The most common way to buy a home, built around your plans.

It depends on your credit, your savings and the home. Conventional loans often cost less over time for borrowers with strong credit, while FHA loans can be easier to qualify for. Compare both, with the full terms of each.

It depends on the loan, the home and your credit, and it may be less than you expect. Putting down less usually means paying mortgage insurance. Your loan officer can show you the options side by side, with the full terms of each.

Usually yes. On most conventional loans you can ask to cancel it once you have built enough equity, and it ends on its own at a set point.

Lenders set a minimum, and a higher score usually earns better pricing. A short conversation and, with your permission, a credit check tell you where you stand.

Yes. Conventional loans can finance the home you live in, a second home or an investment property, with different requirements for each.

The most a conventional loan that follows Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines can be, set each year by county and higher in some high-cost areas. Above it, a jumbo loan takes over.

A fixed rate keeps your principal and interest the same for the life of the loan. An adjustable rate starts fixed for a set period, then can move up or down within limits. Which fits depends on how long you plan to keep the loan.

Answering a few questions doesn’t check your credit. A credit check comes later, only with your permission, and your loan officer can explain how it may affect your score.

Your loan officer tells you why and what would change the answer, and can show you FHA or another program that may fit better.

Closing costs such as lender fees, an appraisal and title charges, plus mortgage insurance if you put down less. Your Loan Estimate lists every cost before you commit.