Ask the question you actually have. Out loud, right now.
Jesse is Patriot's voice assistant. Ask about VA entitlement, what a down payment looks like on a $400,000 home, or how long a closing takes — without a form and without waiting for a callback. When you want a person, Jesse books one who is licensed in your state.
Jesse is a voice assistant, not a loan officer. Nothing it says is a commitment to lend or a quote. Conversations may be recorded to improve service.
Eight ways to finance a home, and a person who can tell you which one fits.
Every figure here reflects 2026 program limits published by FHFA, HUD and the VA, and is reviewed as they change.
VA loans
Zero down, no monthly mortgage insurance, and a funding fee waived for many veterans receiving service-connected compensation.
Conventional
As little as 3% down. Higher limits in designated high-cost counties. Mortgage insurance drops off once you reach 20% equity.
FHA loans
Built for buyers with shorter credit histories or thinner savings. Flexible qualifying, insured by HUD.
USDA loans
No down payment for eligible properties — including much of southern Utah and the areas around our smaller markets.
Jumbo loans
Financing beyond conforming limits, with underwriting handled in house rather than shipped out.
Construction
Build and permanent financing combined, so you close once and your rate is set before the foundation is poured.
Reverse mortgages
Convert equity into income or a line of credit with no monthly mortgage payment. 2026 HECM maximum claim amount $1,249,125.
Portfolio loans
For self-employed borrowers and investors whose tax returns understate real income. Bank statements and asset-based qualifying.
The three loans most buyers are actually choosing between.
| VA | Conventional | FHA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum down payment | 0% | 3% – 5% | 3.5% |
| Loan limit | None with full entitlement | $832,750 baseline; higher in high-cost counties | $541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling, by county |
| Monthly mortgage insurance | None | Removable at 20% equity | Usually for the life of the loan |
| Upfront fee | VA funding fee; waived for many veterans | None | Upfront mortgage insurance premium |
| Who it tends to fit | Veterans, active duty, surviving spouses | Buyers with savings and established credit | First-time buyers still building credit |
Where rates are this week
The national average, updated every Thursday.
Freddie Mac surveys lenders across the country each week. These are the averages they publish, so you can see which way the market is moving before you talk to us. Your own rate comes from your loan officer, with the APR spelled out, and it will not look exactly like a national average.
Freddie Mac national survey averages. These are not Patriot Home Mortgage rates or offers. Your rate and APR depend on your loan details.
Source: Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey, via FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
Twelve offices. Twenty-eight states.
Licensing is by state and by officer. Hover a region to see its offices. Tap a state to open Where we lend and meet the officers licensed there.
Questions buyers actually ask.
Do you need a down payment for a VA loan?
No. A VA loan requires no down payment for eligible borrowers with full entitlement, and it carries no monthly mortgage insurance. There is a one-time funding fee, waived for veterans receiving compensation for a service-connected disability. Since January 1, 2020 there is no loan limit for borrowers with full entitlement; limits still apply to partial entitlement.
What is the conforming loan limit in 2026?
The 2026 baseline conforming loan limit is $832,750 for a one-unit property, up from $806,500 in 2025. Designated high-cost counties carry limits up to $1,249,125. Financing above the applicable limit is a jumbo loan.
How long does pre-approval take?
A pre-qualification range takes a few minutes and does not require a credit pull. A full pre-approval usually takes one to two business days once we have income and asset documentation, and it is what makes an offer competitive.
Can I get a mortgage if I'm self-employed?
Yes. Self-employed borrowers qualify through conventional, FHA and VA programs using tax returns, and through our portfolio programs using bank statements or assets when tax returns understate real income.
Who is Patriot Home Mortgage?
Patriot Home Mortgage is the trade name of Belem Servicing LLC, NMLS #715386, founded in St. George, Utah in 2011. We are licensed in 28 states and operate thirteen offices. Verify our licensing at NMLS Consumer Access.
Get a range you can trust, and the name of the officer licensed in your state.
A few questions. No credit pull for the range. A real person for the number.