While you may have the capacity to make your monthly mortgage payments, most lenders won't approve your loan if you don't meet the baseline requirements for a conventional mortgage, including a credit score, verifiable income, and an appealing debt-to-income (DTI) ratio.
In most cases, conventional loans require a credit score of 580 or higher. Lenders also look for excessive debt or certain negative events on your credit report, such as a bankruptcy or missed payments—which may make it harder for you to qualify for a conventional loan.
Common issues that can derail mortgage approval include outdated electrical systems, plumbing problems, structural issues, or a roof in dire need of replacement. For example, a home with a leaking roof, faulty wiring, or severe foundation issues will often be ineligible for conventional financing.
Yes, there are some potential disadvantages for sellers to consider when choosing a conventional mortgage. First, the seller will have to meet more stringent requirements to qualify for a conventional loan than with an FHA loan, including higher credit scores and larger down payments.
Conventional conforming loans: 7.6% denial rate. Refinance loans: 24.7% denial rate.
Sellers often prefer conventional buyers because of their own financial views. Because a conventional loan typically requires higher credit and more money down, sellers often deem these reasons as a lower risk to default and traits of a trustworthy buyer.
Homes with major condition issues, such as those that impact property's safety, structural integrity, or livability, often don't qualify for conventional financing.
The property needs to be free of known hazards that affect health and safety, the home's use, or may affect the structural soundness of the house and its marketability. These include, but are not limited to: Toxic chemicals. Radioactive materials.
Conventional loans typically require a 620 minimum credit score and at least 3 percent for a down payment. This type of mortgage comes with a fixed or adjustable interest rate, and can be either conforming or nonconforming.
Conventional Loan Minimum Credit Score
In most cases, you'll need a credit score of at least 620 to qualify for a conventional loan. When you apply, your lender will check your credit history to determine if you have qualifying credit. If you don't, you might not get approved for the loan.
Most conventional mortgages — the most popular type of loan — are not assumable. They contain what's called a due-on-sale or due-on-transfer clause, which mandates the mortgage be paid in full whenever the original borrower sells the property or transfers the loan.
The minimum down payment requirement for a conventional loan is 3% of the loan amount. However, lenders may require borrowers with high DTI ratios or low credit scores to make a larger down payment. Even if it's not required, if you're able to make a higher down payment, you may want to consider doing so.
Homes with structural issues / roof issues / non habitable or non insurable will not qualify for a mortgage.
There are no specific income limits for most traditional mortgage loans, such as conventional loans or FHA loans. Lenders typically focus on your income to qualify for a mortgage by looking at factors like your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, credit score, and overall financial stability.
The short answer is yes. A thorough appraisal conducted by a licensed appraiser is almost always required for home loans in California. This is true for conventional, FHA, and VA loans.
Homes that may not pass an FHA inspection
Certain characteristics of a property can cause it to be ineligible for an FHA loan, such as: Structural issues: FHA loans require that the property be structurally sound, so homes with significant structural problems may not pass inspection.
Credit score requirements
Most first-time home buyer programs require a minimum credit score, often around 620, to qualify for conventional loans. However, some programs, like FHA loans, are more lenient, allowing scores as low as 580 or even lower with higher down payments.
In summary, here's what we found: You need to make at least $54,000 per year to afford a $200,000 house. You need to make at least $81,000 per year to afford a $300,000 house. You need to make at least $109,000 per year to afford a $400,000 house.
FHA loan standards include a requirement that the property be primarily residential in nature, that it be owner-occupied as a condition of loan approval within 60 days of closing in most cases, and that the home be taxable as real estate.
Lenders look at your income, employment history, savings and monthly debt payments, and other financial obligations to make sure you have the means to comfortably take on a mortgage.
FHA Loans Can't Be Approved for These Properties
You can't use an FHA loan to buy a frat or sorority house, a condo hotel, or any property used as a “transient occupancy” operation where tenants stay fewer than 30 days.
The largest concern sellers have with FHA loans is the appraisal/inspection process. FHA loans have the reputation of having strict requirements for appraisals and inspections. The FHA has what they call 'Minimum Property Requirements,' if a property doesn't meet even one of them, financing falls through.
Which loan is better: FHA or conventional? To a large extent, that depends on you and your financial profile. Generally, a conventional loan is best for those with strong credit and a bigger home buying budget. If your credit score is below 620, a loan backed by the FHA might be your only option.
Lower Chance of Requested Repairs
Some sellers do not wish to be burdened with additional home improvements during the stress of a potential move and home sale, so the inflexibility of a non-conventional loan becomes problematic.