Federal Housing Administration loans and conventional loans remain the most popular financing types for today’s mortgage borrowers. But which program makes the most financial sense for you? Here’s how.

In 2016, borrowers with conventional purchase loans averaged a 34% debt ratio, according to Ellie Mae. Another distinction for FHA loans: generally lower mortgage interest rates. However, the.

The application process is similar for both FHA-insured and conventional mortgages. A pre-approval from a lender is usually the first step in the loan application process.. Eligibility Eligibility for Conventional Loans. Most conventional loans require borrowers have a credit score of at least 620, and scores below 700 may lead to either extra fees or a higher interest rate.

FHA interest rates do tend to be slightly lower than conventional rates. This is due to the guarantee the FHA provides lenders. Because the lender knows they will get back a portion of the money if you default, they can lower the interest rate.

FHA Loans vs Conventional Loans – Compare Mortgage Rates and. – FHA loan rates today . Compare and Contrast FHA loans vs Conventional loans . There are four important numbers in deciding which loan you will go with: credit scores, down payment amount, debt-to-income, and mortgage insurance percentage rate. conventional mortgages and FHA.

Minimum Credit Score requirements for 2017. It is best to have a 620 credit score for either a conventional or FHA loan. If you have poor credit and your score is below 620, then an FHA may be a better option. FHA requires a 500-479 credit score with 10% down. And a 580 or higher score with just a 3.5% down payment.

Buying or refinancing a home requires you to compare the costs and terms of various loan programs to ensure the best fit for your financial situation. fannie mae and the Federal Housing Administration provide a majority of the loans offered by banks and mortgage brokers. Several key differences between their programs.Type Of Mortgage Loans Payments of this kind are known as fully amortizing payments. This type of mortgage is the default structure of mortgage loans unless otherwise specified. A self-amortizing loan is also known as an.