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| Conforming Loans |
| Jumbo Loans |
| FHA Loans |
| VA Loans |
| USDA Loans |
| Fixed Rate Loans |
| Adjustable Rate Mortgage |
| Fannie Mae HomePath Mortgage |
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Conforming Loans
A type of mortgage in which the underlying terms and conditions meet the funding criteria of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. About 35-50% of mortgages, depending on market conditions and consumer trends, are conventional mortgages. In other words, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guarantee or purchase 35-50% of all mortgages. Conventional mortgages may be fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgages. Term term of these loans are typically 15, 20 and 30 years.
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Jumbo Loans
A mortgage with a loan amount exceeding the conforming loan limits set by the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO), and therefore, not eligible to be purchased, guaranteed or securitized by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. OFHEO sets the conforming loan limit size on an annual basis. These loans are typically over $417,000.
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FHA Loans
A mortgage issued by federally qualified lenders and insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). FHA loans are designed for low to moderate income borrowers who are unable to make a large down payment. FHA loans allow the borrower to borrow up to 97% of the value of the home. The 3% down payment requirement can come from a gift or a grant, which makes FHA loans popular with first-time buyers.
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VA Loans
A mortgage loan program established by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to help veterans and their families obtain home financing. The Department of Veterans Affairs does not directly originate VA loans; instead, they establish the rules for those who may qualify, dictate the terms of the mortgages offered and insure VA loans against default.
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USDA Loans
USDA loans are also known as Rural Development Loans. They are insured by the Federal Government and are only available to individuals and families looking to settle in rural areas. Loan applicants may have an income of up to 115% of the median income for the area in which they are settling. USDA loans offer 100 percent financing, meaning that there is no down payment required. They usually come with lower, fixed interest rates and can be made available to applicants with non-traditional credit histories.
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Fixed Rate Loans
A fixed-rate mortgage is the most basic home mortgage taken out every year by thousands of Americans. The typical terms for fixed-rate loans are 15-year and 30-year mortgages. “Fixed-rate” refers to the interest rate on the loan, which stays the same throughout the loan’s term. Unlike an adjustable-rate mortgage, the interest on a fixed-rate mortgage doesn’t shift with an index, but remains locked at the percentage you agree to pay at the very beginning.
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Adjustable Rate Mortgage
An adjustable rate mortgage has an interest rate that is fixed for a set amount of time after which it resets periodically and shifts up or down depending on the terms of the loan. Every ARM program has an index that is tied to either the LIBOR or the Treasury. The index is what your lender uses to reset your rate in the future.
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Fannie Mae HomePath Mortgage
HomePath mortgages are only available for homes owned by Fannie Mae. A HomePath loan can be made with an initial down payment of only 3 percent and buyers who take out a HomePath loan don’t have to purchase mortgage insurance. Moreover, HomePath loans don’t require lenders to perform appraisals, making it easier on buyers to purchase homes quickly and without too much hassle.
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Unless otherwise indicated, these APR calculations are based on the following: Conforming loans (whose maximum loan amount is below $484,350 for the contiguous states, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico or below $636,150 for Alaska, Guam, Hawaii and the Virgin Islands) are calculated based on a loan amount of $417,000 with closing costs of $8,340. Jumbo Loans (whose maximum loan amount exceed $484,350 for the contiguous states, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico or exceed $636,150 for Alaska, Guam, Hawaii and the Virgin Islands) are calculated based on a loan amount of $1,000,000 with closing costs of $20,000. Your actual APR may be different depending upon these factors.
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