Conventional Loan Requirements

What are the qualifications for a conventional loan?

Conventional loan requirements vary by lender. However, you will usually need to have a solid credit score and a bit of money down.
In most cases, you will need a credit score of at least 602. If your credit score is higher than 740, you will probably be able to make a lower down payment. You'll also get the best loan terms and interest rates.
It's not all about your credit score, though. Lenders will also take a close look at your debt-to-income ratio. A conventional lender likes to see a DTI that's less than 36%. However, you may be able to get a loan with a DTI that's higher than this, too, depending on the lender.
You will also need a down payment that is at least 3%. Those with lower credit scores or with a higher DTI may be asked to put down more.

Is a conventional loan hard to get?

These loans aren't insured or guaranteed by the government, so they tend to be somewhat harder to get than government-backed mortgages like FHA loans, VA loans, and USDA loans.
Plus, conventional lenders can enforce stricter guidelines than those set by Fannie and Freddie, the FHFA. If you are applying for a mortgage after filing for bankruptcy or suffering from a foreclosure, you may find that conventional loans are harder to qualify for.

How do you qualify for a 5% conventional loan?

A 5% conventional loan has just a 5% down payment. This is much lower than the recommended 20%, a figure that comes with private mortgage insurance to protect lenders. PMI is required for a 5% down conventional loan, but there are other benefits of getting this kind of loan, too.
For example, the down payment can be a gift. You can opt for an adjustable or fixed-rate mortgage. You'll also be able to stop the private mortgage insurance once 78% of the loan has been paid off.
To qualify, you will need a credit score of at least 620. You'll have to pay for private mortgage insurance for a period of time, and you'll need a DTI of less than 50%. Finally, your loan amount must be less than $510,400 (this last number varies depending on the current amounts set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac).

Do you need 20% for a conventional loan?

A 20% down payment is not necessary for a conventional loan, but any down payment less than that will require the payment of PMI (private mortgage insurance) until you have more equity in your home.
Most lenders have conventional loans with down payments ranging from 5-15%, with PMI added.

What is the downside of a conventional loan?

One of the biggest downsides of a conventional loan is that you will likely need to pay a higher interest rate than what you might expect to pay with a government loan. You'll also need to have at least 5% down, in most cases, but usually, only 3% of your funds are required, while the other 2% can be gifted. You'll have more flexibility in funding the down payment with this kind of loan than with others.
Another disadvantage is that you'll have to have a lower debt-to-income ratio.

Is Conventional better than FHA?

Not necessarily. It depends on your financial situation and goals. A conventional loan is ideal if you have good to excellent credit because your PMI costs and down payment can be lower. However, FHA is better if your credit score is on the lower side of the scale.
An FHA loan might also be a good choice if you're interested in applying for a loan in which you bundle your home improvement costs into the overall cost of the mortgage. For homes that need a lot of repairs, this is ideal.

What's the minimum down payment for a conventional loan?

Most conventional lenders require a down payment of at least 3 to 5% with the addition of private mortgage insurance. If your credit score is low or you have a high debt-to-income ratio, you might be required to put down more.

What's the lowest credit score for a conventional loan?

You should have at least a 620 credit score in order to qualify for a conventional loan. Some lenders may allow you to apply with a lower score, sometimes with the addition of a cosigner on the application.

What are the pros and cons of a conventional loan?

There are both benefits and disadvantages of conventional loans. Some of the pros? You'll have more flexibility with your loan terms and there are no home price maximums (which is often the case with government-backed loans).
However, you'll have to meet a higher credit score threshold and a lower debt-to-income ratio and you'll have to pay for PMI insurance if you have less than a 20% down payment.

Can I get a conventional loan with 10% down?

Yes. Most lenders will offer borrowers decent rates on conventional loans with 10% down. The more money you can afford to put down on your home, the better off you will be – with down payments of 20% or more, no private mortgage insurance is required.

What is the max debt to income ratio for a conventional loan?

The recommended debt-to-income ratio is usually 43% or less, though some lenders look for 50% or less. This is variable, based on both the lender and your unique financial picture. Borrowers with lower credit scores may be asked to have an even lower debt-to-income ratio than that 43%.

Can you put 5% down on a conventional home loan?

Yes. In most cases, you can put just 5% down on a conventional home loan. However, you may be expected to pay PMI (private mortgage insurance) until you've increased your equity in your home.
Applying for a conventional loan can be daunting. The process seems complicated and the requirements are numerous. But don't let that stop you from trying to get the best deal on your next home. By following our tips, you can make the process easier and increase your chances of being approved for a loan.