Conventional Loans

What are Conventional Loans?

Conventional Loans are mortgage loans that are not insured by the government (like FHA, VA, USDA Loans), but they typically meet the lending guidelines that have been set by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Typically, conventional loans have better rates, terms and/or lower fees than other types of loans. However, conventional loans typically require a borrower to have good-to-excellent credit, reasonable amounts of monthly debt obligations, a down payment of 5-20% and reliable monthly income. Conventional loans are ideal for borrowers with excellent credit and at least a 5% down payment.

Most Common Types of Conventional Loans

Fixed Rate Mortgages: Your rate and payment never change.

• 30 Year Fixed Loan
  Benefits: Lowest fixed monthly payments
• 20 Year Fixed Loan
  Benefits: Low fixed monthly payments
• 15 Year Fixed Loan
  Benefits: Lower rate than the 30 or 20 Year Fixed Loans; Pay less interest and pay your home off more quickly.
• 10 Year Fixed Loan
  Benefits: Lower rate; Pay off your loan and build equity faster.
• 5 Year Fixed Loan
  Benefits: Lowest rate; Pay off your loan and build equity the fastest

Adjustable Rate Mortgages: After the initial period your interest rate can change once a year.

• 3/1 ARM
  Fixed Rate for 3 Years, Adjustable Rate for the remaining 27 years
• 5/1 ARM
  Fixed Rate for 5 Years, Adjustable Rate for the remaining 25 years
• 7/1 ARM
  Fixed Rate for 7 Years, Adjustable Rate for the remaining 23 years

What are the Conventional Down Payment Requirements?

For Purchase transactions Conventional Loans require the home-buyer to put down at least 5% - 20% of the purchase price of the home. For a Refinance transaction, most lenders require at least 10% equity in the property. If you don't have enough equity to qualify for a conventional refinance - even if you owe more than your home is worth - you might be eligible for a HARP 2.0 Loan.

What types of property are eligible?

Most conventional loan programs allow you to purchase single-family homes, warrantable condos, planned unit developments, and 1-4 family residences. A conventional loan can also be used to finance a primary residence, second home and investment property.

These materials are not from HUD or FHA and were not approved by HUD or a government agency.

Find Out if a Conventional Loan is Right for You

Fill out this quick form and we'll get right back to you with the answer.

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HARP 2.0

Finally, there is help for homeowners that are underwater on their mortgages:

Do any of these sound like you?

• The value of my property has fallen.
• I owe more than my home is worth.
• I have been turned down for a refinance loan in the past.
• I am having trouble making my house payments.
• I have an adjustable rate mortgage.
• I don't qualify for loan modification.
• I can't afford my mortgage payment.

If so, we might have the answer that you've been looking for.

The Making Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP Phase II) is a government backed mortgage program that allows most borrowers with existing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans to refinance their homes even if they owe more than their home is worth, have an adjustable rate mortgage, have been turned down for a refinance loan or loan modification in the past, or just can't afford their mortgage payment anymore.

HARP Phase II's goal is to help you stay in your home by making it more affordable for you to continue to make your monthly mortgage payments and keep your dreams of affordable home ownership alive. We can help you qualify for the HARP Phase II program if we can show that you are receiving one or more of the following benefits:

• A lower monthly mortgage principal and interest payment;
• A lower interest rate;
• A shorter amortization term (a loan for fewer years); or
• A more stable mortgage product; for example, movement from an ARM to a fixed-rate mortgage.

So if you're looking for a lower interest rate, a fixed mortgage, a lower payment, or a better mortgage then refinancing your home through the Making Home Affordable Program might be just the right answer for you.

How do I know if I'm eligible for HARP?

You may be eligible for HARP if you meet all of the following criteria:

1. Your mortgage must be owned or guaranteed by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae.
2. Your mortgage must have been sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac on or before May 31, 2009.
3. Your mortgage cannot have been refinanced under HARP previously unless it is a Fannie Mae loan that was refinanced under HARP from March-May, 2009.
4. The current loan-to-value (LTV) ratio must be greater than 80% (even if you owe more than twice what your home is worth you can still qualify).
5. You must be current on the mortgage at the time of the refinance, with a good payment history in the past 12 months.

How do I get started?

1. Simply Fill our See if I Qualify for HARP Phase 2 quick form.
2. We will then research your loan to make sure that it is eligible for the Harp Program.
3. If it is we will then show you the savings that you can realize by refinancing your home through the Harp Program.
4. If your loan is not eligible, we'll let you know.

"Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae have adopted changes to the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) and you may be eligible to take advantage of these changes. If your mortgage is owned or guaranteed by either Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae, you may be eligible to refinance your mortgage under the enhanced and expanded provisions of HARP. You can determine whether your mortgage is owned by either Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae by checking the following websites: www.freddiemac.com/mymortgage or http://www.fanniemae.com/loanlookup/."

Can I pay down the principal balance of my loan when I refinance my home through HARP?
Yes, you can pay down your principal balance when you refinance your home through HARP or anytime after you. There are no pre-payment penalties.

Can I refinance my home through HARP if I have a low credit score?
Yes.

Can I refinance my home through HARP even if I don't live in the property anymore?
Yes.

Can I refinance my condo through HARP?
Yes.

Get started today by filling out this simple form and we'll do the rest for you:

See if I qualify for HARP Phase 2 - Quick Form:

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