Any mortgage loan other than an FHA, VA or an RHS loan is conventional one.
FHA Loans
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA), which is part of the U.S.
Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), administers various
mortgage loan programs.
FHA loans have lower down payment requirements and are easier to qualify
than conventional loans. FHA loans cannot exceed the statutory limit.
VA loans
VA loans are guaranteed by U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs. The guaranty allows veterans and service persons to obtain home loans with favorable loan terms, usually without a down payment. In addition, it is easier to qualify for a VA loan than a conventional loan. Lenders generally limit the maximum VA loan to $203,000. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs does not make loans, it guarantees loans made by lenders. VA determines your eligibility and, if you are qualified, VA will issue you a certificate of eligibility to be used in applying for a VA loan.
RHS Loan Programs
The Rural Housing Service (RHS) of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture guarantees loans for rural residents with minimal closing costs and no downpayment.
Ginnie Mae which is part of HUD guarantees securities backed by pools of mortgage loans insured by these three federal agencies - FHA, or VA, or RHS. Securities are sold through financial institutions that trade government securities.
State and Local Housing Programs
Many states, counties and cities provide low to moderate housing finance programs, down payment assistance programs, or programs tailored specifically for a first time buyer. These programs are typically more lenient on the qualification guidelines and often designed with lower upfront fees. Also, there are often loan assistance programs offered at the local or state level such as MCC (Mortgage Credit Certificate) which allows you a tax credit for part of your interest payment. Most of these programs are fixed rate mortgages and have interest rates lower than the current market.
Conventional loans may be conforming and non-conforming. Conforming loans have terms and conditions that follow the guidelines set forth by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These two stockholder-owned corporations purchase mortgage loans complying with the guidelines from mortgage lending institutions, packages the mortgages into securities and sell the securities to investors. By doing so, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, like Ginnie Mae, provide a continuous flow of affordable funds for home financing that results in the availability of mortgage credit for Americans.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines establish the maximum loan amount, borrower credit and income requirements, down payment, and suitable properties. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announces new loan limits every year.
The 2008 conforming loan limits for first mortgages remain at the limits set in 2006 and 2007:
| One-family: | $417,000 |
| Two-family: | $533,850 |
| Three-family: | $645,300 |
| Four-family: | $801,950 |
The maximum loan amount is 50 percent higher in Alaska, Guam, Hawaii,
and the Virgin Islands. Properties with five or more units are
considered commercial
properties and are handled under different rules.
The 2007 loan limit for second mortgages is $208,500 (in Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, and the Virgin Islands, the maximum second loan amount is $312,750). The sum of the original loan amounts of the first and second mortgages cannot exceed $417,000 (or $625,500 in Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, and the Virgin Islands).