Everything you need to know about buying, financing, and refinancing a home — written for real people, not loan officers.
DTI rule of thumb
28%
of gross income on housing
The honest answer to the most important question in home buying — based on your income, debts, and down payment, not just a bank's pre-approval.
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Break-even point
Cost ÷ Savings
= months to break even
How to calculate your break-even point, when refinancing makes sense, and the one number that tells you if it's worth it.
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Min. score to qualify
580
FHA · 620 Conventional · 640 USDA
Minimum scores by loan type, how your score affects your rate, and the fastest ways to improve your score before applying.
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Steps to closing
12
from pre-approval to keys
From saving for a down payment to closing day — a plain-English walkthrough of every step in buying your first home.
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Home price
$300k
payment breakdown by term & down
Exact monthly payment at 10%, 15%, and 20% down across 15- and 30-year terms. Includes income requirements and state-by-state property tax breakdown.
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Home price
$400k
payment breakdown by term & down
Full monthly payment breakdown for a $400,000 home at every down payment scenario. Includes income required, PMI costs, and how state taxes shift the number.
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Home price
$500k
payment breakdown by term & down
What you really pay each month on a $500,000 home — P&I, taxes, insurance, and PMI across multiple down payment scenarios. Plus income requirements and jumbo loan info.
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Home price
$600k
payment breakdown by term & down
Monthly payment breakdown on a $600,000 home with 10–20% down. Covers income requirements, state tax impact, and how California vs. Texas taxes compare on the same price.
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Home price
$250k
payment breakdown by term & down
The complete monthly payment picture for a $250,000 home — including FHA options, every down payment scenario, income requirements, and property tax by state.
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1 point costs
1%
of loan · saves ~0.25% rate
One point costs 1% of your loan. Is it worth it? The break-even calculation, when points make sense, and when to skip them entirely.
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Loan term
year fixed mortgage
Side-by-side comparison of 15 and 30-year mortgages on a $350,000 loan — rate difference, total interest saved, and which term is right for your financial situation.
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Min. down payment
3.5%
FHA · 3% Conventional · 0% VA
Minimum down payments by loan type, PMI cost math, the 20% myth, and when a smaller down payment actually makes more financial sense.
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Closing costs range
2–5%
of your loan amount
Closing costs run 2–5% of the loan — on top of your down payment. Here's exactly what you're paying, which fees are negotiable, and how to reduce them.
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Loan type
580 min score · MIP vs PMI
Credit score requirements, down payment minimums, PMI vs. MIP differences, loan limits, and the clear decision framework for choosing between FHA and conventional.
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Compare up to
3
lender offers side by side
Compare up to 3 mortgage loan offers side by side with this free Google Sheets worksheet. See APR, total interest, closing costs, and monthly payment at a glance.
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