Stage 2 of 6
What can I get?
Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, down payment help, self-employed and investor loans, and renovation loans.
Start with lesson 17 lessons, about 20 minutes in all. Last reviewed October 2026.
Lessons
- The four main loan typesConventional, FHA, VA and USDA loans differ in down payment, mortgage insurance and credit. If you qualify for VA, it is often the best of the four.
- Why VA loans usually win, and who qualifiesIf you qualify for a VA loan, it is often your best option: no down payment, no monthly mortgage insurance and typically lower rates than other loans.
- USDA loans: nothing down outside townA USDA loan can cover the full price of a home in an eligible rural area. The address and your household income decide whether you qualify.
- Down payment assistance: what it really costsDown payment assistance is often a loan with a second lien, not a grant, and the mortgage that comes with it may cost more. Compare the full cost first.
- Buying when you are self-employedSelf-employed buyers qualify with tax returns or bank statements. Write-offs that lower your taxes also lower the income a lender can count.
- DSCR loans for rental propertyA DSCR loan qualifies a rental on its rent, not your income. Rent divided by the full payment gives the ratio, and many lenders want 1.0 or more.
- Renovation loans: buy and fix in one loanOne mortgage can cover the home and the repairs. Compare FHA 203(k), HomeStyle, CHOICERenovation, USDA and VA options by job size and limits.