Conventional Loans:

Conventional loans are mortgage loans offered by non-government sponsored lenders. These loan types include:

• Fixed Rate Loans
• Adjustable Rate Loans (ARMs)
• Combination (Hybrid) Loans
• Balloon Mortgages and Pledge Asset Loans
• Jumbo / Construction Loans
• Reverse Mortgage

Conforming loans are conventional loans that meet bank-funding criteria set by Fannie Mae (FNMA) and Freddie Mac (FHLMC). Both of these stock-holding companies buy mortgage loans from lending institutions and secure them for resale to the investment community. Every year, form October to October, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac establish limits on what constitutes a conforming loan in a mean home price.

Buying back mortgage loans allow these agencies to provide a continuous flow of affordable funding to banks that reinvest their money back into more mortgage loans. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac only buy loans that are conforming, to repackage into the secondary market - effectively decreasing the demand for non-conforming loans.

Conforming Loan Limits:

Number of Units Maximum original principal balance Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, and U.S. Virgin Islands only
1 $417,000 $625,500
2 $533,850 $800,775
3 $645,300 $967,950
4 $801,950 $1,202,925

NOTE: The conforming loan limit in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the Virgin Islands is 50% higher.

FHA mortgage loans are issued by federally qualified lenders and insured by the U.S. Federal Housing Authority, a division of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

FHA loans are an attractive option, especially for first-time homeowners:

•Generally easier to qualify for than conventional loans.
•Lower down payment requirements.
•Cannot exceed statutory loan limits.
Learn more about FHA loans. (Department of Housing and Urban Development)

Designed to offer long-term financing to American veterans, VA mortgage loans are issued by federally qualified lenders and are guaranteed by the U.S. Veterans Administration. The VA determines eligibility and issues a certificate to qualifying applicants to submit to their mortgage lender of choice. It is generally easier to qualify for a VA loan than conventional loans.

Here's how it works:

•100% financing without private mortgage insurance or 20% second mortgage.
•A VA funding fee of 0 to 3.3% (this fee may be financed) of the loan amount is paid to the VA.
•When purchasing a home, veterans may borrow up to 100% of the sales price or reasonable value of the home, whichever is less.
•When refinancing a home, veterans may borrow up to 90% of reasonable value in order to refinance where state law allows.
Apply for a VA Loan with a VA Qualified Lender.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers a variety of programs to help low to moderate-income individuals living in small towns or rural areas achieve homeownership. The Rural Housing Service (RHS) helps qualifying applicants, who cannot receive credit from other sources, purchase modestly priced homes as their primary residence.

RHS Loans are an attractive option because:

•Minimal closing cost
•Low or no down payment
RHS loans can be used toward the purchase and renovation of a previously owned home or a new construction. Families must be able to pay their monthly mortgage, homeowner's insurance and property taxes.

Find out if you qualify for an RHS Loan.

Many state, county and local government programs offer financing for qualifying low-to-moderate income families wishing to purchase their first home. Loan assistance programs like Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) offer a partial tax credit for interest on the loan.

These programs typically offer:

•More relaxed qualifying guidelines
•Lower upfront fees
•Lower interest rate
•Fixed rate

Jumbo Loans exceed the maximum loan amounts established by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac conventional loan limits. Rates on jumbo loans are typically higher than conforming loans. Jumbo Loans are typically used to buy more expensive homes and high-end custom construction homes.

B/C Loans do not meet the credit requirements of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. They are known as B, C and D paper loans. Loan applicants typically have a bad credit history, have filed for bankruptcy, or have had a property in foreclosure.

B/C Loans are often issued as temporary loans until the applicant can restore credit and qualify for conforming "A" loans. Interest rates on B/C Loans are generally higher than for conforming "A" loan