Conventional
The workhorse — 30-year, 15-year, and everything between
The conventional loan is the one most people picture when they think “mortgage” — and for good reason. It offers the widest choice of terms (30-year, 20-year, 15-year, adjustable), competitive pricing tied to your credit profile, and no upfront government insurance premium. It's also more flexible than its reputation: qualified first-time buyers often need far less down than they expect.
This tends to fit you if…
- You have steady, documentable income — W-2, salaried, or established self-employment
- Your credit is fair to strong (stronger profiles unlock better pricing)
- You want mortgage insurance to drop off as you build equity
- You're buying a primary home, second home, or simple investment property
Good to know
- Mortgage insurance (PMI) applies on smaller down payments — but unlike FHA, it can be removed once you build enough equity.
- The 15-year term trades a higher payment for dramatically less interest over the life of the loan; I'll model both so you see the real numbers.
- Loan limits are set annually by county; above them, we're in jumbo territory — which I also handle.
How it works with me
- 01
Profile review
We look at income, credit, and savings together and pick the term that fits your monthly comfort zone.
- 02
Lender match
I price your exact profile across my lender panel — the same file can price very differently lender to lender.
- 03
Lock and close
We lock when the timing is right for you, and I manage the file through underwriting to the closing table.
Quick answers
Is a huge down payment required?
No — that's the most persistent myth in this business. Qualified buyers can often start with far less than they assume. Your exact number depends on your file, and Ingrid will give it to you straight on a short call.
30-year or 15-year?
It depends on what the higher 15-year payment would crowd out of your life. I'll put both side by side — payment, total interest, payoff date — and you'll pick with real numbers, not vibes.
Next step
Not sure this is the one? That's my job, not yours.
Fifteen minutes on the phone and I'll tell you which program actually fits your file — and what it takes to qualify.
The next step
15 minutes with Ingrid beats a week of googling.
No obligation, no pressure. Tell her where you are — she'll tell you exactly what's possible and what happens next.