Earn $25 CASH per qualified ChartSnap Founder referralUnlimited referralsNo purchase required—Join the Affiliate Program →

Mortgage Glossary

Conventional Loan

Mike Starr·Reviewed August 2026

A conventional loan is a mortgage that is not insured or guaranteed by a government agency. Conventional loans can be conforming (meeting Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac guidelines) or non-conforming (jumbo loans). They typically require higher credit scores and larger down payments than government-backed loans but offer more flexibility.