Alt A home loans are financing for borrowers with A- credit.  They are very helpful to many Seattle home buyers with less than perfect credit or unusual circumstances.  A very general dividing line between Alt-A and conforming loans is a 680 credit score.  Seattle realtors® and mortgage brokers know there are so many exceptions to this guideline that it's almost meaningless, but it can be helpful.  Alt-A loans start at either 620 or 640 credit scores, depending on the lender or loan officer you speak with.  Again, the credit score is only part of the picture.  Alt-A financing rates only differ from conforming rates by a fraction of a percentage, if that.  The major difference is who the contracts are destined for.  Conforming loans are sold on the secondary market to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.  Alt-A loans are either serviced by the same company who lent the money, or sold to insurance companies, pension funds or other private investors seeking a higher yield but lower risk investment.   Your Alt-A loans help many people buy real estate without paying subprime rates.