Conventional Loan Definition
A conventional mortgage is a home loan that isn’t backed by a government agency, such as the FHA or VA. Conventional mortgages often meet the down payment and income requirements set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and they often conform to the loan limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Administration (FHFA). Conventional loan borrowers who put at least 20% down don’t have to pay for mortgage insurance, which is typically required with lower down payments or government-backed loans.