Conventional Mortgages
A conventional mortgage is one that is not insured or guaranteed by the government. Conventional loans with a downpayment of less than 20% typically require private mortgage insurance (PMI which protects the lender if the homeowner defaults on the loan. For more information about conventional loans, please check the Web sites of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two primary puchasers of conventional loans.
FHA-Insured Loans
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA which is a part of the US Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD operates several low-downpayment mortgage insurance programs that buyers can use to purchase a home. FHA-insured loans generally require the buyer to make a three percent cash contribution to the downpayment and closing costs. FHA-insured loans are available from most of the same lenders who offer conventional loans.
The maximum FHA-insured loan amount for a one-family home ranges from about $172,632 to $312,895 depending on local area median home prices and other factors. Your lender can provide more details about FHA-insured mortgages and the maximum loan amount in your area, or find information on FHAs loan limits directly from HUDs Web site.
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Be sure to read Part III of this article at:
http://www.houseplancentral.com/articles.php?id=15
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