When shopping for a home loan, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the lingo and types of mortgage products available to you. Learn more about the most common mortgages and see if you are eligible for any of the specialty mortgage types listed below.

Terms and Rates

Within each type of mortgage, the length and rate type can vary.

Mortgage Terms

The most common mortgage terms (meaning length) are 30-year and 15-year. However, some local credit unions offer terms as short as two years. The term of your mortgage equals how long it will take you to pay it off if you pay the exact minimum amount every month. A 15-year mortgage breaks your loan and interest payments into 180 equal payments. A 30-year mortgage equals out to 360 payments.

Regardless of which loan term you choose, as long as your mortgage doesn’t include a prepayment penalty, you can choose to make additional principal payments to pay off your mortgage faster without refinancing.

Fixed-Rate vs. Adjustable-Rate Mortgages

A fixed-rate mortgage is a mortgage where your interest rate is fixed for the entire term of your loan. If you close on a 30-year mortgage on Jan. 1, 2022, at an interest rate of 2.99%, and you never move, refinance, or make additional payments, then your interest rate is still 2.99% when you make your final payment on Jan. 1, 2052. A mortgage calculator can show you the impact of different rates on your monthly payment. 

Conversely, an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) has a rate that changes at set periods of time. The most common mortgage ARMs are 7/1 and 5/1, but technically, any ARM term is possible. On a 7/1 ARM, the rate remains the same for the first seven years and is then adjusted every single year thereafter.

ARMs became very popular prior to the subprime mortgage crisis because they offered lower initial payments, but then they led to a wave of foreclosures as the rates increased and made the mortgage payments unaffordable for thousands of Americans.1 ARMs are risky for most borrowers and are generally not a great choice unless they intend to pay off their mortgage or refinance before their rate adjusts.

Conventional Mortgages

Conventional mortgages are the most common mortgage type. They have generally stricter requirements than government-backed mortgages and are offered by the most lenders.

Who are conventional mortgages best for?

Conventional mortgages are best for well-qualified buyers who don’t fall into a specific population to be eligible for special government-backed financing.

Requirements

• Credit score of 620+
• At least 3% for a down payment (private mortgage insurance [PMI] will be required if putting less than 20% down)
• Verifiable income for 2+ years
• Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio of 45% or less

Government-Backed Mortgage Programs

Over the years, the U.S. government has created numerous special home-buying programs to encourage rural development, help revitalize low-income neighborhoods, and help veterans become homeowners.

USDA Loans

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) loans were originally created to help provide mortgages in rural areas lacking development. They are a unique and extremely attractive option for those who qualify because they allow borrowers to put 0% down and do not require any form of private mortgage insurance (PMI).2

Who are USDA loans best for?

USDA loans are best for anyone who can qualify for them.

Requirements

• The property must be in an area designated as rural by the USDA.
• The borrower’s household income has to meet eligibility limits.
• The borrower’s DTI ratio must be as high as 41%, with some exceptions.
• The borrower’s credit score must be 640 or higher, with some exceptions.23

FHA Loans

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans are loans insured by the FHA but issued by any FHA-approved lender. FHA loans differ from HUD loans, which only apply to unique circumstances like Section 184 loans for Native Americans.4

In general, FHA loans exist to help low-income borrowers buy homes and have more lax income, credit score, and down payment requirements. FHA loans tend to have higher interest rates and fees than conventional mortgages and require an up-front mortgage insurance premium equal to 1.75% of the loan amount as of 2021, in addition to an annual mortgage insurance premium.5

Who are FHA loans best for?

FHA loans are best for individuals who can’t qualify for other home loans because other options tend to be much cheaper up front and over the life of the loan.

Requirements

• Credit score as low as either 500 with 10% down or 580 with 3.5% down
• Down payments as low as 3.5%
• Verifiable income for 2+ years
• DTI ratio of 43% or less6

VA Loans

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans are similar to FHA loans. They are backed by the VA, with requirements from the VA, that are issued by VA-approved lenders. They are similar to USDA loans in that they do not require a down payment or mortgage insurance. They offer competitive interest rates and have more lax requirements than conventional mortgages. Borrowers generally have to be veterans who have served for certain lengths of time or under specific circumstances.7

Who are VA loans best for?

VA loans are best for anyone who can qualify for them.

Requirements

• Borrowers must have a Certificate of Eligibility from the VA, which they can apply for here.
• No minimum credit score. Lender must deem borrower a satisfactory credit risk.
• DTI ratio of 41% or less
• Down payment as low as 0%
• Verifiable income for 2+ years, with some exceptions89

Other Unique Mortgage Products

Jumbo Mortgages

Jumbo mortgages are loans for amounts that exceed the limits on conventional mortgages set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and are typically issued on luxury properties or in areas with exceptionally high housing costs.

Who are jumbo mortgages best for?

Jumbo mortgages are best for well-qualified buyers purchasing expensive properties who don’t qualify for conventional mortgages and don’t have the cash or assets to buy a property outright. Collectively, these borrowers are referred to as HENRYs (High Earners, Not Rich Yet).

Requirements

• Credit score of 700+
• Down payment of at least 20%
• Two+ years of verifiable income history
• DTI ratio under 43%

Interest-only Mortgages

Interest-only mortgages mean that borrowers only pay the interest portion of their loan for a set period of time. The borrower gains zero equity in the home during these payments and will need to pay off the mortgage either in a lump sum or with significantly increased payments in the future depending on the terms of the loan.

Who are interest-only mortgages best for?

Interest-only mortgages are best for individuals who have assets tied up that will become available soon, who receive significant periodic bonuses with which to pay down the principal, or who can expect their income to increase significantly before the principal payments become due (such as a medical student about to graduate and who has a signed employment contract).

Requirements

Interest-only mortgages are a niche specialty product with no set requirements. Expect to have to show substantial assets and/or documentation proving your future ability to meet the payments when they increase.

The Bottom Line

Conventional, fixed-rate mortgages are the most popular home loan type because they offer the most competitive rates and fees and are easy to find. For people who can’t qualify for a conventional mortgage, FHA loans, VA loans, and USDA loans can help lower-income buyers with fair or better credit to become homeowners. Additionally, VA loans and USDA loans have attractive terms and perks for those who qualify for them. Regardless of which loan type you end up choosing, be sure to calculate how a mortgage payment can fit into your overall budget and consider whether buying a home is the right choice for you.