Definition of "Conventional mortgage"

Yolanda La Luz real estate agent

Written by

Yolanda La Luzelite badge icon

Realty Executives Cornerstone

A mortgage requiring a substantial down payment. It is usually only available to those having good credit, and has fixed monthly payments for the life of the loan. It usually has a 30 year period of fixed interest rates discharged on an amortized basis with equal monthly payments. The term conventional refers to a mortgage that is not FHA-insured or VA-guaranteed. Since there is no third person or entity to insure or guarantee the mortgage, the lender assumes full risk of default by the borrower. A lenders decision to make a conventional mortgage is usually dependent upon: (1) the value of the property being used to secure the debt and (2) the credit and income position of the borrower. As more and more conventional mortgages have been made, the loan to value ratio (relationship between the amount borrowed and the appraised value of the property) has continued to increase, even though most lenders still limit the amount they will lend to no more than 80% of value unless private mortgage insurance is carried. This down payment required is higher than with either VA or FHA loans. As the market price of residential real estate has continued to increase, a larger cash down payment has been required of the borrower, and thus many people have been eliminated from financing with a conventional mortgage. With both guaranteed and insured mortgages, people have been able to purchase real estate with a smaller cash down payment.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

Act of forcing an individual or business to do something against their will. It is a legitimate defense in court to reserve the effect of the compelled act. ...

That part of a roof which projects beyond the sides of the building. The eaves keep rain overflow of the sides of a building structure and seal the roof rafters. ...

Broadly speaking, a commission is a remuneration a person receives after acting on someone else’s behalf.In the real estate world, you’ll usually hear the term “sales ...

Tax credit aimed at encouraging the conservation of natural resources, as well as the development of alternative resource. ...

A triangular shaped end of a building where a double sloped roof meets at the top of the triangle. A gable begins at the eaves of a roof and terminates at the roof ridge. ...

Services provide to a parcel of land public utility companies, such as gas, water, electricity. ...

(1) Flooring in a structure. (2) Open structure with flooring erected outside a main building. A deck can have different levels with direct access to the main structure. It is usually ...

To secure a listing by a real estate agent for a certain parcel of property. For example, a real estate broker wishes to list as many properties a possible to built an inventory of future ...

Mortgage for residential property. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions