Types of Loans
A 30, 20, 15 year fixed conventional loans are loans that have the same mortgage payments for 360 months. Conventional loans typically are harder to qualify for than FHA loans and require a slightly higher down payment. However, in some cases rates can be lower and have lower closing costs. Also, monthly mortgage insurance is usually less or can be nothing with 20% down payment.
This type of loan has monthly payments that are based on a 30 year repayment schedule and the interest rate remains fixed for the first three years. After that time the interest rate (monthly payments) may change year after. This is called the adjustment period. The new rate is based upon changes in a financial index and is calculated by adding a specified amount to the index.
A VA loan is perhaps the most powerful and flexible lending option on the market today. Rather than issue loans, the VA instead pledges to repay about a quarter of every loan it guarantees in the unlikely event the borrower defaults. That guarantee gives VA-approved lenders greater protection when lending to military borrowers and often leads to highly competitive rates and terms for qualified veterans.
An FHA (Federal Housing Administration) loan is a loan insured against default by the FHA. In other words, the FHA guarantees that a lender won’t have to write off a loan if the borrower defaults – the FHA will pay.
FHA loans are not for everybody. Nevertheless, they are a great help to some borrowers. FHA loans allow people to buy a home with a down payment as small as 3.5%. Other loans might not allow such a low down payment.