The Unconventionals: 2 More Types of Mortgages

Established 1999

14 September 2022 by Northwest Mortgage

The world of mortgages is vast and weird - here’s another guide to a few more common types of mortgages!

Last month, we talked about the two most common types of conventional loans: fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages. This week, we’ll start talking about a couple unconventional mortgages (ie, mortgages that can’t be bought up by Fannie or Freddie): the FHA mortgage and the VA mortgage.

FHA Mortgage

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is part of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and provides mortgage insurance for lenders to help keep risks low (and keep lenders lending, and therefore buyers buying).

An FHA mortgage is a mortgage provided by a lender that’s insured by the FHA. An individual or family that qualifies to receive an FHA mortgage can get a few different benefits, according to HUD:

Low down payments: for individuals who don’t have 10-15% of a home’s total value saved as a down payment (the minimum required for most traditional conventional loans), an FHA loan can ask for a down payment as small as 3.5%
Low credit score threshold: individuals with a credit score as low as 500 can qualify for certain FHA loans
Flexible uses: an FHA loan doesn’t always have to apply to a single person’s or couple’s house. Loans can be used for single or multi-unit homes, manufactured or mobile homes, and even to make energy-efficient improvements. In some cases, they can even apply to care facilities and hospitals.

These loans open the door for homeownership to individuals who might not otherwise be able to qualify for a conventional loan due to credit score or small savings for a down payment. Borrowers with good credit and a sizable down payment ready will likely be able to find a better-fitting loan elsewhere.

VA Mortgage

The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) backs private lenders to allow them to offer special mortgages to veterans, service members, and reserves as a well-earned benefit for their service. No, this isn’t some simple 5% discount off the home’s total price - it’s actually much better!

To help our nation’s finest become homeowners and maintain their properties, a VA-backed mortgage comes with the following benefits:

No down payment: there is NO down payment required by the VA for a VA mortgage. Some private lenders add one anyway, but not all of them.
Interest rates: the interest rates for VA loans are competitive and have remained low according to market trends.
No private mortgage insurance (PMI): because the loan is already backed by the VA (a branch of the US government), mortgage insurance from the FHA is not required - this further reduces monthly payments for borrowers.
Multiple time use: servicemembers can use this benefit whenever they purchase a primary residence - it’s not just a one-and-done deal!

As implied, this mortgage is ONLY available to servicemembers, reserves, and veterans. And it can ONLY be used for primary residences, not for commercial or secondary residence properties of any kind.

That’s the basics about these two types of special loans. As with all mortgages, data fluctuates and the market changes, so talk to a mortgage specialist to see what your options are!