Mortgage guides
Plain-English explainers on how home financing works — no jargon, no lead forms, no sales pitch. These pair with our free calculators so you understand the numbers, not just see them.
How mortgage payments actually work
Principal, interest, taxes, insurance and PMI — what each part is, and how amortization shifts your money over time.
How much house can you afford?
The 28/36 debt-to-income rule lenders use, how to turn your salary into a realistic home price, and the costs that lower it.
Down payments and PMI, explained
How much you really need to put down, what PMI costs and when it applies, and how to weigh a bigger down payment against a smaller one.
Property tax and your payment
How property tax is calculated, why effective rates vary so much by location, how escrow works, and exemptions that lower your bill.
Fixed vs. adjustable, 15 vs. 30 years
The two structural choices that shape a mortgage most — and how to pick the one that fits how long you plan to stay.