortgage Loan

    Conventional mortgage loans are mortgages that are not backed by the federal government, like VA or FHA loans. Banks and credit unions will typically issue a conventional loan and assume all the risk should a buyer default. Since the risk is higher, many of these loans have higher down payment requirements and stricter lending requirements. Historically, the first mortgages were conventional loans, and only later did other types of mortgage financing come about to help low-income home buyers or buyers with special demographic needs.

  • Conventional Mortgage Requirements

    As the residential housing market in the United States grows stronger, the government has begun implementing standards for mortgage lenders and borrowers to avoid another economic meltdown. Some of these new standards affect conventional mortgages, which allow borrowers to obtain loans with fixed interest rates during the entire term of the loan.

  • Conventional Mortgage Downpayment Requirements

    Although the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) provides loans with a minimum down payment of 3.5 percent, some home buyers or properties do not meet FHA requirements or need to borrow more than the FHA can lend. These home-buyers turn to commercial lenders to help finance their home and face various requirements from lenders about minimum credit scores and down payment requirements needed to secure a mortgage.

  • List of Differences Between a Conventional Mortgage & a Forward Mortgage

    There are many different types of mortgage products on the market which are aimed at the different needs of home-buyers. These mortgage products range from the conventional 30-year fixed-rate mortgage to variable rate mortgages to something called a forward mortgage. It is important to understand the benefits and differences between mortgage products so that you can determine which is best for your situation.

  • Conventional Mortgage Vs. FHA Mortgage

    Options for mortgages include fixed rate and adjustable rate loans. The choice of lender and mortgage type determines what the benefits and drawbacks of your mortgage will be. One of the first decisions in choosing a mortgage that is right for you is deciding between conventional mortgages and FHA mortgages.

  • How to Refinance a Conventional Mortgage

    A conventional mortgage loan conforms to guidelines established by Fannie Mae. Refinancing may save you money by lowering your monthly mortgage payments. It also could allow you to use the equity in your home to consolidate debt, obtain cash, pay tuition or take a vacation. However, you must consider the expenses associated with refinancing.

  • What Do I Need to Know About Conventional Mortgage Loans?

    Typically there are three ways to finance a home: FHA loans, VA loans and conventional loans. Each subset of loans comes with several options, but none more so than conventional loans. Knowing the ins and outs of the available options with a conventional loan can help home buyers make the best purchasing decision for their budget.

  • Difference Between FHA & Conventional Mortgages

    An FHA, or Federal Housing Administration, mortgage is a government mortgage product. A conventional mortgage is underwritten by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. While the two types of mortgages are similar in concept, each has specific rules and regulations associated with the loan. A borrower may be able to qualify for one type of mortgage but the other.

  • How to Qualify for a Conventional Mortgage

    Many borrowers wonder if they will qualify for a conventional mortgage. With a good down payment of at least 5 percent and a good credit score of more than 720, most borrowers can qualify for a conventional mortgage. There are a few ratios and bits of information a borrower needs to know to help him decide if a lender will pre-approve him for a conventional mortgage. With this knowledge, a borrower can confidently walk into a lender's office knowing that he qualifies for a conventional mortgage.

  • Conventional Mortgage Types

    A conventional mortgage is a type of home loan that is issued, underwritten, and guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This is the most common type of non-government mortgage available in the United States today. It requires a minimum down payment of five percent and a minimum credit score of 620 and above for a borrower to qualify for this type of a mortgage debt.

  • Conventional Mortgage Vs. Construction to Permanent

    A conventional mortgage allows a borrower to buy a completely constructed home. This type of a loan is usually a fixed rate, 30-year mortgage. A construction-to-permanent mortgage allows a borrower to construct his own home, with varying term and rate.

  • Conventional Mortgage Vs. VA Mortgage

    A conventional mortgage is underwritten and backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. A VA, or Veteran's Administration, is underwritten and backed by the United States government.

  • Conventional Mortgage vs. FHA Loan

    FHA stands for the Federal Housing Administration. The FHA guarantees mortgages against borrowers defaulting on them so banks are more willing to lend to individuals who do not have a large down payment. Conventional mortgages are those that are issued by lenders without government assistance.

  • Rules of Conventional Mortgages

    Conventional rate mortgages are typically all-inclusive when it comes to a loan and have higher down payment requirements when compared with government-subsidized mortgage loans. However, conventional mortgages do offer homebuyers with excellent credit ratings the best repayment scenarios available in most cases, as well as lower interest rates.

  • What Is a Conventional Mortgage?

    A conventional mortgage is a home loan that is not guaranteed or insured by the Veterans Administration (VA) or Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Conventional mortgage loans typically require larger down payments than VA and FHA loans.

  • How to Select Between FHA And Conventional Mortgage Loan

    Once you have read my article on getting $8000 Tax credit on a home purchase, it is time to understand the details of mortgage that a bank will approve you. You can find the home purchasing articles at http://www.ehow.com/how_4789981_buy-home-using-tax-credit.html. Most of the people rely on their lender's recommendation but it is important that you understand the meaning of what you are going to buy as it can save you lot of money.

  • How Does Seller Financing Work?

    The most common reason to use seller financing is being denied a conventional mortgage due to fair, poor or no credit. An individual may have enough money for a down payment but not be able to obtain a mortgage. In this case, the seller of the property can take the down payment and hold the mortgage for the buyer. More commonly the seller will hold a second mortgage on a property for the down payment or a portion of the mortgage. Someone may qualify for a mortgage but not for the amount that is needed to buy the property. The…

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