There are many mortgage loan options available on the real estate market. If you’re searching for a new home, understanding financing options available can give you a bird's-eye view of the best interest rates and overall conditions suiting your personal situation.
Conventional fixed rate mortgages
One of the most common types of mortgage loans homeowners borrow is a conventional fixed rate loan. This mortgage type is characterized by it’s interest rate that remains the same over the lifespan of the loan.
Around 75 percent of residential mortgage borrowers have a conventional loan, with the most popular term limit being 30 years. However, other term options are available including, 10, 15 and 20 years.
USDA loans
The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers USDA loans to middle and low-income households seeking to purchase property in rural areas.
This loan type is applicable to areas with a population of 35,000 or fewer residents and usually doesn’t require a down payment.
FHA loans
FHA loans are government backed and offered by private lenders which gives homebuyers the opportunity to qualify for a loan whereas they may have not been eligible for a traditional mortgage. FHA loans are more flexible but may come with higher interest rates and a larger down payment depending on your credit score.
There are many types of loans for homes, so take your time while reviewing your options. Consider hiring the help of a mortgage broker to help you compare and contrast your loans best fitting your lifestyle and needs.
About the Author
Kyung Kim
Hi, I'm Kyung Kim. I immigrated from South Korea to the United States in 1968 when I was 7 years old. I have seen my mom struggle with the English language and work hard to raise her four kids by herself. Still to this day, I don't know how she pulled it off, but she bought her first home in 1979 for $70,000 and because of that decision, she was able to live without worrying about her financial future. I want that for everyone, to feel the pride of home ownership and to build their financial wealth using real estate as part of their financial portfolio. I feel so blessed to play a small role in helping others reach this goal.
I live in Beaverton with my husband, Richard. My mom, who lived with us for several years, passed away in our home in February 2022. Her first home purchase in 1979 made it possible for her to live to the very end, without worrying about her finances. As of August 2022 with a little downpayment assistance, our four children own their own homes. Being in real estate, I quickly realized that if they didn't buy now, they may be priced out of the market in the future. Whether that would have been the case, we will never know, but what we do know is that they are all realizing some good, healthy appreciation in their home values.
As passionate as I am about people owning their homes, I'm also passionate about giving back to our community. I support Compassion First, a non-profit organization that provides aftercare for sex trafficked girls in Indonesia. My husband and I also feel called to financially support social injustice organizations.
I'd love to assist you. Whether you're in the research phase at the beginning of your real estate search or you know exactly what you're looking for, you'll benefit from having a real estate professional by your side. I'd be honored to put my real estate experience to work for you.
