A mortgage is the largest debt most Americans will ever take on — and the difference between a good mortgage decision and a bad one can total six figures over the life of a loan. Understanding rates, loan types, affordability math, and refinancing timing puts you in control of the process.
Where to start depends on where you are in the home buying journey:
- How much can I afford? Our Home Affordability Guide covers the 28/36 rule, affordability by income level, and how down payment size changes what you can buy.
- Comparing rates? The Mortgage Rates Guide explains current 30-year, 15-year, FHA, and VA rates, plus how to lock in and when to refinance.
- Wondering about monthly payments? The Mortgage Payment Guide breaks down payments from $200K to $1.5M mortgages at current rates.
- Choosing a loan type? Our Mortgage Types Guide compares FHA, VA, USDA, conventional, jumbo, and construction loans.
- First-time buyer? The First-Time Home Buyer Guide covers programs, inspections, preapproval, closing costs, and down payment assistance.
- Already own a home? Our HELOC Guide explains home equity lines of credit, rates, requirements, and when they make sense.
| Key 2026 Mortgage Numbers | Amount | Learn More |
|---|---|---|
| Average 30-year fixed rate | 6.5–7.0% | Current rates → |
| Average 15-year fixed rate | 5.8–6.3% | Current rates → |
| Median home price (U.S.) | ~$420,000 | Affordability → |
| Minimum FHA down payment | 3.5% | FTHB guide → |
| Average closing costs | 2–5% of price | Loan types → |
| PMI threshold | 20% equity | Down payment → |
📖 Complete Mortgage Guides
How Much House Can I Afford?
Affordability by income, the 28/36 rule, down payment impact, and state-by-state breakdowns.
Mortgage Rates Guide
Current 30-year, 15-year, FHA, VA, and jumbo rates, plus rate locks and refinancing timing.
Mortgage Payment Guide
Monthly payment breakdowns for $200K–$1.5M mortgages at current interest rates.
Mortgage Types Guide
FHA, VA, USDA, conventional, jumbo, ARMs, and construction loans compared.
First-Time Home Buyer Guide
Programs, preapproval, inspections, closing costs, and step-by-step buying process.
HELOC Guide
Home equity lines of credit — rates, requirements, HELOC vs. home equity loan, and when to use one.
First-Time Home Buyer Hub
Step-by-step buying process, FHA vs. conventional, down payment programs, pre-approval, inspection, and closing.
Mortgage Payments Hub
Monthly payment tables for $200K–$1.5M mortgages, payment calculators, amortization, and bi-weekly savings.
Mortgage Calculators
Mortgage Payment Calculator
Estimate your monthly mortgage payment including principal, interest, taxes & insurance.
Mortgage Affordability Calculator
Find out how much house you can afford based on your income, debts & down payment.
Amortization Calculator
See your full amortization schedule and how each payment splits between principal & interest.
Bi-Weekly Mortgage Calculator
See how much you can save by making bi-weekly payments instead of monthly.
Closing Cost Calculator
Estimate your total closing costs when buying or refinancing a home.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator
Compare the long-term cost of renting versus buying a home.
Income to Afford Home Calculator
Calculate the income needed to afford a home at a given price.
Home Equity Calculator
Track your home equity based on your property value and mortgage balance.
Property Tax Calculator
Estimate annual property taxes based on your home value and local rates.
New House Calculator
Set a realistic home budget using income, debt, taxes, insurance, and rate assumptions.
Ratio Debt Calculator
Calculate front-end and back-end DTI for mortgage planning and approval readiness.
Mortgage Payoff Recession Calculator
Compare extra principal payoff versus liquidity-first strategy during economic uncertainty.
Home Buying Guides
How to Buy Your First Home
A step-by-step guide to the entire home buying process for first-time buyers.
First-Time Home Buyer Programs
Federal and state programs that help first-time buyers with down payment assistance and more.
Types of Mortgages Explained
Compare fixed-rate, adjustable-rate, FHA, VA, USDA, and other loan types.
Current Mortgage Rates
Today's average mortgage rates for 30-year, 15-year, and adjustable-rate loans.
FHA Loan Guide
Requirements, limits, and pros/cons of FHA-insured mortgages.
VA Loan Guide
Eligibility, benefits, and how to apply for a VA home loan.
USDA Loan Guide
Zero-down financing for eligible rural and suburban home buyers.
Mortgage Pre-Approval Guide
What you need, how it works, and why it matters when making an offer.
Credit Score to Buy a House
Minimum credit scores for each loan type and tips to improve yours.
Home Inspection Guide
What to expect, common red flags, and how to negotiate after an inspection.
Home Appraisal Guide
How appraisals work and what to do if the value comes in low.
Average Closing Costs
What buyers and sellers typically pay in closing costs by state.
Average Down Payment
How much Americans actually put down on a home by age, state, and loan type.
Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)
What PMI costs, when it's required, and how to get rid of it.
Mortgage Points Explained
When buying points makes sense and how to calculate the break-even.
Fixed vs. Variable Rate
Compare fixed and adjustable-rate mortgages to pick the right one.
15-Year vs. 30-Year Mortgage
Payment differences, total interest, and which term fits your situation.
Renting vs. Buying
A comprehensive look at when renting wins and when ownership pays off.
Income Needed to Afford a Home
How much you really need to earn to buy a home in every state.
Refinancing & Home Equity
Mortgage Refinancing Guide
When refinancing makes sense, the process, and how to calculate savings.
HELOC Guide
How home equity lines of credit work, rates, and when to use one.
Home Equity Loan vs. HELOC
Key differences and which option is better for your situation.
Reverse Mortgage Guide
How reverse mortgages work, eligibility, and important pros and cons.
Mortgage Rate Lock-In Effect
How existing low rates keep homeowners from selling and what it means for the market.
Mortgage Rate History
Historical mortgage rate trends and what they mean for today's buyers.
How Much House Can I Afford?
On a $50K Salary
How much home you can realistically afford on a $50,000 income.
On a $75K Salary
Home affordability breakdown for a $75,000 annual income.
On a $100K Salary
Home buying power at a six-figure income level.
On a $150K Salary
What a $150,000 household income means for home affordability.
On a $200K Salary
Upper-income home buying power and options.
On a $250K Salary
High-income home affordability breakdown.
How Much Rent Can I Afford?
Guidelines for setting a rent budget based on your income.
Home Cost-to-Income Ratio
How home prices compare to incomes across the country.
Monthly Payment Breakdowns
$200K Mortgage Payment
Monthly payment estimates for a $200,000 mortgage at various rates and terms.
$300K Mortgage Payment
What you'll pay monthly on a $300,000 mortgage.
$400K Mortgage Payment
Monthly costs for a $400,000 mortgage by rate and term.
$500K Mortgage Payment
Payment breakdown for a half-million dollar home loan.
Homeownership Costs & Tips
True Cost of Homeownership
Beyond the mortgage: maintenance, taxes, insurance, and hidden costs.
Average Home Maintenance Costs
How much homeowners spend annually on repairs and upkeep.
Average Renovation Costs
Typical costs for kitchens, bathrooms, and major home renovations.
Home Improvement ROI
Which renovations add the most value when you sell.
Cost to Sell a House
Agent commissions, staging, repairs, and other selling costs.
Cost to Build a House
Average costs to build a new home by size, region, and material.
HOA Fees Explained
What HOA fees cover, average costs, and how they affect affordability.
Downsizing Guide
When and how to downsize your home to save money and simplify life.
Tax Deductions for Homeowners
Mortgage interest, property tax, and other deductions you may qualify for.
Housing Market Data & Statistics
Home Prices by State
Average and median home prices in every U.S. state.
Home Prices by City
Housing costs in major metro areas across the country.
Median Home Price
Current national median home price and historical trends.
Average Mortgage Payment
What Americans actually pay for their monthly mortgage.
Average Rent by State
Rental costs across all 50 states for apartments and houses.
Property Tax by State
Effective property tax rates and average bills in every state.
Property Tax Rates by State
Detailed property tax rate comparison across all states.
Home Size by State
Average square footage of homes across the U.S.
Homeownership Rate by State
Percentage of residents who own their home in each state.
Homeownership Rate by Age
How homeownership rates vary by generation and age group.
Housing Market Predictions
Expert forecasts and data-driven outlook for the housing market.
Mortgage Affordability Gap
How the gap between incomes and home prices has widened.
American Dream Affordability
The true cost of homeownership, education, and retirement today.
Best States to Buy a House
Rankings based on affordability, taxes, job markets, and quality of life.
More Mortgages Topics
Home Buying Process Guide 2026
Home buying process in 2026: how to buy, sell, and close with less risk. Compare FSBO, auctions, cash buyers,
Mortgage Basics 2026
Mortgage basics in 2026: pre-approval, underwriting, APR, loan types, first-time buyer programs, and practical
Mortgage Rates 2026
Compare current mortgage rates for 2026 — 30-year, 15-year, FHA, VA, jumbo, ARM, and refinance rates. Rate his
Mortgage Refinancing
How mortgage refinancing works, when to refinance, break-even analysis, types of refinance, and a step-by-step
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