Home mortgages can make owning a home feasible for countless Americans. Whether you’re looking at property for the first time or you’re interested in refinancing your home, there are mortgage loan options that can make homeownership accessible. But which home loans might be available to you? And which is best for your current situation?

Conventional Loans

Loans or mortgages fall into one of two categories: they can be either government-backed or conventional (meaning loans that are not guaranteed or insured by agencies like the Federal Housing Administration, the USDA, or the Department of Veterans Affairs). There are different types of conventional home loans to choose from, though conforming loans are probably the most common. These home mortgages and loans align with guidelines established by lenders like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and are intended to make mortgages more accessible to all Americans. They also tend to have low-interest rates and have no mortgage insurance premiums.

Home Loans for First-Time Buyers

If you’re buying a home for the first time, you might be overwhelmed by the thought of spending hundreds of thousands at one time. In most cases, purchasing a home outright won’t be an option. But home mortgages for first-time buyers allow you to pay for your home gradually, within a fixed timeframe (typically spanning 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years). With this type of loan, you can often choose the size of your downpayment, though the traditional 20% is still embraced by many. While there are interest payments associated with home loans, keep in mind that interest rates are fixed and won’t change over time.

USDA Loans

Backed and designed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, these loans were originally intended to make purchasing homes in rural areas more affordable for Americans. With a USDA home loan, buyers can actually purchase a house with no money down. In some cases, buyers can obtain 100% financing on homes in eligible areas. However, you do need to meet certain criteria to obtain a USDA loan, which are based on home location, income, and credit score.

FHA Loans

These loans are backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and are designed specifically for low-to-moderate-income borrowers. With FHA loans, homebuyers can make lower minimum down payments and qualify for loans with lower credit scores than conventional loan options. You can also pay lower interest rates, though these may be adjustable or fixed. In addition, the buyer is required to purchase mortgage insurance. Considering that you can borrow up to 96.5% of a home’s value with an FHA loan, it’s no surprise this is a popular option — though it’s important to note that there are restrictions with this loan that don’t apply to conventional loans.

VA Loans

A loan backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is an option for home mortgages available to eligible current or former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as their surviving spouses. VA loans offer up to 100% financing and do not require mortgage insurance. In addition, they offer low rates (which can be fixed or adjustable) and come with more favorable qualifications for income, credit, and debt than other home mortgages do. While not every person who serves is eligible for a VA loan, this is a highly attractive option that can make home ownership possible for countless Americans.

Contact Us to Learn More About Your Redding Home Mortgage Options

Now that you have a greater understanding of the possibilities for home mortgages you can choose from, it’s time to take the next step in the home buying process. To get started with your home loan, contact our team at Megastar Financial Redding. We’d love to help you finance the home of your dreams.

Megastar Financial Redding 920 Hilltop Drive, Suite B Redding, CA 96002 (530) 999-9000
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