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

A company that is terminated within 3 years. According to the tax law, a gain arising from the sale or liquidation of such a business is considered ordinary income to the individual ...

An account into which payment is made for particular expenses to assure that money will be available. An example is a special account the homeowner's attorney establishes for advance ...

Also called functional depreciation. Loss of value that results from improvements that are inadequate, outdated, overly adequate, or improperly designed for today's needs. May be curable or ...

Device that cuts off an electric circuit when the current becomes to strong. ...

Most typically, the definition of real estate spread implies the difference between the price offered by a home buyer and the initial amount asked for by the seller of real property. It ...

Structure built into the water from the land providing a facility for boats to tie up. A dock will often provide utility access ...

Restoring real property to an improved state. The restoration is usually needed because the property's condition has worsened. ...

A method of brick construction where the bricks are laid with their sides facing outward. ...

Return before taxes on the capital invested in real estate property. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions