CONVENTIONAL

A home loan that is not insured or guaranteed by the federal government. A conventional loan can be for conforming or non-conforming loan amounts.

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VA

A mortgage that is guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for qualified veterans of U.S. military forces.

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FHA

A mortgage that is insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Also known as a government loan. FHA mortgage insurance protects the lender (not the borrower) if a borrower defaults on the FHA loan. This insurance enables a lender to provide loan options and benefits often not available through conventional financing.

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USDA

A USDA home loan is a mortgage either made or guaranteed by the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Housing Service agency to help households with very low to moderate incomes purchase safe and affordable homes in rural areas.

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HELOC

A line of credit secured by the borrower's residence. The typical HELOC term is 30 years: a 10-year draw period followed by a 20-year repayment period. A HELOC is often used for home improvements, debt consolidation or other major expenses. In most cases, you can withdraw funds up to your available credit limit for the first 10 years (your draw period) using convenience checks, debit cards or money transfer via Online Banking.

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NON-QM

If your income or credit history falls outside the stringent guidelines set by standard mortgage loan programs, a non-QM loan may be worth considering. Non-QM is short for non-qualified mortgage, and understanding how non-QM loans work may help you decide if they’re a worthwhile financing option for you.

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Non-QM loans are handy for people who have found their dream home but were denied a home loan under qualified-mortgage standards. A non-qualified mortgage may provide a temporary lending solution until you meet regular mortgage guidelines and can refinance to a traditional loan.

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Non-QM loans are not like subprime loans from the last housing crisis. Lenders must make a good-faith effort to verify you can repay the loan. However, non-QM lenders can create their own guidelines to prove you can afford the monthly mortgage payments.