Residential mortgage guide

Conventional home loans

Purchase or refinance guidance for primary homes, second homes and eligible investment properties—plus FHA and VA options when they may be a better fit.

Where I can help

Licensed in six states for residential lending.

I can originate Conventional, FHA and VA loans in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, Tennessee and Florida.

PennsylvaniaOhioMichiganMissouriTennesseeFlorida

State licensing does not guarantee that every loan program or property is eligible. Loan approval remains subject to the complete application, underwriting, property review and current program guidelines.

First-time homebuyer options

Low down payment does not have to mean standard mortgage insurance.

HomeReady® and Home Possible® are conventional programs designed to help eligible low- and moderate-income borrowers overcome common barriers to homeownership. They can be especially useful for first-time buyers, although first-time buyer status is not required in every scenario.

Fannie Mae

HomeReady®

  • Down payment as low as 3% for an eligible primary-home purchase
  • Reduced mortgage-insurance coverage requirements above 90% LTV
  • Mortgage insurance may be cancelled after applicable requirements are met
  • Flexible funding sources may include eligible gifts, grants and Community Seconds®
  • Income, occupancy, property and underwriting requirements apply

Official HomeReady information →

Freddie Mac

Home Possible®

  • Down payment as low as 3% for an eligible one-unit primary home
  • Reduced mortgage-insurance coverage requirements above 90% LTV
  • Mortgage insurance may be cancelled after applicable requirements are met
  • Flexible funding may include eligible gifts, employer assistance and secondary financing
  • Qualifying income is generally limited to 80% of area median income

Official Home Possible information →

What “reduced MI” means: these programs may require less mortgage-insurance coverage than certain standard conventional loans at the same loan-to-value ratio. The actual premium is set by the mortgage-insurance provider and depends on the complete loan profile. Reduced coverage does not mean mortgage insurance is free or automatically eliminated.
Compare the paths

Different programs serve different borrowers.

Conventional

Flexible residential financing

May be used for a primary residence, second home or eligible one- to four-unit investment property. Credit, down payment, reserves, occupancy and property type affect the available terms.

FHA

Primary-home financing

Government-backed financing for an eligible primary residence. FHA loans have their own mortgage-insurance, appraisal, occupancy and property-condition requirements.

VA

For eligible veterans and service members

VA financing may offer meaningful benefits for qualified borrowers purchasing or refinancing an eligible primary residence. A valid Certificate of Eligibility and full underwriting review are required.

Conventional loan uses

One program family, several property goals.

The right structure depends on how you will use the property and the complete financial picture.

  • Primary-residence purchases and refinances
  • Eligible second homes
  • Eligible one- to four-unit investment properties
  • Rate-and-term or cash-out refinances, when permitted
  • Fixed-rate and adjustable-rate options may be available
Common questions

Conventional, FHA and VA FAQs

Which states can you serve for these residential loans?

I am licensed to originate Conventional, FHA and VA loans in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, Tennessee and Florida. Please include the property state when requesting a review.

Can I use a conventional loan for an investment property?

Potentially. Conventional financing may be available for an eligible one- to four-unit investment property. Investment-property loans generally have different down-payment, reserve and pricing requirements than a primary-home loan.

Do I have to be a first-time buyer for HomeReady or Home Possible?

Not always. Both programs can help eligible first-time buyers, but first-time buyer status is not required for every borrower or transaction. Income limits, primary-residence occupancy, property eligibility, credit, debt-to-income ratio and the complete underwriting findings still determine whether a program is available.

Do FHA and VA loans require owner occupancy?

These programs are generally intended for an eligible primary residence and include occupancy requirements. They are not substitutes for a business-purpose DSCR loan on a non-owner-occupied rental property.

What information helps with an initial review?

Share the property state, purchase price or value, intended occupancy, down payment or equity, estimated credit profile, income type and whether you are purchasing or refinancing. Please use the secure application for sensitive personal or financial documents.

Ready to compare options?

Tell me what you are buying and where.

Request a loan review