What is an FHA loan?

An FHA loan refers to a Federal Housing Administration loan, which is a government-backed mortgage specifically designed to help first-time homebuyers access mortgage financing with more favorable terms. These loans are attractive to those with less-than-perfect credit or limited financial resources because they typically require lower down payments and have more flexible qualifying criteria compared to conventional loans. The government backing lowers the risk for lenders, making it easier for borrowers to qualify for a home loan.

Though the other choices provide definitions related to mortgage types, they do not accurately represent the FHA loan. The first choice mentions private insurance, which is not applicable as FHA loans are supported by a government agency. The third choice describes a conventional loan that lacks government backing, which is opposite to the essence of what an FHA loan is. Finally, the last choice pertains to loans for investment properties, whereas FHA loans are primarily geared toward owner-occupied properties, further distinguishing their purpose from that of investment loan products.