Conventional Home Loans

Buying a New Home?

Are you looking for a way to finance a part of the American dream? Then reading the following information regarding a conventional home loan may be a great place to start!

Definition of Conforming Loan

A conventional home loan is also known as a conforming home loan, as it strictly conforms to the guidelines set forth by both Fannie Mae (FNMA) and Freddie Mac (FHLMC). Lenders assume all risk that borrowers will pay back their loan plus interest. In the event a homeowner defaults on their conventional loan, lenders are not insured or guaranteed reimbursement by the federal government.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are stockholder-owned corporations that are able to provide Americans with a continuous flow of affordable funds that can be used to finance the home of their dreams. Affordable borrowing is achieved when Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as corporations conduct business by reducing lender risk:

  1. Purchasing individual mortgage loans from lenders who comply with all Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines
  2. Packaging multiple mortgages into securities
  3. Sell the securities to private investors who are willing to assume the risk

This type of home purchase or refinance loan can have either a fixed or adjustable interest rate.

  • Fixed Rate Mortgage – A determined interest rate that is set for the entire duration of your mortgage’s term, which can be anywhere from eight years all the way to 30 years.
  • Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) – An interest rate that is set at a low introductory rate for a fixed number of years (1, 3, 5, 7, or 10 years), which is later followed by periodic adjustments, per a specified benchmark for the rest of the duration of the mortgage’s 30-year term.

Loan Limits

The maximum limits for a conventional home loan depends on several variables including the county and state in which the home you intend on financing is located.

The national conventional, or conforming, loan limit for single-family properties increased from $33,000 in the early 1970s to $417,000 between 2006 and 2008, and then up again in 2017 to $424,100.

These limits are 50 percent higher ($636,150) in the following four areas, due to the fact that homes cost more in these areas:

  • Alaska
  • Hawaii
  • Guam
  • U.S. Virgin Islands

In 2008, a series of legislative acts temporarily increased the loan limits for single-family properties in certain high-cost areas of the United States up to $729,750. Today, the highest loan limit is $721,050 (Honolulu, HI).

Permanent conventional loan limits, which apply to acquisitions of certain mortgages that originated prior to July 1, 2007, adhere to the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA) terms.

Conventional Loan Requirements

To qualify for a conventional home loan for the purchase of a new home, or to reduce your existing home’s interest rate, your income and credit must meet certain qualifications. These qualifications will be discussed at the time of your pre-eligibility interview.

The down payment for a conventional home loan is relatively low—as little as 5% with the purchase of Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). You should note that additional fees may apply.

Pre-qualification Form »

Determining Your Eligibility

If you would like to see if you are eligible for a conventional home loan, or are just interested in learning more about the various loan options we at Forthright Funding offer, please feel free to contact one of our mortgage loan specialists at (855) 351-9522.

Ready to fill out an application?

**The consumer’s total finance charge may be higher over the life of the loan by refinancing your current loan

Contact Us

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At Forthright, we will always treat you like a neighbor and not like a number. So, if you're ready to put down some roots or transplant the ones you have, please feel free to give us a call at
(855) 351-9522.

Headquarters
7585 E Redfield Rd
Suite 110
Scottsdale, AZ 85260

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P: (855) 351-9522
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E: info@forthrightfunding.com


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