AD Mortgage, a leading wholesale lender in the United States, today released the results of its 2026 survey, Conventional Lending Heading Into 2027. Based on responses from more than 250 mortgage professionals, the study offers a look at how Conventional lending has changed since 2023 and where brokers expect it to go next. Responses show an even split: 30.5% said Conventional had grown as a share of their business, and the same share said it had declined.

Another 39.1% said Conventional's share of their business had stayed about the same. Looking ahead, 46.4% expect it to remain steady over the next 12 to 24 months, while 34.5% anticipate growth and 19.1% expect a decline.

The survey points to areas of opportunity and challenge for mortgage professionals. Better pricing or total cost is the most commonly selected reason to choose Conventional (57.7%), while income and DTI qualification is the leading obstacle to closing (55.0%). Standard conforming purchases remain the most common transaction, cited by 85% of respondents.

"Mortgage professionals are looking at the complete picture: what works for the borrower, how the loan is priced and what it takes to get to closing," said Max Slyusarchuk, CEO of AD Mortgage. "These results show that pricing and qualification both shape Conventional lending today. We hope they help our partners have clear, useful conversations with borrowers about the options available."

Key highlights include:

• 30.5% report an increase in Conventional's share of their business since 2023, the same share who report a decline; 39.1% say it has stayed about the same.

• 46.4% expect a stable share over the next 12 to 24 months. More respondents anticipate growth (34.5%) than decline (19.1%).

• Standard conforming purchases lead the reported pipeline at 85%. Cash-out refinances (38.6%) and investment-property purchases (38.2%) are the next most common transactions.

• First-time homebuyers are the most common profile at 40%. Better pricing or total cost is the leading reason to choose Conventional (57.7%), ahead of lower mortgage insurance or fees (32.3%).

• Income and DTI are the top obstacles to closing (55.0%), followed by credit and pricing (40.5%). Pricing is also the leading factor in lender selection (82.7%), followed by faster underwriting or closing (55.0%); DU versus LPA findings lead agency selection at 45.5%.

For mortgage professionals, the results point to a practical balance: keep an eye on pricing and execution while working through the income and DTI questions that can affect a borrower's path to closing.

About the Study

AD Mortgage surveyed more than 250 mortgage professionals from September 1-30, 2026, about their Conventional business, borrowers, qualification challenges, agency choices and workflows.

For this survey, Conventional means Fannie Mae- or Freddie Mac-eligible lending, including standard conforming and high-balance loans. The survey was conducted during a period of heightened market volatility.

For more information, please visit https://admortgage.com/data-hub/conventional-mortgage-trends/

About AD Mortgage

As a premier direct mortgage lender, AD Mortgage offers a full spectrum of Conventional, Government, and Non-QM loan products with 24-hour turnaround times and some of the most competitive rates in the industry. In addition to their AD Power Jumbo loan product, AD Mortgage offers programs for Prime borrowers, Foreign National borrowers, as well as borrowers with imperfect credit histories. Programs with no income verification are also offered for investment property loans.

The company offers free concierge services, bank statement reviews, marketing tools and resources, and more to support the brokers they serve. In 2025, AD Mortgage received several prestigious industry awards, including HousingWire Vanguard Award, PROGRESS in Lending's Lending Luminary Award, National Mortgage Professional's Legend of Lending Award, HousingWire Industry Titan Award. This year, the company was also featured in CBS, Bloomberg, and Inc., underscoring its growing influence and leadership in the mortgage industry.

AD Mortgage is an Equal Housing Lender. NMLS ID #958660. 899 W Cypress Creek Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309. For important disclosures and state licensing information:https://admortgage.com/important-disclosures/

Media Contact Details

Andy Restrepo

AD Mortgage, LLC

Send Email

(645) 240-2300