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What is a conventional loan?

When most people think of a mortgage, they're thinking of a conventional loan.

Conventional loans are the closest you can get to a 'standard' mortgage. There are no special eligibility requirements, pretty much all lenders offer them, and you can qualify with just 3% down and a 620 credit score.

Thanks to their low rates and wide availability, conventional loans are the most popular mortgage for home buying and refinancing.

This conventional loan information is accurate as of today, November 20, 2021.

Verify your conventional loan eligibility (Nov 20th, 2021)

In this article (Skip to…)

Conventional loan requirements
Minimum down payment for a conventional loan
Conventional loan rates
Conventional mortgage payment calculator
Benefits of a conventional home loan
How do you qualify for a conventional loan?
Conventional loans vs. government loans
Check your eligibility

Conventional loan requirements

Conventional loan requirements vary by lender, but all conventional loans have to meet certain guidelines set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac:

A minimum credit score of 620
A debt-to-income ratio lower than 43%
A down payment of at least a 3%

The conventional loan amount also has to be within conforming loan limits: up to $548,250 in most areas, but higher in some high-cost ZIP codes.

If you apply for a conventional loan with better credentials — like a 740 or higher credit score and 20% down payment, for example — you'll get access to lower rates and a lower monthly payment.

If you're on the edge of qualifying for a conventional loan — with a credit score right around 620 and higher levels of debt —be extra sure to shop around.

Mortgage lenders can set their own requirements and rates for conventional loans, as long as they fall within the conforming loan limits set by Fannie and Freddie.

So you can likely find one that's more flexible and has better rates for your situation.

Shop conventional loan rates today (Nov 20th, 2021)

Minimum down payment for a conventional loan

It's a common myth that you need a 20% down payment for a conventional loan; you can actually get one with as little as 3% down.

All told, there are six major mortgage options for conventional loan down payment requirements, ranging from 3% to 20%.

These types of conventional loans include:

Conventional 97 loan — 3% down
Fannie Mae HomeReady loan — 3% down
Freddie Mac Home Possible loan — 3% down
Conventional loan with PMI — 5% down
Piggyback loan (no PMI) — 10% down
Conventional loan without PMI — 20% down

From the 10% down piggyback loan to 3% down HomeReady and Conventional 97 loans, low-down-payment options not only exist but are extremely popular with today's conventional loan borrowers.

So, how do you qualify for a conventional loan? Simply by matching requirements set out by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Once you do that, you can join the club of conventional loan homeowners who make up about 69% of the market.

The 20% down payment myth

Where does the myth about the 20% down payment requirement come from? Probably from shoppers who want to avoid paying private mortgage insurance premiums.

When you put less than 20% down on a conventional loan, your lender will require private mortgage insurance (PMI). This coverage helps protect the lender if you default on the loan.

PMI does increase monthly mortgage payments. But that's OK if it allows you to get a conventional loan with a down payment you can afford.

Also note that conventional PMI can be canceled later on, once your home reaches at least 20% equity. So you're not stuck with it forever.

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Conventional loan rates

Conventional loans come with low rates that make home buying affordable.

Today's average rate for conventional loans is 3.125% (3.125% APR) for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage, which is the most popular type.

For a 15-year conventional loan, the average rate drops to 2.75% (2.75% APR).

Today's conventional loan rates (November 20, 2021)

Loan type	Average Interest Rate	APR
Conventional 30-Year FRM	3.125%	3.125%
Conventional 15-Year FRM	2.75%	2.75%
Conventional 5/1 ARM	2.625%	2.739%

*Average rates reported daily by TheMortgageReports.com lender network. See our full loan assumptions here

Conventional loan rates are heavily based on the applicant's credit score — more so than rates for FHA loans.

For instance, a home buyer with a 740 score and 20% down will be offered about a 0.50% lower rate than a buyer with a 640 score.

Rates are also based on mortgage-backed securities (MBS) which are traded just like stocks. And like stocks, conventional loan rates change daily, and throughout the day.

Watch the markets to lock in the lowest rate

What's the best way to secure a low rate? Watch market movements so you know a good rate when you see one.

Conventional loan rates can drop — or rise — quickly when financial news hits the market. For instance, if the Federal Reserve decides to cut its benchmark rate, conventional loan rates could fall, too.

Rates for 30-year fixed conventional loans have remained below 3.5% for some time, and rates are not expected to rise above that level in the near future.

Still, the lowest rates are available to those who are ready to lock in when rates drop.

Any mortgage-approved applicant who has selected a property to buy can lock in a rate.

Shop around with at least three different lenders

Finally, it's important to get a personalized rate quote.

Published rate averages are often based on the "perfect" applicant — one with great credit and a large down payment. Your rate might be higher or lower.

It pays to get at least three written quotes from different lenders, no matter which loan length or conventional loan type you choose. According to one government study, applicants who shopped around receive rates up to 0.50% lower than non-shopping.

Get a conventional rate quote based on your information — not on the information of an average buyer.

Check your conventional loan rates today (Nov 20th, 2021)

Conventional mortgage payment calculator

Benefits of a conventional home loan

Conventional loans are the most popular type of mortgage. After that come government-backed mortgages, including FHA, VA, and USDA loans.

Government-backed mortgages have some unique benefits, including small down payments and flexible credit guidelines. First-time home buyers often need this kind of leeway.

But conventional loans can outshine mortgages subsidized by government agencies in several ways.

For example, conventional mortgages have diverse repayment plans, borrowers don't have to meet any 'special' criteria (like military status or geographic location) to qualify, and there's no upfront mortgage insurance fee.

Flexible repayment plans

As with most mortgages, conventional loans offer several repayment options.

Conventional loans come in 15, 20, 25, and 30-year terms. Some lenders even offer 10-year conventional loans.

The shorter your loan term, the higher your monthly payment.

Fortunately, a 30-year fixed-rate conventional loan still comes with low fixed-interest payments that are accessible to the majority of home buyers and refinancers.

Adjustable rates available

Conventional loans are also a smart choice for those who know they won't remain in their house long and want a shorter-term, adjustable-rate mortgage. This option comes with a lower interest rate than that of a fixed-rate loan.

Adjustable rates are in fact fixed, but only for a period of time — usually 3, 5, or 7 years. During that initial "teaser" period, the homeowner pays ultra-low interest and can save thousands.

Today's home buyers often choose a 5-year ARM or 7-year ARM. These loans can provide thousands in savings while giving the home buyer enough time to refinance into a fixed-rate loan, sell the home, or pay off the mortgage entirely.

But after this low introductory rate expires, the loan's interest rate — and its monthly mortgage payment — could decrease or increase each year, depending on market conditions.

This makes ARM loans inherently risky for homeowners, and an option that should be considered very carefully.

No special requirements to qualify

Conventional loans are the least restrictive of all loan types, in some respects.

Unlike government-backed mortgages, conventional loans have no special requirements. They're available to anyone with a good credit score, stable income, and money for a moderate down payment.

Government-subsidized loans have specific purposes and come with a variety of limitations:

USDA loans are only available in designated rural areas. This is fine for home buyers who live and work in suburban and rural locations. However, for those in major cities, a USDA-eligible home could extend a commuting distance beyond what is reasonable
VA loans are available only to current and former military service members. They offer a lot of benefits, like zero down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance. But they are not available to the general population
FHA loans are a powerful home buying tool, but they come with high mortgage insurance fees that are payable for the life of the loan — up to 30 years. The only way to cancel FHA mortgage insurance is to refinance out of the FHA loan, which would require paying closing costs again

Additionally, most loan programs provided by the federal government can't be used for second homes or investment properties. They're designed to help Americans buy single-family homes to be used as a primary residence.

First-time and repeat buyers can land a good value when they choose a conventional loan for their home purchase.

And, more buyers qualify for this loan than you might expect.

Verify your conventional loan eligibility (Nov 20th, 2021)

No upfront mortgage insurance fee

Conventional loans do not require an upfront mortgage insurance fee, even if the buyer puts less than 20% down.

FHA loans, USDA mortgages, and even VA loans require an upfront insurance fee, usually between 1% and 4% of the loan amount.

Conventional loans only require a monthly mortgage insurance premium, and only when the homeowner puts down less than 20 percent.

Plus, conventional mortgage insurance may be lower than that of government loans if you have good credit and a decent down payment.

>> Related: Mortgage insurance: What it is, why you need it, how much it costs

How do you qualify for a conventional loan?

A lot of home shoppers think it's too hard to qualify for a conventional mortgage, especially if their financial situations aren't perfect. But that's not really the case.

Just like with an "easy" government-backed loan, qualifying for a conventional loan requires you to prove:

You make enough money to cover monthly payments
Your income is expected to continue
You have funds to cover the required down payment
You have a good credit history and decent score

True, the standards to qualify for a conventional loan are slightly higher than for an FHA or VA loan. But they're still flexible enough that most homebuyers are able to qualify.

Credit score

According to loan software company Ellie Mae, the average credit score for all applicants who successfully complete a mortgage is around 720. This is plenty high to get approved for a conventional loan.

The minimum credit score required for most conventional loans is just 620.

"We want to know that people pay their bills on time and are financially disciplined and good at money management," says Staci Titsworth, regional vice president sales manager with PNC Mortgage in Pittsburgh, PA.

A slightly lower credit score may pass the credit score test, but the lender will typically charge a higher interest rate to compensate for the greater risk.

Applicants with lower credit may want to choose an FHA loan, which does not charge extra fees or higher rates for lower credit scores.

Be sure to check your credit report before applying for a mortgage so you'll know where you stand.

Employment and income

During the mortgage application process, home buyers must provide proof of earnings, which may involve some or all of the following documentation:

30 day's pay stubs
2 year's W2s
2 year's tax returns if self-employed
An offer letter, if not yet started
Proof of education for new graduates

"Most lenders require two-year documentation to show a consistent earnings stream," Titsworth says.

Alimony can also be counted if documented in a divorce decree, along with the recurring method of payment such as an automatic deposit.

Seasonal income is also accepted with proof in a tax return.

Verify your home buying eligibility (Nov 20th, 2021)

Property value

A lender won't approve a mortgage for an amount that's greater than the value of the home. Before closing on the loan, the lender will appraise the property to determine its value.

As an example, let's say the buyer has agreed to pay $200,000 for a home but the appraisal comes in at $190,000.

In this case, the home buyer should use this appraisal as a bargaining chip to get the seller to lower the price to a level the lender will finance.

Or, the buyer could pay the additional $10,000 out of pocket to compensate for the lower borrowing limit. This $10,000 would be added to the down payment you'd already agreed to pay.

For instance, if you were putting 20% down on the $200,000 home, that's $40,000. But the appraised value is $190,000. You would be required to put down 20% of the new value — $38,000 – plus the $10,000 shortfall in value, for a total of $48,000.

Value isn't the only thing to watch for when getting a conventional loan appraisal.

Sometimes during an inspection, the appraiser may require another professional's opinion.

"If the appraiser sees water stains or a lot of leaky faucets, he may request a plumbing inspection. The seller may need to make improvements, which could delay a closing," Titsworth says.

However, conventional loans actually come with less strict appraisal and property requirements than FHA, VA, or USDA loans.

This is another advantage to conventional: You can qualify for a home in slightly worse condition and plan to make the repairs after your loan is approved and you move in.

Down payment

The amount of the borrower's down payment can affect the interest rate and final loan costs.

Putting down a larger amount means monthly mortgage costs will be lower.

A down payment of at least 20% will also eliminate conventional mortgage insurance. By contrast, FHA and USDA loans require mortgage insurance regardless of how much money you put down.

7 low-down-payment conventional loans

Loan Type	Requirements
5% down with PMI (Conventional 95)	One loan at 95% loan-to-value. PMI required.
Conventional 97	3% down. No income limits.
HomeReady™	3% down. Must be at or below the geographical area's median income unless home is located in underserved area.
90% loan	One loan with 10% down. PMI required.
Piggyback 80/10/10	10% down, 10% second mortgage, and 80% conventional loan. No PMI required
Home Possible Advantage	3% down loan with income restrictions. Offered by Freddie Mac home lenders.
Down Payment Gift	Applicant may receive any percentage of the down payment as a gift from family or other eligible source.

Conventional loans with just 3% down

Many conventional loans are made with as little as 3% down.

The HomeReady mortgage program is one such option. It allows non-borrowing members of the household to help the loan applicant get approved.

Lenders will consider the income of mothers, fathers, extended family, and non-married partners — even when they are not officially on the loan file.

The Conventional 97, as the name suggests, allows home buyers to borrow 97% of the home's price. Unlike the HomeReady option, these loans are available to applicants at any income level buying a home in any location.

The drawback to a 3% down loan? The interest rate may be higher to compensate for the smaller amount down.

Mortgage insurance may be more expensive as well, as compared to a 5% or 10% down conventional loan.

Avoid PMI with an 80/10/10 loan

The piggyback 80/10/10 loan option lets the applicant skip the full 20% down payment and skip the mortgage insurance.

How? The applicant applies for a first mortgage for 80% of the purchase price. Simultaneously, he or she opens a second mortgage, such as a home equity line of credit (HELOC) for 10% of the purchase price.

Then, only 10% down in cash is required because the lender allows the borrowed 10% loan to count toward the applicant's down payment.

Together, the second mortgage and the cash total 20% down, eliminating the need for mortgage insurance premiums.

Sourcing your down payment

A conventional loan borrower has the option to put anywhere from 3% to 20% down or more.

Plus, a down payment gift can cover the entire amount in some cases. Check with your loan officer for gift and donor documentation requirements.

Unless it's a gift, the applicant will need to verify a valid source of the down payment such as a savings or checking account.

Applicants can liquidate investment accounts and even use a 401k loan for the down payment.

Typically, home buyers will need to supply a 60-day history for any account from which down payment funds are taken.

Verify your home buying eligibility (Nov 20th, 2021)

Private mortgage insurance (PMI)

Private mortgage insurance, or PMI, is required for any conventional loan with less than a 20% down payment.

PMI rates vary considerably based on credit score and down payment.

For instance, one PMI company is quoting the following rates, as of the time of this writing, for a $250,000 loan amount and 5% down:

740 credit score: $123 per month
660 credit score: $295 per month

And these are quotes for a 10% down payment:

740 credit score: $85 per month
660 credit score: $208 per month

Higher mortgage insurance premiums for borrowers with lower credit scores prompt many buyers to use an FHA loan.

Unlike conventional loans, FHA loans do not charge higher mortgage insurance rates, even for applicants with very low scores.

Another factor that might affect your PMI rate: the mortgage insurance company itself.

Your lender usually chooses your PMI company, and different companies may charge different rates. However, you do have some say in the choice. If you know a particular PMI company that offers the best deal, ask if your lender works with them.

If not, the lender may be able to provide a similar offer from a different PMI provider, or you can choose a lender that works with your chosen mortgage insurance company.

Conventional loan limits

Nationwide conventional loan limits start at $548,250 and go higher in many locations.

For instance, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac allow a loan amount up to $822,375 in certain high-priced ZIP codes.

Home buyers who need a loan amount above the standard limit should check for the specific limit for their area.

Loans in excess of an area's conventional loan limits are considered non-conforming loans.

These require a jumbo loan instead of a conventional loan

Debt-to-income ratio

The buyer's debt-to-income ratio (DTI) also plays a factor in conventional loan qualifying.

DTI compares your total monthly debts (including mortgage costs) to your gross income. This number is used to determine how large a mortgage payment will fit within your monthly budget.

Many lenders want this ratio to be less or equal to 36% of the borrower's income.

However, conventional loans may allow a DTI as high as 43%.

To find your debt-to-income ratio, add up your loan payments, including:

Student loans
Personal loans
Car loans
Credit card minimum payments
Your projected mortgage payment

Also add in any child support or alimony payments you're required to make each month.

Then divide this sum by your monthly gross (pre-tax) income.

Verify your conventional loan eligibility (Nov 20th, 2021)

Closing costs

Closing costs will include fees such as a lender's origination fee plus vendor fees like the appraisal, title insurance, and credit reporting fees, says Titsworth.

Sometimes, a lender or seller will pay all or some of these expenses depending on the strength of the market and desire to close the transaction.

Check whether your chosen lender offers lender credits, and make sure any seller contributions are within Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines.

Typically, sellers and other interested parties can contribute the following amounts, based on the home price and down payment amount.

Less than 10% down: 3% of the purchase price
10 to 25% down: 6% of the purchase price
More than 25%: 9% of the purchase price

With a rental or investment property, the seller can contribute only 2% of the purchase price toward closing costs.

Conventional loan vs government loans

Home buyers have dozens of mortgage loan options today.

In general, though, mortgages can be divided into two broad categories — government-backed loans and conventional loans.

The rule of thumb is that if you have good credit (680+) and a large down payment (5% or more), a conventional loan is often best. If you have lower credit and/or a smaller down payment, a government-loan can help.

But those are not universal rules. The best type of mortgage for you will depend on your budget, your credit, and your home buying goals.

To help guide you in the right direction, here's a broad overview of conventional vs. government loans, and who they're best for:

Conventional loans — Privately-backed loans that tend to be most affordable for people with credit scores above 680 and down payments of 5% or more. However, conventional loans are also available with credit as low as 620 and a down payment as low as 3%
Jumbo loans — Jumbo loans are the right option for people buying high-priced homes. That includes any loan amount above $[conventional_loan_limits] in most areas. You typically need a credit score of 700 or higher for a jumbo loan
FHA loans — FHA loans are backed by the Federal Housing Administration. They're typically best for people with credit between 580-680 and a down payment of at least 3.5%
VA loans — VA loans are almost always best for qualified veterans and military members. They let you buy a house with 0% down, exceptionally low interest rates, and no monthly mortgage insurance
USDA loans — These zero-down loans are available in select rural and suburban areas. They're reserved for home buyers with low- to moderate-income, and typically have below-market interest rates

If you're not sure which type of loan is best for you, read up on your options or chat with a loan officer about what you might qualify for.

Check your conventional loan eligibility

The bottom line is that it's very important for home buyers to shop around for a conventional mortgage with at least three lenders.

Today's rates are very low, and can be even lower with the right shopping practices.

Check your conventional loan eligibility and rates today.

Verify your new rate (Nov 20th, 2021)