Conventional Mortgage
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WHAT IS A CONVENTIONAL MORTGAGE?
A conventional mortgage loan is a “conforming” loan, which simply means that it meets the requirements for Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac for a 30-year mortgage. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are government-sponsored enterprises that purchase mortgages from lenders and sell them to investors. This frees up lenders’ funds so they can get more qualified buyers into homes.
Because there are several different sets of guidelines that fall under the umbrella of “conventional loans,” there’s no single set of requirements for borrowers. However, in general, conventional loans have stricter credit requirements than government-backed loans like FHA loans.
It’s possible for first-time home buyers to get a conventional mortgage with a down payment as low as 3%. However, the down payment requirement can vary based on your personal situation and the type of loan or property you’re getting
FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS
We define “first-time home buyer” as any person or family who has not owned, or had an ownership interest in, a home within the past three (3) years. “Ownership interest” is defined as any person who is living in the home as his/her primary residence and who is listed on the Deed of Trust. For married couples, both spouses hold an ownership interest, even if only one is listed on the Deed of Trust. Being a first-time homebuyer allows you to take advantage of our Mortgage Credit Certificate program.
DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE
If you qualify for our programs, we will provide you with a mortgage loan and funding to use for your down payment. You can choose to receive the assistance as a grant (which does not have to be repaid) or a deferred forgivable second lien loan (which only has to be repaid if you sell or refinance within three years). If you’re eligible, you can essentially receive free money to help you buy a home. To qualify, you must have a credit score of 620 and meet certain income requirements.