Conventional Loans by Shining Star Funding

Conventional Loans By Shining Star Funding

Conventional Loans by Shining Star Funding

At Shining Star Funding—proudly a division of CMG Home Loans—we operate as a direct mortgage lender that offers a full range of loan products tailored to today’s homebuyers. When we talk about “Conventional Loans by Shining Star Funding,” we’re referring to financing that isn’t backed by a government agency. The conventional loan options we provide follow strict Fannie Mae standards, ensuring our clients receive reliable, conforming mortgage solutions.

Who We Are & What We Offer

As Shining Star Funding (SSF), we serve clients nationwide and deliver a modern, streamlined mortgage experience. Through our mobile app, clients can apply from anywhere, track loan progress with real-time notifications, compare loan programs, upload documents securely, and eSign with ease.

We support you through every stage of the conventional loan process:

  • Purchase Loans: Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, purchasing a second home, investing in property, or buying a fixer-upper, we have options designed for your goals.
  • Refinance Loans: Need to consolidate debt, lower your payment, get cash out, or switch to a fixed rate? We’re here to guide you.
  • Renovation & Construction Loans: Our RENOVATE program helps clients finance rehab work, home improvements, or ADU additions—all rolled into one single loan, similar to the HomeStyle® Renovation mortgage.
  • Specialized Financing: We also offer Down Payment Assistance (DPA) options and Jumbo Loans for borrowers whose needs extend beyond standard conforming limits.

How We Qualify Our Conventional Borrowers

Since we’re a direct lender, all our conventional loans follow Fannie Mae guidelines related to borrower credit, debt ratios, income stability, and property eligibility.

A. Credit & Debt-to-Income (DTI) Requirements

  • We typically require a minimum 620 credit score for loans run through Desktop Underwriter (DU).
  • DU-approved loans can go up to a 50% DTI, depending on the borrower profile.
  • Manually underwritten loans usually cap at 36% DTI, though we may consider up to 45% with strong credit and reserves.
  • Borrowers without traditional credit can qualify using nontraditional credit sources under manual underwriting, but DTI is limited to 36%, and the property must be a one-unit primary residence.
  • We follow standard waiting periods after major credit events such as bankruptcy or foreclosure, though we may consider faster requalification with documented extenuating circumstances.

B. Down Payment & Assets

  • First-Time Buyers: As little as 3% down.
  • Second Homes: Minimum 10% down.
  • Multi-Unit Primary Residences: Starting at 15% down.
  • PMI applies for all loans with less than 20% down.
  • Gift funds are fully acceptable for down payment and closing costs on primary and second homes.
  • Virtual currency must be converted into USD and deposited into a U.S. financial institution before it can be used toward closing.

C. Income Verification

  • We verify income to ensure it’s stable, reliable, and expected to continue.
  • Self-Employed Borrowers: We analyze business cash flow when 25% or more ownership is involved.
  • Rental Income: We use 75% of gross rent to calculate qualifying rental income. ADU rental income is allowed, but must not exceed 30% of the borrower’s qualifying income and the property must be a one-unit primary residence.
  • Cryptocurrency income is not eligible for qualification.

Eligible Property Types for Our Conventional Loans

We offer conventional financing on 1–4 unit residential properties in the U.S., including D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Eligible property types include:

  • Manufactured Homes, provided they are built on a permanent chassis, fixed to a permanent foundation, and legally recognized as real property.
  • Mixed-Use Properties, as long as the building is primarily residential, owner-occupied, and one-unit.

We cannot finance:

  • Vacant land
  • Agricultural or farm properties
  • Condo-hotel or co-op hotel units
  • Timeshares, houseboats
  • Properties rated C6 (repairs required to improve to at least C5)

FAQ's

Yes, we do—and helping first-time homebuyers is one of the things we enjoy most. At Shining Star Funding, we offer dedicated First-Time Homebuyer programs designed to make the journey into homeownership smoother, more affordable, and far less overwhelming.

We know buying your first home is a big milestone, and we take that responsibility seriously. Our team walks you through every step with patience, clear communication, and personalized guidance. We’ll help you explore low down payment options, down payment assistance, flexible qualifying programs, and the best loan structures for your financial goals.

Our goal is to empower you with the knowledge and confidence you need to make informed decisions. We’ll help you understand your numbers, compare scenarios, and prepare for the responsibilities of homeownership—all while making sure the process feels exciting rather than stressful.

When you’re ready to buy your first home, we’re honored to be the team you trust to guide you into this next chapter.

Yes, you can. At Shining Star Funding, we proudly support clients who want to build wealth and financial stability through real estate investing. Whether you’re purchasing your first rental property or expanding an existing portfolio, we offer financing options tailored specifically for Investment Properties.

We understand that investment loans have their own unique guidelines—from higher down payment requirements to rental income analysis—and our team is here to help you navigate all of it. We’ll review your goals, assess the property type, and walk through qualification factors such as reserves, credit, projected rental income, and market considerations.

Real estate investing is one of the most powerful long-term wealth-building tools, and we’re passionate about supporting clients who are ready to take that step. With us, you’re not just getting a loan—you’re gaining a lending partner who understands the strategy behind your investment and is committed to helping you grow.

Yes, we do. Life changes—income shifts, market rates move, and financial goals evolve. At Shining Star Funding, we offer refinance options specifically designed to help you lower your monthly mortgage payments and improve your overall financial stability.

When you come to us about reducing your payments, we start by reviewing your current loan, your interest rate, your equity, and your long-term goals. Our goal is not only to help you save money each month but also to make sure the refinance actually benefits you in the long run. We’ll look at whether extending your term makes sense, whether switching to a different loan type could help, or whether market conditions make this the right time to lock in a lower rate.

We want you to feel confident and comfortable with your mortgage—not stretched thin or stressed. If lowering your payment can give you more room to breathe financially, we’ll guide you through every step to make the transition smooth, clear, and beneficial.

Yes, we do. At Shining Star Funding, we understand that some of our clients are shopping in markets or purchasing homes that fall outside standard conforming loan limits. For those situations, we offer Jumbo Loans, which are specifically designed for higher-priced properties.

Jumbo financing requires expertise—and that’s where we come in. Our team will guide you through the qualification requirements, which are often more detailed than standard loans, including higher credit standards, stronger financial reserves, and thorough income verification. We take the time to understand your financial picture and help you choose the best structure for your needs.

Whether you’re purchasing a luxury home, upgrading to a larger property, or investing in real estate in a competitive market, our Jumbo Loan options give you the flexibility and borrowing power you need. We’re here to make sure the process stays smooth, transparent, and aligned with your goals from application to closing.

Yes, absolutely. At Shining Star Funding, we know that many of the best opportunities in real estate come in the form of homes that need a little (or a lot of) TLC. That’s why we offer financing specifically for renovation projects, including our RENOVATE, Fixer-Upper, and Rehab loan options. Whether you’re planning cosmetic upgrades, structural changes, or full-scale improvements, we’ve designed our programs to help you bring your vision to life.

Our renovation loans allow you to combine the cost of the home and the cost of improvements into a single mortgage, making the process much more manageable. Instead of draining your savings or juggling multiple loans, you get one complete financing solution with the support of our experienced team. We’ll walk you through contractor requirements, project planning, draw schedules, and everything else involved in turning a fixer-upper into your dream home.

We love these kinds of projects because they allow our clients to build equity quickly and craft spaces that truly reflect their needs and style. If you’re ready to transform a home with potential, we’re excited to help you make it happen.

Shining Star Funding operates as a direct mortgage lender and is a proud division of CMG Home Loans, one of the most respected names in the mortgage industry. What this means for you is simple: you’re working directly with us throughout the lending process. We’re not brokers sending your loan off to someone else—we handle your loan in-house, which helps us provide a smoother, clearer, and more reliable experience from start to finish.

As a direct lender, we have the flexibility to offer a wide range of loan products and tailor solutions that align with your financial needs. Being part of CMG Home Loans also gives us access to industry-leading technology, resources, and support systems that allow us to serve our clients with efficiency and excellence.

Most importantly, we operate with a client-centered approach. Every loan we handle is backed by our commitment to transparency, education, and personalized guidance. Our team is here to support you whether you’re buying your first home, upgrading, downsizing, refinancing, or investing. When you work with us, you’re in trusted hands.

Yes, we do. One of the most powerful financial tools homeowners have is the equity they’ve built up over time, and at Shining Star Funding, we provide Cash-Out Refinance options to help you access those funds when you need them. Whether you’re planning a renovation, consolidating high-interest debt, covering education costs, or simply strengthening your financial position, a cash-out refinance can open the door to possibilities that might otherwise be out of reach.

When you come to us, we take the time to look at your full financial picture—not just your equity, but your goals, your budget, and your long-term plans. We’ll walk you through how the process works, what your new payments might look like, and how much equity you can realistically and safely take out. Our job is to help you make a confident, informed financial decision.

We believe your home should work for you, not the other way around. If tapping into your equity can help you move forward, we’ll guide you through the process with transparency, care, and personalized support.

Yes—if you’re ready to build your dream home from the ground up, we’re ready to help make that vision a reality. At Shining Star Funding, we offer construction financing through our BUILD A HOME program, designed specifically for clients who want to create a home that’s uniquely theirs. Building a new home is a big undertaking with many moving parts, and we understand how important it is to have a knowledgeable lending partner supporting you from start to finish.

Our construction financing options allow you to bundle both the construction phase and the permanent mortgage into one streamlined loan process. This can help you control costs, simplify payments, and avoid the stress of applying for separate loans down the road. Throughout the process, our team walks with you step-by-step—connecting with your builder, coordinating draw schedules, and keeping everything aligned so the project stays on track.

Whether you’re designing a custom home, adding major structural features, or building on land you already own, we’re committed to helping you navigate the financial side with confidence. Building a home should be exciting—not overwhelming—and we’re here to make sure it feels that way.

Absolutely. At Shining Star Funding, we’ve invested in creating a truly modern, convenient, and user-friendly mortgage experience. We know life gets busy—between work, family, and responsibilities, you don’t always have the time to sit down at a desk or shuffle through paperwork. That’s why we built our next-level mobile app, designed to give you complete control and visibility throughout your loan process, right from your phone.

With our app, you can start your loan application anytime and anywhere. You can upload documents securely with just a few taps, receive real-time updates, and track each stage of your loan from application to funding. No guessing. No waiting for phone calls. No worrying about missing an email. We designed the app to keep things simple, efficient, and stress-free.

We believe transparency builds trust, and this app is part of how we deliver on that promise. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, refinancing, or exploring investment opportunities, our app keeps you connected and informed every step of the way. It’s like having your loan officer in your pocket—ready whenever you are.

Yes, we do. At Shining Star Funding, we understand that the down payment is often one of the biggest hurdles for many homebuyers—especially first-time buyers or families who are trying to transition into a better home but need a little financial boost to get started. That’s exactly why we offer Down Payment Assistance (DPA) programs. Our goal is to help make homeownership more accessible, and part of that commitment is giving our clients every possible opportunity to succeed.

When you work with us, we’ll personally walk you through the available assistance programs and help you determine whether you qualify. We’ll review factors such as income limits, property eligibility, loan types, and any required borrower contributions. We take the time to understand your situation because no two financial journeys are the same. If DPA is the right fit, we’ll help you integrate it into your mortgage plan seamlessly so your upfront costs become more manageable.

For many of our clients, this support is the difference between “someday” and “today.” If owning a home feels just out of reach because of the down payment, we’re here to help bring it within reach.

Shining Star Funding

527 Sycamore Valley Rd W, Danville, CA 94526
Toll Free Call : (866) 280-0020

For informational purposes only. No guarantee of accuracy is expressed or implied. Programs shown may not include all options or pricing structures. Rates, terms, programs and underwriting policies subject to change without notice. This is not an offer to extend credit or a commitment to lend. All loans subject to underwriting approval. Some products may not be available in all states and restrictions may apply. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Interactive calculators are self-help tools. Results received from this calculator are designed for comparative and illustrative purposes only, and accuracy is not guaranteed. Shining Star Funding is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or misrepresentations. This calculator does not have the ability to pre-qualify you for any loan program or promotion. Qualification for loan programs may require additional information such as credit scores and cash reserves which is not gathered in this calculator. Information such as interest rates and pricing are subject to change at any time and without notice. Additional fees such as HOA dues are not included in calculations. All information such as interest rates, taxes, insurance, PMI payments, etc. are estimates and should be used for comparison only. Shining Star Funding does not guarantee any of the information obtained by this calculator.

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CMG Mortgage, Inc. dba Shining Star Funding, NMLS ID# 1820 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org, www.cmghomeloans.com), Equal Housing Opportunity. Licensed by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act No. 4150025. To verify our complete list of state licenses, please visit www.cmgfi.com/corporate/licensing