The loan type you choose decides how much you need to put down, what credit score you need, and how much you’ll pay for mortgage insurance. The guides and calculators in this section compare FHA, conventional, VA, and USDA loans with real numbers so you can see which one costs less for your situation.
Calculators and guides
- FHA loan calculator Your FHA payment with upfront and annual MIP, 2026 loan limits, minimum down payment by credit score, and a side-by-side comparison with a conventional loan.
- Conventional loan requirements Credit score, down payment, DTI, 2026 conforming limits, and PMI rules for conventional loans.
- Credit score to buy a house Minimum scores by loan type and how your score changes your rate and mortgage insurance.
- VA loan requirements Eligibility, the 2026 funding fee and exemptions, and how VA compares with FHA and conventional loans.
- USDA loan requirements No-down-payment loans for eligible areas: income limits, fees, and how USDA compares with FHA.
Key ideas in this section
- FHA loan: a mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration that allows 3.5% down with a 580 credit score.
- Conventional loan: a mortgage not backed by the government. Most need at least 3% down and a 620 credit score.
- MIP vs. PMI: FHA charges mortgage insurance premiums (MIP) at one price for everyone; conventional private mortgage insurance (PMI) is priced by credit score and can be removed.
- Loan limit: the largest base loan FHA will insure in your county, from $541,287 to $1,249,125 for one unit in 2026.