One of the key advantages of conventional loans is that they do not require borrowers to pay an upfront mortgage insurance premium, unlike FHA loans. This means you save significantly at the time of closing, keeping more money in your pocket when it matters most. While private mortgage insurance (PMI) may apply if you put down less than 20%, it is not a permanent cost. Once you’ve built up enough equity in your home, you can request to remove PMI, or it may automatically drop off once the loan-to-value ratio reaches the required threshold.