• Home Improvement
    • DIY
    • Remodeling
    • Woodworking
    • Accessories
    • Home Design
      • Furniture
      • Organize
      • Tips
      • Decor
        • Interior
        • Exterior
    • Design Ideas
      • Bathroom
      • Bedroom
      • Dining Room
      • Living Room
      • Kitchen
  • Gardening
    • Backyard
    • Front Yard
    • Landscaping
  • Building Staircase
  • Categories
    • Home Improvement
    • Decor
    • Gardening
    • Woodworking
    • Lifestyle
    • Green Living
    • Real Estate
Dream Lands Design
  • Home Improvement
    • DIY
    • Remodeling
    • Woodworking
    • Accessories
    • Home Design
      • Furniture
      • Organize
      • Tips
      • Decor
        • Interior
        • Exterior
    • Design Ideas
      • Bathroom
      • Bedroom
      • Dining Room
      • Living Room
      • Kitchen
  • Gardening
    • Backyard
    • Front Yard
    • Landscaping
  • Building Staircase
  • Categories
    • Home Improvement
    • Decor
    • Gardening
    • Woodworking
    • Lifestyle
    • Green Living
    • Real Estate
Featured image - FHA Vs. Conventional Loans: What's the Difference?
You're here: Home Home Improvement FHA Vs. Conventional Loans: What’s the Difference?

FHA Vs. Conventional Loans: What’s the Difference?

  • Perla Irish
  • March 2, 2023
Total
1
Shares
0
0
1
0
0
Table of Contents Show
  1. FHA VCs. Conventional Loans: What are They?
  2. Loan Types
  3. Credit Scores and Down Payments
  4. Mortgage Insurance
  5. Debt-to-income Ratio
  6. Property Standards

The purchase of almost all homes in the United States is financed through mortgages. The type of mortgage and the lender you get it from determines its interest rate, the type of home you can buy, qualification requirements, and more.

Image - FHA Vs. Conventional Loans: What's the Difference?
FHA Vs. Conventional Loans: What’s the Difference?

The most common types of mortgages are conventional and FHA loans. Although they both do the same thing, i.e., help home buyers purchase homes, they are very different.

FHA VCs. Conventional Loans: What are They?

FHA loans are referred to as such because they are backed and insured by the Federal Housing Commission (FHA).  An FHA-approved lender issues them, and the FHA will pay the remainder in case of foreclosure. The payment happens after a borrower’s home is sold in pre-foreclosure when they cannot sell it or pay arrears.

FHA loans are typically easier to qualify for, especially for people who may have a problem getting approved for a mortgage, such as first-time home buyers. They also have lower down payment requirements.

The Federal Government does not guarantee or insure conventional loans. The home becomes their security, and the lender loans funds that are lower than or the same as the home’s value to protect their investment.

Conventional loans have much stricter lending and larger down payment requirements. Their approval process is also very strict. Private mortgage insurance is required when you deposit less than 20% of the home’s value. However, you can always ask the lender to cancel the insurance premiums once you have paid off more than 20% of the home’s value.

Loan Types

There are various types of FHA and conventional loans, and some overlap between them. Some of the common FHA loans include energy efficiency mortgages, property investment loans, rehab mortgages, construction loans, and basic home mortgages. You can click here to learn more about FHA Loans, including their requirements and limits.

For conventional loans, we have:

  • Conforming and non-conforming loans: The former is less than the maximum amount set by the Federal Housing finance agency, and the non-conforming loans are more than the loan limit set by the FHFA.
  • Fixed and adjustable-rate conventional loans: Fixed-rate loans have a fixed interest rate that does not change throughout the life of a loan. Adjustable-rate loans have changing interest rates which go up and down depending on various factors.
  • Low-down-payment loans: These loans have low-interest rates of 3% or 5%. Home buyers can also apply for zero down payment loans, but these are much harder to find.
  • Renovation loans: These apply to fixer-uppers and those who have a hard time finding a home within their budget range.

Read Also:

  • 7 Simple But Proven Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home
  • Benefits of Having a Mortgage Lender by Your Side
  • How to Qualify for an FHA Loan

Credit Scores and Down Payments

The differences between FHA and conventional loans emerge when you start looking at the eligibility requirements, such as the credit score and the downpayment required. While they are easier to qualify for, you still need a credit score of 580 to be approved for an FHA loan. That said, some lenders will approve lenders with a credit score of 500, although that is rare and typically requires a 10% downpayment.

Conventional mortgages approve people with credit scores of 620 and over. Lenders also approve mortgages with a 3% downpayment, but you still need to pay private mortgage insurance unless you increase this to 20%.

The downpayment limit can go up to 5% if you make less than 80% of the medium income for your area, 10% for second homes, and 15% for multiple-family dwellings. Remember that the credit scores and downpayment requirements will change depending on the lender. You are also more likely to get approved for FHA and conventional loans with a high credit score.

Mortgage Insurance

Mortgage insurance differs from other types of insurance because, instead of protecting you, it protects the lender so they can recoup their money in case of a default. As discussed, conventional loan lenders require mortgage insurance for down payments of less than 20%.

However, everyone borrowing FHA loans is required to have mortgage insurance regardless of their downpayment amount. The insurance premiums can last up to 11 years if you pay more than a 10% downpayment or until you repay the loan if you paid less than a 10% downpayment.

The mortgage insurance amount is calculated by comparing the amount you borrow from the lender to the value of the home, known as the loan-to-value ratio. The insurance amount for a conventional loan is around 0.03% and is about 0.75% for an FHA mortgage.

Debt-to-income Ratio

This number is very important in determining if you hold a lot of debt compared to your income and whether you can service a loan, of which a mortgage is one. Lenders will look at your debt-to-income ratio during the approval process.

To get this ratio:

  1. Add up all your expenses including all the loan payments you are currently making.
  2. Total up all the income you are getting.
  3. Divide the total expenses by the total income and multiply that by 100.

If you want an FHA loan, you should have a debt-to-income ratio of less than 45% if you have a credit score of 580 or lower. With a conventional loan, it should be 50% or lower.

Property Standards

Lenders also consider the intended use and the condition of the property to be financed. FHA appraisals are stricter, assessing the home’s value, how well it has followed local building codes, safety, and the quality of the construction.

Conventional loan appraisals typically consider the market value of the property. These strict appraisals ensure the lender can recoup their money in case of a default, and they have to sell the house.

The quality and value of a home are typically evaluated during a home inspection. Hiring a home inspector is optional, but they may unearth potential issues that show the asking price might be too high.

These inspections are crucial for FHA loans because you are required to use the home as your primary residence once the mortgage is approved. Conventional loans, on the other hand, can be used to finance primary residences, vacation homes as well as investment properties.

FHA and conventional loans have advantages and disadvantages, allowing you to choose the best option for you and your needs. FHA loans are easier to qualify for and require a smaller downpayment than conventional loans. Conversely, conventional loans can be used for investments and thus are an excellent tool for building wealth.

Total
1
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 1
Share 0
Share 0
Perla Irish

Perla Irish, who is more familiarly known as Irish, is the Content Manager at Dreamlandsdesign.com. She loves following trends around home and garden, interior design, and digital marketing. Through this blog, Irish wants to share information and help readers solve the problems they are experiencing.

Related Topics
  • Conventional
  • FHA
  • loans
Previous Article
Featured image - The Importance of Pump Seals in Industrial Applications

The Importance of Pump Seals in Industrial Applications

  • Perla Irish
  • March 2, 2023
View Post
Next Article
featured image - The Importance of Recycling Water at Home

The Importance of Recycling Water at Home

  • Perla Irish
  • March 2, 2023
View Post

Subscribe

Subscribe now to our newsletter

You May Also Like
Modern backyard with eco-friendly WPC composite decking and fencing, natural wood textures, lush greenery, and bright sunny sky, highlighting sustainable outdoor living.
View Post

Transform Your Outdoor Living: WPC Composite Decking for Sustainable Home Improvement

  • June 16, 2025
nature wallpaper can make your home feel bigger and more peaceful.
View Post

How Nature Wallpaper Can Transform Any Room

  • June 13, 2025
A cozy suburban house with a For Sale sign, surrounded by green trees under a clear blue sky.
View Post

How to Buy a Home Without Going Broke

  • June 12, 2025
Serene backyard pool with a sleek modern cover
View Post

Top Benefits of Using Pool Covers: Save Water, Energy & Money

  • June 10, 2025
Featured image - Why Is it So Hard to Find a Good Roofer
View Post

Why Is it So Hard to Find a Good Roofer?

  • June 10, 2025
Spacious luxury basement with modern furniture, ambient lighting, and multifunctional areas including a home office, lounge, and gym, showcasing elegant design.
View Post

Need More Space in Great Falls? Your Basement Might Be the Answer

  • June 9, 2025
Close-up of a brick wall with small cracks, a homeowner inspecting it, masonry tool nearby, and garden elements like gutters and downspouts in a realistic style.
View Post

Preventing and Repairing Masonry Cracks: A Homeowner’s Guide

  • June 7, 2025
A plumber repairing a tankless water heater.
View Post

Tankless Water Heater Repair 101: An Easy Guide for Homeowners

  • June 2, 2025
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Disclosure
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us

Input your search keywords and press Enter.