Best Mortgage Lender Wilmington, NC | FHA, VA Loans

Conventional Purchase Financing

Buy your home with as little as 3% down.

Whether it’s your first home, your move-up home, or a second home — a conventional purchase loan gives you flexibility, competitive rates, and a smooth path to closing. Let’s get you pre-approved and ready to make an offer.

Min. Down

3%

Min. FICO

620

Loan Term

10–30 yr

Rate Type

Fixed / ARM

Avg. Closing

21–30 days

PMI

If <20% down

Final terms depend on credit, property type, and loan amount. Schedule a 15-minute call to get personalized numbers.

What It Is

The flexible, go-to loan for most buyers.

A conventional purchase loan is the most common type of home financing — used by first-time buyers, move-up buyers, and investors alike. These loans are backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines, which means consistent rules, competitive rates, and clear paths to qualification.

The biggest advantage of a conventional purchase loan is flexibility. Down payment requirements start as low as 3% for qualified first-time buyers and can scale up to 20% (or more) to avoid private mortgage insurance. Loan terms range from 10 to 30 years, and you can choose fixed or adjustable-rate options depending on how long you plan to stay in the home.

I work closely with each borrower to understand the full picture — credit, savings, timeline, and goals — so we can structure the loan to fit, not the other way around. The goal is a stress-free path from contract to closing.

 

Ideal For

Built for buyers who want options

Conventional purchase loans offer the broadest mix of flexibility, rate options, and property types of any loan program.

Low Down Payment

Qualify with as little as 3% down for first-time buyers and 5% for repeat buyers. No need to wait years to save 20%.

Drop PMI Faster

Unlike FHA, private mortgage insurance on conventional loans can be removed once you reach 20% equity — no refinance needed.

Fixed or Adjustable

Choose a 30-year fixed for predictable payments, a 15-year fixed for fast equity, or an ARM if you'll move in 5–7 years.

Wide Property Range

Finance single-family homes, condos, townhomes, second homes, and 1–4 unit investment properties.

Direct Communication

Talk to me directly — not a call center. Updates by text, email, or phone, 7 days a week during your loan process.

Fast Closings

Most purchase loans close in 21–30 days. I run a tight process so financing is never the reason your deal slows down.

What You'll Need

Documents to get started

Have these ready when you apply and we'll move fast. I'll send you a personalized checklist after our first call.

01

Income Documentation

Recent pay stubs (last 30 days), W-2s for the past 2 years, and last 2 years of federal tax returns.

02

Bank & Asset Statements

Most recent 2 months of statements for checking, savings, retirement, and investment accounts.

03

Identification

Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport) and your Social Security number.

04

Property Details

Once under contract: purchase agreement, homeowner's insurance quote, and HOA info (if applicable).

The Process

Your purchase loan, step by step

From the first conversation to handing over the keys, here’s how it works.

 

STEP 01

Free Consultation

A 15-minute call to review your goals, budget, and timeline. No commitment.

STEP 02

Pre-Approval

Quick online application. I'll review and issue a pre-approval letter you can use to make offers.

STEP 03

Find Your Home

You shop with your agent. Once you're under contract, send me the address — I take it from there.

STEP 04

Underwriting

Appraisal, title, and final document review. Regular updates so you always know where things stand.

STEP 05

Closing Day

Sign the final docs, fund the loan, and pick up your keys. Welcome home.

Frequently Asked

Purchase loan questions

The questions I get most often from buyers. Don't see yours? Give me a call.

For qualified first-time buyers, as little as 3% down. Repeat buyers typically start at 5%. To avoid PMI entirely, you’d need 20%. The right amount depends on your savings, monthly payment goals, and how much cash you want to keep in reserves.
620 is the minimum FICO for most conventional purchase loans. Scores of 680+ get noticeably better rates, and 740+ qualifies for the best pricing. If your score is below 620, we can either look at FHA programs (580 minimum) or build a short plan to raise your score.
Most purchase loans close in 21–30 days from contract to keys. The biggest variables are appraisal scheduling and how quickly you provide documentation. I’ll set clear expectations upfront so there are no surprises.
Yes. Conventional loans allow gift funds from immediate family for the entire down payment on a primary residence (when putting at least 5% down). The gift needs to be documented with a gift letter and source verification.
No. A pre-qualification is a quick estimate based on what you tell me — useful for early conversations. A pre-approval is a full review of your income, assets, and credit, and gives you a letter that sellers and agents take seriously when you make an offer.
Conventional loans typically have stricter credit requirements but more flexible PMI and property options. FHA loans accept lower credit scores and have looser DTI guidelines but require mortgage insurance for the life of the loan in most cases. I’ll help you choose based on your specific situation.

What I Can Help With

Loan programs built around your situation.

Whether you’re buying your first place, refinancing into a lower rate, or tapping
equity for a renovation there’s a program here for you.

First-Time Buyers

FHA Loans

Lower credit and down payment requirements — 3.5% down with a 580 FICO. Backed by the federal government.

Veterans & Military

VA Loans

$0 down financing for eligible Veterans, active-duty service members, and surviving spouses. No PMI required.dit and down payment requirements — 3.5% down with a 580 FICO. Backed by the federal government.

View VA loans →

High-Value Homes

Jumbo Loans

Financing for loan amounts above the conforming limit – luxury homes, second homes in high-cost areas, and more.

View jumbo loans→

Ready to make an offer? Let's get you pre-approved.