Below is a reference guide for common scenarios in the mortgage lending world and info on loan limits, low and no-money down loan options, as well as common mortgage terms.
2025 Loan Limits (1-Unit Property Only):
Conventional $806,500
FHA $546,250*
VA No limit w/full entitlement**
USDA No loan limit***
*FHA loan limits vary by county. Contact your loan officer for more details.
**VA no longer follows conventional loan limits and has no loan limit for VA borrowers with full eligibility.
***The amount borrowed for USDA loans is limited by income and household’s debt-to-income ratio.
Low and No Money Down Loan Options:
0% down options include: USDA, VA, and FHA with Down Payment Assistance
3% down: Conventional
3.5% down: FHA (FHA mortgage insurance costs are 1.75% Upfront, 0.85% annually if LTV > 95%, 0.80% annually if LTV < 95% for loan amounts less than or equal to $625,500 with a 30-year term).
Common Mortgage Terms:
Closing Disclosure (CD): A form used at closing that provides a statement of final loan terms, projected payments, closing costs, and a summary of the transaction.
Debt-to-Income (DTI): The ratio, which is reflected in a percentage, of a borrower’s monthly payment obligation, divided by their monthly income.
Loan Estimate (LE): A form provided when applying for a home loan that outlines the terms, projected payments, and estimates closing costs of the loan.
Loan-to-Value (LTV): The ratio between the amount borrowed on the mortgage and the lower of the sales price or appraised value.
Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP): A policy that protects lenders should a borrower default on a loan. Usually required with a down payment of less than 20% and paid to either the FHA or the private mortgage insurer.
Lauren Bunting is a Broker with Keller Williams Realty of Delmarva in Ocean City, Maryland.