10 Different Types of Mortgage Loans Homebuyers Should Know About
As a homebuyer, it can be overwhelming to determine which mortgage provides the best value, is within your reach and serves your long-term homeownership needs. Here, we’ve summarized the key features of 10 types of mortgage loans to help in your decision. 1. Conventional loans A conventional loan is any mortgage that’s not backed by the federal government. Conventional loans have higher minimum credit score requirements than other loan types — typically 620 — and are harder to qualify for than government-backed mortgages. Borrowers who make less than a 20% down payment are typically required to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI) on this type of mortgage loan. The most common type of conventional mortgage is a conforming loan. It adheres to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines and has loan limits, which often change annually to adjust for increases in home values. The 2023 conforming loan limit is $726,200 for a single-family home in most of the U.S. Key features: Require a minimum 6...