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7 Types of Conventional Loans to Choose From

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Content was accurate at the time of publication.

If you’re looking for the most cost-effective home loan available, you’re likely in the market for a conventional loan. Before committing to a lender, though, it’s crucial to understand the types of conventional loans available to you. Every loan option will have different requirements, benefits and drawbacks.

What is a conventional loan?

Conventional loans are simply mortgages that aren’t backed by government entities like the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Homebuyers who can qualify for conventional loans should strongly consider this type of loan, as it’s likely to provide less costly borrowing options.

  Things You Should Know: Conventional Loan Requirements

Conventional lenders often set more stringent minimum requirements than government-backed loans. For example, a borrower with a credit score under 620 won’t be eligible for a conventional loan, but would qualify for an FHA loan. It’s important to look at the full picture — your credit score, debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, down payment amount and whether your borrowing needs exceed loan limits — when choosing which mortgage loan will be the best fit for you.

7 types of conventional loans

Conforming loans

What are they? Conforming loans are the subset of conventional loans that adhere to a list of guidelines issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, two unique mortgage entities created by the government to help the mortgage market run more smoothly and effectively. The guidelines that conforming loans must adhere to include a maximum loan limit, which is $726,200 in 2023 for a single-family home in most U.S. counties.

Who are they best for? Borrowers who meet the minimum credit score, DTI and other requirements for conforming loans and don’t need a loan larger than current conforming loan limits.

Nonconforming or ‘portfolio’ loans

What are they? Portfolio loans are mortgages that are held by the lender, rather than being sold on the secondary market to another mortgage entity. Because a portfolio loan isn’t going to be passed on, it doesn’t have to conform to all of the strict rules and guidelines associated with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This means that portfolio mortgage lenders have the flexibility to set terms that can make qualification easier for borrowers.

Who are they best for? Borrowers looking for flexibility in their mortgage in the form of lower down payments, waived private mortgage insurance (PMI) requirements or loan amounts that are higher than conforming loan limits.

Jumbo loans

What are they? Jumbo loans are one type of nonconforming loans that don’t stick to the guidelines issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in a very specific way: by exceeding maximum loan limits. This makes them riskier to jumbo loan lenders, meaning borrowers often face an exceptionally high bar to qualification — interestingly, though, it doesn’t always mean higher rates.

Be careful not to confuse jumbo loans with high-balance loans. If you need a loan larger than $726,200 and live in an area that the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has deemed a high-cost county, you may be able to qualify for a high-balance loan, which is still considered a conventional, conforming loan.

Who are they best for? Borrowers who need access to a loan larger than the conforming limit amount for their county.

exclamation icon  High-balance loans are more expensive

Conventional loan borrowers will pay a higher interest rate or an extra fee at closing if they choose a high-balance loan. The fee is between 0.5% and 2.75% of the loan amount depending on the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio and whether the loan is a fixed- or adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM).

Fixed-rate loans

What are they? A fixed-rate loan has a stable interest rate that will stay the same for the entire life of the loan. This creates clear expectations for the borrower, eliminates surprises and provides a payment plan in which monthly principal and interest payments never vary.

Who are they best for? Borrowers who want stability and predictability in their mortgage payments.

Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs)

What are they? In contrast to fixed-rate mortgages, adjustable-rate mortgages have an interest rate that will change over the loan term. Although ARMs typically begin with a low interest rate (compared to a typical fixed-rate mortgage) for an introductory period, borrowers should expect a rate increase after this period ends. Precisely how and when it’ll increase is determined by the specifics of the loan: A 5/6 loan, for instance, will hold a steady rate for five years before beginning to adjust every six months.

Who are they best for? Borrowers who are able to refinance or sell their house before the end of the fixed-rate introductory period may save money with an ARM.

exclamation icon  Adjustable-rate loans can come with extra fees

Beginning May 1, 2023, conventional ARM loans with LTVs higher than 90% will come with either higher interest rates or an extra fee of 0.250% at closing.

Low-down-payment and zero-down conventional loans

What are they? Homebuyers looking for a low-down-payment conventional loan or a 100% financing mortgage — also known as a “zero-down” loan, as no cash down payment is necessary — have several options.

Buyers with strong credit may be eligible for a number of loan programs that require only a 3% down payment. These include the conventional 97% loan, Fannie Mae’s HomeReady® loan and Freddie Mac’s Home Possible® and HomeOne loans. Each program has slightly different income limits and requirements, however.

Who are they best for? Borrowers who don’t want to put down a large amount of cash, need to boost their down payment to avoid PMI or want to split their loan amount in order to avoid a “jumbo” loan.

Nonqualified mortgages

What are they? Just as nonconforming loans are defined by the fact that they don’t follow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s rules, nonqualified mortgages are defined by the fact that they don’t follow a set of rules issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

Nonqualified mortgages are given to borrowers who can’t meet the requirements for a traditional loan. While they often serve borrowers with bad credit, they can also provide a way into homeownership for a variety of people in nontraditional circumstances. The self-employed or those who want to purchase properties with unusual features, for example, can be well-served by a nonqualified mortgage, as long as they understand that these loans can have high mortgage rates and other uncommon features.

Who are they best for? Homebuyers who have a low credit score, high DTI ratio or find themselves in unique circumstances that make it difficult to qualify for a traditional mortgage, yet are confident they can safely take on a mortgage.

Pros and cons of conventional loans

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