What is a conventional mortgage?

A conventional mortgage is a home loan that is not offered or secured by a government entity (like FHA or VA). Conventional mortgages typically conform to the loan limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Administration (FHFA) and are eligible for purchase by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the two government-sponsored enterprises that guarantee the majority of mortgages in the U.S.).

Unlike government loans like FHA, VA, and USDA, conventional loans can be used for more property types (primary residences, second homes, and investment properties). In addition to the popular 30-year fixed conventional loan, there are also more choices for loan structure, including 15-year or 20-year terms and adjustable-rate mortgages.