Freddie Mac is known for primarily purchasing which type of mortgage loan?

Freddie Mac is primarily known for purchasing conventional mortgage loans, which are loans that are not insured or guaranteed by the federal government. Instead, these loans are typically made by private lenders and conform to certain underwriting standards set by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, its counterpart in the secondary mortgage market.

Conventional loans can be fixed-rate or adjustable-rate and might require a higher credit score compared to government-backed loans. Freddie Mac's role in buying these loans allows lenders to have more available capital, which they can then use to offer additional mortgages to consumers.

Government-backed loans, such as FHA (Federal Housing Administration) and VA (Veterans Affairs) loans, are designed for specific groups of borrowers and offer distinct benefits that are not typically associated with conventional loans. While Freddie Mac does engage in some activities that involve government-backed loans, its primary focus is on the conventional market, making that the correct choice in identifying the type of mortgage loans it mainly purchases.