What is Conforming Loan?
In the United States, a conforming loan is a mortgage loan that conforms to GSE (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) guidelines. The most well-known guideline is the size of the loan, which, for 2020, was generally limited to $510,400 for single family homes in the continental US. Other guidelines include borrower's loan-to-value ratio (i.e. the size of down payment), debt-to-income ratio, credit score and history, documentation requirements, etc.
In general, any loan that does not meet guidelines is a non-conforming loan. A loan that does not meet guidelines specifically because the loan amount exceeds the guideline limits is known as a jumbo loan.
What is FHA Loan?
An FHA loan is a government-backed mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration, or FHA. Popular with first-time home buyers, FHA home loans require lower minimum credit scores and down payments than many conventional loans. You can qualify for an FHA loan with a credit score as low as 500 with 10 percent down. To get FHA’s maximum financing, you need a credit score of 580 or higher and 3.5 percent down. FHA borrowers pay for mortgage insurance, which protects the lender from a loss if the borrower defaults on the loan.
What is VA Loan?
A VA loan is a mortgage loan in the United States guaranteed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The program is for American veterans, military members currently serving in the U.S. military, reservists and select surviving spouses (provided they do not remarry) and can be used to purchase single-family homes, condominiums, multi-unit properties, manufactured homes and new construction. The VA does not originate loans, but sets the rules for who may qualify, issues minimum guidelines and requirements under which mortgages may be offered and financially guarantees loans that qualify under the program.
The basic intention of the VA home loan program is to supply home financing to eligible veterans and to help veterans purchase properties with no down payment. The loan may be issued by qualified lenders.
What is Stated Income Loan?
A stated income loan is a mortgage where the lender does not verify the borrower's income by looking at their pay stubs, W-2 (employee income) forms, income tax returns, or other records. Instead, borrowers are simply asked to state their income, and taken at their word.