Mortgage Guides
Everything you need to know about buying a home, refinancing, and using your home equity — written in plain English, not banker jargon. Use the calculators alongside each guide to run your own numbers.
Buying a Home — Complete Guide
The full roadmap: credit, pre-approval, down payment, loan types, closing costs, and what to expect on closing day.
CreditWhat Credit Score Do You Need to Buy a House?
Minimum scores by loan type, how your score affects your rate, and how to improve it fast before applying.
Down PaymentHow Much Down Payment Do You Need?
3%, 10%, or 20% — the trade-offs between each option and when putting less down actually makes sense.
QualificationHow to Qualify for a Mortgage
DTI limits, income documentation, employment history, and how lenders actually evaluate your application.
MarketIs Now a Good Time to Buy a House?
2026 market analysis — rates, inventory, affordability — and a framework for making the decision for your situation.
Rate StrategyMortgage Points Explained
When buying down your rate makes sense, how to calculate break-even, and when to skip points entirely.
CalculatorRent vs Buy Calculator
Find your personal break-even year with opportunity cost, appreciation, and transaction costs factored in.
CalculatorAffordability Calculator
How much house can you actually qualify for? Uses the 28/36 DTI rule with your real income and debts.
CalculatorClosing Cost Calculator
Every closing fee itemized — the number that surprises most first-time buyers.
First-Time Homebuyer Programs by State
$5,000–$25,000 in grants and 0% down payment assistance — by state.
FHA vs Conventional vs VA — Which Is Right for You?
Full comparison of the three most popular loan types for first-time buyers.
The Mortgage Process Step by Step
Pre-approval to closing — what happens at each stage and how long it takes.
Home Equity — Complete Guide
HELOC, home equity loans, and cash-out refinancing explained — with calculators for each option.
HELOCWhat Is a HELOC?
How home equity lines of credit work, how rates are set, draw periods, repayment, and when to use one.
Home Equity LoanHow Does a Home Equity Loan Work?
Fixed-rate lump sum borrowing against your equity — when it beats a HELOC and when it doesn't.
RatesHELOC Rates — All 50 States
Current variable HELOC rates by state. Today's national average: 7.25%.
RatesHome Equity Loan Rates — All 50 States
Fixed second mortgage rates by state. Today's national average: 7.86%.
CalculatorHELOC vs Home Equity Loan Calculator
Variable vs fixed second mortgage — side-by-side with 3 Fed rate scenarios.
CalculatorCash-Out Refi vs HELOC Calculator
Critical comparison if you have a low existing mortgage rate. Don't refi without running this first.
How Much Home Equity Can You Borrow?
LTV limits, CLTV calculations, and lender requirements explained.
Is HELOC Interest Tax Deductible?
IRS rules on home equity interest deductions — what qualifies and what doesn't.
Refinancing — Complete Guide
When to refi, break-even calculation, ARM vs fixed, rate-and-term vs cash-out — the full picture.
StrategyWhen to Refinance Your Mortgage
5 situations when refinancing makes sense — and 4 situations when it doesn't, despite what lenders say.
RatesRefinance Rates — All 50 States
Current 30-year refinance rates by state. Today's national average: 6.67%.
CalculatorRefinance Break-Even Calculator
Find the exact month your monthly savings exceed closing costs. Is refinancing worth it for you?
CalculatorARM vs Fixed Rate Calculator
Model three ARM rate scenarios side by side. How much risk are you actually taking on?
CalculatorLoan Comparison Tool
Compare your current loan vs a refi offer. Total cost including closing costs over your stay period.
CalculatorMortgage Points Calculator
Should you buy down your refi rate? Find the exact break-even month.
Rate-and-Term vs Cash-Out Refinance
Which refi type is right for your goals — and the tax implications of each.
Should You Refinance to a 15-Year Mortgage?
The math on switching from 30 to 15 years — when the higher payment is worth it.