Finance & Mortgages

    Conventional Loan

    A mortgage that is not insured or guaranteed by a government agency. PMI is required when the loan-to-value ratio is above 80 percent.

    A conventional loan is any mortgage not insured by the FHA or guaranteed by the VA or USDA. It is made by private lenders. Borrowers with stronger credit and larger down payments often choose conventional financing.

    When the loan-to-value ratio is above 80 percent, the lender requires private mortgage insurance, which terminates automatically at 78 percent of the original value.

    On the exam

    Conventional means no government backing. The PMI trigger at 80 percent LTV is the most-tested feature.

    Exam trap

    A conventional loan with 20 percent down avoids PMI. Below 20 percent down, PMI applies until the balance reaches 78 percent.

    Tested in

    Residential Mortgages (9% of the exam)

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    This definition is Florida real estate exam-prep education, not legal, tax, or professional advice. Verify current rules against the official source before relying on them for a real transaction. Back to the full glossary.