Conventional Mortgages
The large secondary marketing agencies of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are chartered by the United States government and limited by law as to the maximize size of the loans. Loans that are at or below these loan limits are called "conventional mortgages". The majority of mortgages will fall within this distinction.
Government
Government loans include "FHA" and "VA". The Federal Housing Administration and Veterans Administration insure these types of loans. These mortgages are limited in amount by federal statute and are typically used in conjunction with a low down payment, marginal credit or government assistance is required to assist the borrower in qualifying for a loan.