Conventional loans typically are harder to qualify for than FHA loans and require a slightly higher down payment. However, in some cases rates can be lower and have lower closing costs. Also, monthly mortgage insurance is usually less or can be nothing with 20% down payment.

30-Year Fixed

A 30-year fixed conventional loan is a loan that has the same mortgage payments for 360 months.

20-Year Fixed

This type of loan is the same as the 30-year fixed rate loan except the life of the loan is 240 months as opposed to 360 months. Since the loan is being paid slightly faster than the 30-year fixed rate loan, monthly payments for this type of loan are higher than the 30-year fixed rate loan. Some Lenders allow for a lesser rate.

15-Year Fixed

This type of loan is the same as the 30-year fixed rate loan except the life of the loan is 180 months as opposed to 360 months. Since the loan is being paid faster than either the 30-year fixed rate loan or the 20-year fixed rate loan, monthly payments for this type loan are higher than the other two loans. Generally, the longer a lender agrees to keep the interest rate “fixed,” the greater the risk to the lender, therefore, in most instances, interest rates on 15-year fixed rate loans are slightly lower than on 20- or 30-year fixed rate loans.