Mortgage & Home Articles
Payments, affordability, refinancing, PMI, closing costs and home equity. Read 10 guides, then run your own numbers with the matching calculators.
How Mortgages Work
Learn how a mortgage works, from principal and interest to escrow, amortization and the true monthly cost of owning…
Mortgage & HomeFixed-Rate vs Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
Compare fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs), including rate caps, risks and the situations where each…
Mortgage & HomeHow Much Down Payment Do You Really Need to Buy a House?
The 20% rule is a myth for many buyers. See minimum down payments for conventional, FHA, VA and USDA loans and the…
Mortgage & HomeWhat Is PMI and How to Avoid or Remove It
Private mortgage insurance protects lenders when you put less than 20% down. Learn what it costs, when it ends and…
Mortgage & HomeMortgage Pre-Approval
A step-by-step guide to mortgage pre-approval, including documents you need, how credit checks work and how…
Mortgage & HomeShould You Refinance Your Mortgage? A Break-Even Approach
Refinancing can lower your payment or shorten your loan, but closing costs matter. Learn the break-even test and…
Mortgage & Home15-Year vs 30-Year Mortgage
Compare 15-year and 30-year mortgages on monthly payment, total interest and flexibility to decide which term fits…
Mortgage & HomeUnderstanding Closing Costs
A breakdown of typical buyer closing costs, from lender fees and title insurance to prepaid taxes, plus ways to…
Mortgage & HomeFirst-Time Homebuyer Programs
Explore first-time homebuyer options in the US: FHA, conventional low down payment loans, state down payment…
Mortgage & HomeRent vs Buy
Buying is not always better than renting. Learn how price-to-rent ratio, time horizon and opportunity cost affect…
Mortgage & Home calculators
All calculators →Mortgage Payment
Monthly payment with taxes, insurance, HOA and PMI
Mortgage & HomeHow Much House Can I Afford
Maximum home price from income, debts and down payment
Mortgage & HomeMortgage Refinance
Monthly savings and break-even point of refinancing
Mortgage & HomeExtra Mortgage Payment
Interest saved and years cut by paying extra
Mortgage & HomeAmortization Schedule
Year-by-year principal and interest breakdown
Mortgage & HomeRent vs Buy
Compare net worth from renting versus buying
Mortgage & HomePMI
Private mortgage insurance cost and when it ends
Mortgage & HomeClosing Costs
Estimate cash needed at closing