Blog·August 22, 2026
Which loan is “better” is the wrong question
People ask which loan is “better.” That is the wrong question. FHA and conventional are two different boxes. The right box depends on the down payment, the credit, the house, and how long you will keep the loan.
This page is a high-level walk-through, not a quote. I will not put a rate or an APR on a blog post. Those numbers belong to a file.
Who is writing this
I am a California REALTOR® (DRE #02240468) and a mortgage loan originator (NMLS #2781633). I originate under Tried & True Home Loans, a division of Rise Realty.
This page is not a commitment to lend and does not quote rates. If you want a number that belongs to your file, we start a real application.
FHA, in English
FHA is often used by first-time buyers. A lower down payment is the usual reason people look at it. Credit overlays can be more flexible depending on the file.
The property has to meet FHA minimum standards. There are county loan limits — I will not invent the dollar number here; we look it up against the house you are writing on.
Mortgage insurance works differently than conventional PMI and often lasts longer. FHA is useful for many buyers in Los Angeles County. It is not automatically the cheapest money.
Conventional, in English
Conventional is the default for many purchase files when credit and down payment are stronger. PMI can come off later when you have enough equity.
Pricing comes from the credit/LTV grid. In a lot of cases there is more property flexibility than FHA. It is still not a banner rate.
How I actually choose
I look at the monthly number, how long you will hold the house, and whether the house will clear FHA. I will say when FHA is the better box and when it is not.
The same person writes the offer and originates the loan. You do not get a second introduction when the underwriter asks a question.
Talk first, or start the file
If you want to walk the tradeoffs before you apply, call (818) 669-6142 or use the contact page. If you already know you are buying, start Get Pre-Approved — that is the real Tried & True application, not a teaser.
There are no rates on this page. The next useful step is a conversation or a file.