Loan Options

Conventional loans are mortgage loans offered by non-government sponsored lenders. A conventional, or conforming, mortgage adheres to the guidelines set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. It may have either a fixed or adjustable rate.

While many think that a 20% down payment is required for all conventional loans, many lenders now offer low down payment options.

Refinancing a mortgage is when a borrower gets a better interest rate and/or loan term. A borrower can achieve lower monthly payments and if they qualify, use their equity to obtain money that can be spent by the borrower. There are several pros and cons of refinancing a mortgage and we can help determine if this is right for you.

A commercial mortgage is a loan made using real estate as collateral to secure repayment. It is similar to a residential mortgage, except the collateral is a commercial building or other business real estate, not residential property.

In addition, commercial mortgages are typically taken on by businesses instead of individual borrowers. The borrower may be a partnership, incorporated business, or limited company, so assessment of the creditworthiness of the business can be more complicated than is the case with residential mortgages.

Some commercial mortgages are nonrecourse, that is, that in the event of default in repayment, the creditor can only seize the collateral, but has no further claim against the borrower for any remaining deficiency. The general reason for this is twofold: many laws significantly prevent the creditor from going after the borrower for any deficiency, and mortgages structured for sale as bonds give a higher priority to constantly receiving some sort of income and therefore require a clause which allows the lender to take the property immediately, regardless of bankruptcy proceedings that the borrower might be going through.

Frequently, the mortgage is supplemented by a general obligation of the borrower or a personal guarantee from the owner(s), which makes the debt payable in full even if foreclosure on the mortgaged collateral does not satisfy the outstanding balance.

Learn how to calculate a residential or commercial property’s potential loan amount here: Loan/Cash Flow Estimate

FHA loans are an attractive option, especially for first-time homeowners because it is insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Primarily, the federal government insures loans for FHA-approved lenders in order to reduce their risk of loss if a borrower defaults on their mortgage payments. Typically the borrower can be approved with 3.5% down vs 20% that is required on other loan programs.

The FHA 203k is a renovation loan program that provides funds for both the purchase and renovation of a home. There are two types of an FHA 203k loan. The first is normal 203k, which is given for properties that need structural repairs such as a new roof or a room addition. The second is the streamlined 203k, which is given for non-structural repairs such as painting and new appliances. The minimum Loan Amount is $5000.

A VA Loan is Designed to offer long-term financing to veterans. VA mortgage loans are issued by federally qualified lenders and are guaranteed by the U.S. Veterans Administration. The VA determines eligibility and issues a certificate to qualifying applicants to submit to their mortgage lender of choice. It is generally easier to qualify for a VA loan than conventional loans.

Apply for a VA Loan with a VA Qualified Lender.

Jumbo Loans exceed the maximum loan amounts established by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac conventional loan limits. Rates on jumbo loans are typically higher than conforming loans. Jumbo Loans are typically used to buy more expensive homes and high-end custom construction homes. Typically Jumbo Loans require a higher down payment than traditional loans.

A reverse mortgage allows homeowners age 62 or older to borrow against their home equity. It is called a “reverse” mortgage because, instead of making payments to the lender, you receive money from the lender. The money you receive, and the interest charged on the loan, increases the balance of your loan each month. Most reverse mortgages today are called HECMs, short for Home Equity Conversion Mortgage.