HomeMathMortgage Guides & Articles
Straightforward answers to the questions that actually cost you money — affordability, loan types, taxes and saving interest. Every guide links back to a calculator so you can run your own numbers.
The Hidden Costs of Buying a Home
Closing costs, maintenance, taxes, insurance and the surprise expenses that add up after you get the keys.
FundamentalsHow to Build Credit to Buy a Home
The credit score you need to buy, how to raise it fast, and what lenders actually look at beyond the score.
Loan TypesTypes of Mortgages: The Complete Comparison
Every major mortgage type explained side by side — who each is for, the down payments, the insurance, and the real cost.
InsuranceHomeowners Insurance: The Complete Guide
What homeowners insurance covers, what it does not, how much it costs by state, and how it fits into your escrow payment.
RefinancingRefinancing: The Complete Guide
The math of refinancing — break-even points, closing costs, cash-out options and when to leave your loan alone.
TaxesProperty Taxes: The Complete Guide
How property taxes are calculated, which states charge the most, and how tax is baked into your monthly mortgage payment.
Saving MoneyDown Payment Strategies: How Much Should You Put Down?
The real tradeoffs between down payment sizes, what PMI costs, and when a smaller down payment is actually the smarter move.
FundamentalsHow Mortgage Interest Rates Work
What determines your mortgage rate, how it follows the bond market, and how to get the lowest rate possible.
BuyingHow to Buy a House: The Complete Guide
Every step of buying a home in 2026, from budget to closing, with real numbers, timelines and mistakes to avoid.
BuyingIs It a Good Time to Buy a House?
How to weigh rates, prices and your own situation instead of trying to time the market.
AffordabilityHow Much House on a $150,000 Salary?
A $150,000 salary supports about $3,500 a month in housing. The home price it buys.
AffordabilityHow Much House on a $100,000 Salary?
A $100,000 salary supports about $2,333 a month in housing. The home price it buys, by market.
FundamentalsMortgage Rate Forecast
What drives mortgage rates and what to expect, without pretending anyone can predict them.
BuyingWhen Is the Best Time to Buy a House?
How seasonality affects prices and competition, and the best months to buy.
BuyingHow Much Are Closing Costs?
Closing costs typically run 2% to 5% of the loan. What they cover and how to lower them.
InsuranceHow to Remove PMI
The steps to cancel private mortgage insurance, from automatic termination to refinancing.
Saving MoneyWhat Happens If I Pay an Extra $100 a Month?
An extra $100 a month can shave years off your loan. See the real savings.
FundamentalsWhy Did My Mortgage Payment Go Up?
The three usual culprits behind a rising mortgage payment, and what to do about each.
FundamentalsHow to Calculate a Mortgage Payment
The exact monthly payment formula, with a worked example you can do by hand.
FundamentalsInterest on a $300,000 Mortgage
Total interest on a $300,000 loan at 6.5% over 30 years, and how to cut it.
FundamentalsWhat Is the Average Mortgage Payment?
The national average mortgage payment, and why your number will differ.
BuyingCan You Buy a House with 0% Down?
Zero-down options exist through VA and USDA loans. Who qualifies and the trade-offs.
BuyingHow Long Does Mortgage Approval Take?
The typical timeline from application to clear-to-close, and how to speed it up.
FundamentalsMonthly Payment on a $300,000 Mortgage
The PITI breakdown on a $300,000 home at current rates, including taxes, insurance and PMI.
BuyingCan I Buy a House with a 700 Credit Score?
A 700 credit score qualifies for most loans with decent rates. What to expect and how to improve.
AffordabilityHow Much House on a $60,000 Salary?
A $60,000 salary supports about $1,400 a month in housing. See the home price that buys.
FundamentalsHow Much Is a $500,000 Mortgage Per Month?
The full PITI payment on a $500,000 home at current rates, with taxes and insurance.
AffordabilityHow Much House on a $200,000 Salary?
A $200,000 salary supports roughly $4,667 a month in housing under the 28% rule. See the home price it buys.
FundamentalsWhat Is a Good Mortgage Rate in 2026?
How to tell whether a quoted rate is competitive, and what factors move rates up and down.
AffordabilityHow Much House on $5,000 Monthly Income?
Using the 28% rule, a $5,000 monthly income supports roughly $1,400 a month in housing. See the math.
BuyingBuying vs Renting
The real financial comparison between buying and renting, including hidden costs on both sides.
Loan TypesVA Loan vs Conventional
VA loans offer zero down and no PMI. How they stack up against conventional loans.
Loan TypesFHA Loan Requirements 2026
The full FHA loan requirements for 2026: minimum credit score, down payment, debt ratio and loan limits.
FundamentalsAre Mortgage Points Worth It?
One point costs 1% of the loan and usually cuts the rate 0.25%. When that trade-off pays off.
TaxesProperty Taxes by State
Which states charge the most and least property tax, and how it changes your monthly payment.
FundamentalsWhat Is Escrow?
Escrow accounts collect property tax and insurance into your payment. Learn how they work and why they change.
Saving MoneyHow to Pay Off Your Mortgage Early
Extra payments, bi-weekly schedules and lump sums — how each shaves years off your loan.
BuyingHow to Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage
Pre-approval proves you can buy and makes offers stronger. Step-by-step guide to the process.
BuyingWhat Credit Score Do I Need to Buy a House?
Minimum credit scores by loan type, and the score you need for the best rate. Plus how to improve yours.
BuyingHow Much Down Payment Do I Need?
Down payments range from 0% to 20%+ depending on the loan. Learn the real minimums and the trade-offs.
InsuranceHow Much Is PMI?
PMI usually costs 0.5% to 1.5% of the loan each year. See what it adds to your monthly payment and how to avoid it.
Saving MoneyHow to Get the Best Mortgage Rate
Your mortgage rate depends on credit, down payment, shopping and timing. Eight ways to lock a lower rate.
AffordabilityDebt-to-Income Ratio (DTI)
Your DTI ratio determines whether you get approved. Learn how to calculate it and what number to aim for.
InsuranceHome Insurance Costs by State
Home insurance averages $1,000 to over $4,000 a year depending on the state. See the factors and the range.
RefinancingWhen to Refinance
Refinancing makes sense when you can recoup closing costs and come out ahead. Here is the rule of thumb.
FundamentalsPMI Explained
Private mortgage insurance protects the lender, not you. Learn what PMI costs and how to get rid of it.
Loan Types15 vs 30 Year Mortgage
A 15-year mortgage saves a fortune in interest but locks up cash flow. Compare both on real numbers.
Saving MoneyHow Extra Payments Save Interest
A little extra toward principal each month can save tens of thousands and years off your loan. See the math.
BuyingFirst-Time Home Buyer Guide
A step-by-step guide for first-time buyers, from budgeting to closing, with the numbers that matter.
TaxesThe Mortgage Interest Deduction
What the mortgage interest deduction is, who qualifies, and how much it is actually worth to you.
Saving Money7 Ways to Lower Your Mortgage Payment
Refinance, extend the term, shop insurance, remove PMI and more. Seven concrete ways to cut your PITI.
Loan TypesFixed vs Adjustable Rate
Fixed-rate mortgages lock your rate for 30 years; ARMs start lower but can rise. Learn the trade-off.
Loan TypesFHA vs Conventional Loans
FHA loans allow lower credit and down payments; conventional loans drop PMI sooner. Compare the two.
Saving MoneyBi-Weekly vs Monthly Payments
Paying your mortgage bi-weekly makes 13 full payments a year. See exactly how much interest it saves.
AffordabilityThe 28% Rule, Explained
What is the 28% rule, where did it come from, and should you actually follow it when buying a home?
FundamentalsWhat Is PITI?
PITI is the four-part true cost of a mortgage. Learn what each component means and why lenders care.
AffordabilityHow Much House Can I Afford?
Learn the 28% rule, debt-to-income ratio and other methods to find how much home you can truly afford.