Can we get a Conventional Loan ? (PMI, credit score, rate, student loan)

[lukeb321]

We are meeting with a broker on Friday and was wondering if we could/should get a conventional loan with 5-7% down. According to their site the rates for conventional are 5.1% (5.3% APR) and for the FHA they are 5.5% (6.2% APR).

Were trying to get a 225k loan with around 15k down (around 7.5% down).

Can we get a conventional loan with that little down?

We have 750 credit.
$220 in student loan
$250 in car loan

Gross income is 83k a year.

What do you think?

[chet everett]

Might be very close, but the good credit score is going to help. The low car payment (I assume that is monthly) and very small student loan are also in your favor. There are lenders that will still let you do as little as 5% down, but to get the best rates avoid PMI you really should should for 20% down. The other option is to do the math on a 5/15/80 deal, where you use an initial second to avoid PMI -- you might have a good score to not get a terrible rate on the second. If you could get to 10/10/80 with your score you should be in good shape with several lenders...

Are you first time buyers? If so there may be lenders willing to "front" you the refund amount -- I generally discourage that sort of think, but it may be an option to pursue, so long as you get the DETAILS on how they are fronting that money...

[lukeb321]

Thanks - I will look into that. Any other information would be great. Little nervous going in for the first time on Friday.

[lukeb321]

and yes we qualify for the first time home buyers credit.

[VictorBurek]

As Chet suggested your best bet is do a first and 2nd mortgage to avoid pmi. With your scores you can easily qualify for a conventional loan. Some states are more difficult than other states getting 2nd liens, so based on the state you are buying in this may not be an option.