WHAT ARE CONVENTIONAL - CONFORMING AND NON-CONFORMING LOANS?

When you’re evaluating home loan categories, it’s easy to get confused by the terms “conventional” and “conforming and non-conforming.” As similar as these three terms may sound, their definitions are worlds apart, so it’s important to understand the distinctions. We’re here to clear the air. A conventional loan is a mortgage that adhere to Fannie Mae guidelines. Fannie Mae, or Federal National Mortgage Association, is a corporation created by the federal government that buys and sells conventional mortgages and also sets the maximum loan amount and requirements for borrowers. A conforming loan, on the other hand, describes a certain set of characteristics contained within a home loan. For example, a conventional loan can be either conforming or non-conforming. Within the mortgage industry, loans are repackaged and sold on the secondary market to mortgage investors, the biggest of which include the government-sponsored entities (GSEs), Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. When a pool of loans adheres to the standards of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the loans are considered “conforming.” Let’s take a closer look at the differences of conforming and non-conforming loans, and how borrowers can assess which home loan will benefit them most. What Is a Conforming Loan? In order for a mortgage loan to be conforming, it must meet the specific criteria that allow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase the loan. The most significant of these criteria is the loan limit, which refers to the maximum amount of the loan that Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac will purchase. The loan limit can change from year to year. For the first time since 2006, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has increased the conforming loan limit for a single-family, one-unit property—from $417,000 to $424,100. Since Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are managed by FHFA, they align with FHFA’s loan limits. What Are the Benefits of a Conforming Loan? The primary advantage of a conforming loan is that, for borrowers with excellent credit, they typically offer lower interest rates, which means lower monthly mortgage payments and less money spent over the life of the loan. What Is a Non-Conforming Loan? Non-conforming loans are loans that simply means that the loan does not meet the underwriting guidelines set forth by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and/or fails to meet traditional bank criteria for funding. What Are the Benefits of a Non-Conforming Loan? While riskier and less common than conforming loans, non-conforming loans allow individuals to borrow larger amounts than is possible with a conforming loan. Choosing the Home Loan Option That’s Best for You As described above, the loan amount, a variety of other factors can dictate which loan type that you qualify for. To find out more information about the current loan limits and loan programs, contact us at 407-300-2558 or click the button below to request a quote with rates and terms.