What are the pros and cons of a conventional loan

A conventional loan is one that does not have government ties such as those offered with the support of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Federal Housing Authority. There are two types of conventional loans that include a secured loan, which means that one has a collateral loan without a guarantee or signature and one that is based on the creditworthiness and financial situation of the borrower. Secured loans are generally offered at lower interest rates than unsecured loans. As for conventional loans, the term is applied to home loans and they have pros and cons.

Initial payment

One point on the plus side of a conventional home loan is that principal accumulates faster due to the higher initial down payment. One downside is that the higher down payment makes it harder for some consumers to get a conventional loan.

With the highest expected payment on a conventional home loan, as much as 20 percent in many cases, the lender cannot require the borrower to have private mortgage insurance (PMI), which can be an advantage . Conversely, if the borrower does not have a significant down payment, PMI will likely be required and the borrower must then meet the requirements of a mortgage insurance provider, which is essentially the same as a double application for loan approval. loan.

For conventional home loans, down payments may need to be authenticated as belonging to the borrower, showing the lender that the applicant has saved up for the loan or that the down payment is a gift from someone and not a loan that is expected to be paid. be returned.

Interest rates

One downside to conventional loan for borrowers with lower credit scores is higher interest rates and fees often become part of the loan terms. The lender may also require a higher interest rate by allowing the borrower to include part of the closing costs in the loan. Conventional loans can also carry higher interest rates than some government loan programs.

Lenders generally offer conventional loans with a choice of fixed or variable interest rates, with many having fixed rates for a set number of years. This can be an advantage for borrowers. On the downside, adjustable rate loans can lead to fluctuations in your monthly payments.

Terms and Conditions

One advantage to conventional loans is that lenders may be more willing to negotiate the terms of a government-backed loan where the lender must follow standard guidelines. Also, a conventional loan, on average, processes faster than a government-backed mortgage, such as through the FHA. Points on the negative side of the argument are that borrowers may be required to pay a non-refundable fee when applying for the loan and if the terms of a conventional loan are approved, it may include a stiff prepayment penalty, i.e. , the borrower will be subject to this charge if the loan is repaid early.

Solvency

With a conventional loan, the qualification decision rests solely with the lender and there may be fewer restrictions on the applicant’s personal financial situation than with a government-backed loan. On the downside, a past bankruptcy or home foreclosure can significantly reduce a borrower’s potential chances of obtaining a conventional loan. Many lenders require a long waiting period in which the consumer is expected to repair credit.