Guides on how mortgages actually work
Eight guides covering the arithmetic and decisions behind buying, financing and refinancing a home in the US.
How Is a Mortgage Payment Actually Calculated
A plain-English walkthrough of the amortization formula and PITI behind every US mortgage payment, with a worked example.
Read the guide →What Mortgage Lenders Actually Look At Before Approving a Loan
The five factors US mortgage lenders weigh most heavily when reviewing an application, explained without jargon.
Read the guide →Fixed vs Adjustable Rate Mortgage: Which Is Actually Better
How to weigh a fixed-rate mortgage against an ARM based on how long you'll hold the loan and your tolerance for uncertainty.
Read the guide →15-Year vs 30-Year Mortgage: Which Actually Costs Less
Why a lower monthly payment from a 30-year mortgage often costs over a hundred thousand dollars more in total interest, with real numbers.
Read the guide →The Closing Costs and Fees People Miss on a Mortgage
The fees that quietly add thousands to the real cost of a US mortgage and how to spot them before you sign anything.
Read the guide →The Arithmetic of Refinancing a Mortgage
How to calculate the break-even point on a mortgage refinance so you know whether it will actually save you money.
Read the guide →How to Improve Your Mortgage Approval Chances Before Applying
Practical, realistic steps to strengthen a US mortgage application in the months before you apply.
Read the guide →What Happens After You Apply for a Mortgage
A plain walkthrough of the underwriting and closing process after you submit a US mortgage application.
Read the guide →The US Mortgage Cost Checklist
A short, practical guide for anyone about to buy or refinance a home in the US — a fillable worksheet, the questions to ask a lender, and where to check official information before you sign.