Conventional loans are all loans that are not guaranteed or insured by the Government.  In other words, all non-VA, FHA or USDA loans.

They come in two varieties:

• conforming
• non-conforming.

All loans that meet Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac’s criteria are called conforming.  Those that do not, are called non-conforming.

Most of the conventional mortgages made in the US are conforming; most of the loan programs are non-conforming.

Both the conforming and non-conforming varieties can be for a 1-4 unit property; either can be for a primary residence, for a second home or for an investment property.