Conventional Loans

A "fixed-rate" mortgage comes with an interest rate that won't change for the life of your home loan. A "conventional" (conforming) mortgage is a loan that conforms to established guidelines for the size of the loan and your financial situation. Conventional loans often feature lower interest rates than jumbo loans, FHA loans or VA loans. Terms of these conventional loans range typically range from 10 to 30 years.

Monthly payments on a conventional fixed-rate mortgage remain the same for the life of the loan, making it an attractive option for borrowers who plan to stay in their home for several years. The alternative to the fixed-rate mortgage is the adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), which features lower monthly payments during the first few years. While many prefer the security of a fixed-rate loan, an ARM may be a better option - especially if you know you'll be moving within the next several years. 

The 30-year conventional fixed-rate mortgage has long been popular due to its fixed interest rate and lower monthly payments, however, since the interest payments are spread out over 30 years, you'll pay more interest over the life of the loan than you would on a shorter-term mortgage.

With a shorter loan term and lower interest rate, a 15- or 20-year fixed-rate mortgage can help you pay off your home faster and build equity more quickly, although your monthly payments will be higher than with a 30-year loan. The 15- and 20-year fixed-rate mortgages are especially popular for refinancing.

With a fixed-rate mortgage, the interest rate won't change for the life of your loan, protecting you from the possibility of rising interest rates.

Conventional mortgages typically offer a lower interest rate and APR than other types of fixed-rate loans.

Conventional mortgages often require less documentation than FHA loans or VA loans, which could speed up the overall processing time.

Conventional fixed-rate mortgages are available for refinancing your existing mortgage, too - and 15- and 20-year options are especially popular.

• Loan Amount - The loan amount for a conforming mortgage is generally limited to $417,000 for a single family home, though limits may be higher in regions where home prices are higher. Jumbo loans allow you to exceed the conforming loan limit to borrow for a higher-priced home.
• Down Payment - Most conventional loans will require at least 5 percent as a down payment. If you have not owned a home in the past 3 years, you may be eligible for a 3% down payment. 
• Credit History - Conventional loans are a good choice for borrowers with excellent credit, which generally means a FICO score of 620 or higher. There are also established guidelines for income and other personal financial information.