30-year fixed
A fixed principal-and-interest payment spread over 30 years.
The tradeoff
More payments can mean more lifetime interest than a shorter term.
MORTGAGES · START WITH UNDERSTANDING
A home loan that fits your life.
Start with a monthly budget, understand the loan options, and compare the full cost of borrowing. Your best next move begins before an application.
See the costs side by side.
Explore real provider products, published terms, source dates, and tradeoffs.
EXPLORE THE OPTIONS
Different products. Different purposes.
Educational comparisons of product types. These are not lender offers or provider rankings.
15-year fixed
A shorter payoff schedule can reduce total interest.
The tradeoff
The higher monthly payment may leave less room for other goals.
Adjustable-rate mortgage
An initial fixed period followed by adjustments under the loan terms.
The tradeoff
The payment may rise. Selling or refinancing later is not guaranteed.
Government-backed programs
FHA, VA, and USDA programs have different eligibility and down-payment structures.
The tradeoff
Insurance, funding fees, property rules, and other requirements may apply.
A SIMPLE WAY FORWARD
Make your next move an informed one.
01
Set a comfortable housing budget, including taxes, insurance, upkeep, and a cash cushion.
02
Compare loan types and gather income, asset, and debt documents before you talk with lenders.
03
Request Loan Estimates for the same loan scenario and compare rates, fees, and cash to close.
GO A LEVEL DEEPER
Learning center Good questions deserve clear answers.
Mortgages · 7 MIN READ
Your mortgage rate is fixed. So why did the payment go up?
Trace an unexpected mortgage payment increase through the tax bill, insurance renewal, and escrow analysis before you decide what to do about it.
Read guide
Mortgages · 9 MIN READ
Your rate lock expires Friday. Closing is next week.
A delayed closing puts a deadline on a rate you already chose. Learn what to ask about extensions, changing terms, and the true cost of waiting.
Read guide
Mortgages · 8 MIN READ
Your first home: from budget to closing
A practical roadmap for the decisions that come before the keys.
Read guide
Mortgages · 9 MIN READ
Mortgage preapproval vs. prequalification: what a letter tells you
Lenders use the two words loosely. Learn what a letter does and does not promise, when you have applied, and what can undo an approval before closing.
Read guide
Mortgages · 8 MIN READ
How to compare Loan Estimates, line by line
Make a fair comparison of rates, fees, and cash needed at closing.
Read guide
Mortgages · 7 MIN READ
Mortgage closing costs, line by line
Walk through each closing cost section of the Loan Estimate, see which charges you can shop for or that can change, and follow the math to your cash to close.
Read guide
Mortgages · 7 MIN READ
How to remove PMI: the 80%, 78%, and midpoint rules
Private mortgage insurance ends on a schedule set by federal law, and you can often end it sooner. Find your dates, the conditions, and what early removal is worth.
Read guide
Mortgages · 8 MIN READ
FHA vs. conventional loans: down payment, mortgage insurance, and total cost
FHA and conventional loans insure a small down payment in different ways. Compare the rules, the premiums, and what each loan costs over 5 and 10 years.
Read guide
Mortgages · 7 MIN READ
Interest rate vs. APR: what actually matters?
Two percentages answer different questions about your mortgage.
Read guide
Mortgages · 7 MIN READ
Build a mortgage budget with breathing room
Include the costs a headline loan payment leaves out.
Read guide
Mortgages · 9 MIN READ
Debt-to-income ratio: how lenders calculate it and what counts
How lenders build your front-end and back-end ratios, which payments count, how student loans and variable income are handled, and Fannie Mae and FHA limits.
Read guide
Mortgages · 9 MIN READ
15-year vs. 30-year mortgage: payment, interest, and flexibility
A 15-year loan costs far less interest but demands a much higher payment. Compare the two terms on one loan, and price a 30-year loan paid down faster.
Read guide
Mortgages · 7 MIN READ
Fixed or adjustable: understand the tradeoff
Payment certainty and rate risk deserve more attention than a starting rate.
Read guide
Mortgages · 7 MIN READ
Mortgage points and lender credits, explained
Paying more now or more over time is a tradeoff worth calculating.
Read guide
Mortgages · 9 MIN READ
Temporary rate buydowns: how a 2-1 buydown works and what it costs
A temporary buydown lowers your payment, usually for one to three years. See who pays, the contribution limits, why you qualify at the full rate, and when points or a lower price are worth more.
Read guideCommon questions about mortgages
Explore the linked guides for assumptions and primary sources. Eligibility and actual terms depend on the provider and your situation.