The option of using a non-occupying co-borrower on FHA, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac mortgage loan opens up homeownership to more borrowers. These are often first-time home buyers who wouldn't otherwise be able to qualify so soon.
Rather than provide their kids or grandkids with a check as a down payment on a home, some people choose to offer a gift of equity on an existing home.
The following will compare an FHA loan vs Conventional mortgage, not to show that one is better than the other, but to highlight the strengths of each mortgage.