Mortgages
Affordability, down payments, and the difference between the loan types you'll be offered.
How Much House Can I Afford?
The 28/36 rule lenders actually use, plus the costs beyond the mortgage payment that shrink your real budget.
What Credit Score Do I Need to Buy a House?
Minimum score guidelines by loan program — conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA — and how score affects the rate offered.
How Much Is a Down Payment on a House?
Down payment minimums by loan program, and how down payment size relates to the PMI requirement on conventional loans.
Is It the Right Time to Refinance My High-Interest Mortgage?
The break-even math and rate factors involved in refinancing an existing mortgage.
How to use these mortgages answers
Start with the question closest to the decision you are making, then follow the linked calculators, official sources, and related explanations for the numbers behind it. The 4 answers in this collection are written to separate general rules from the details that depend on your circumstances.
Compare dates, eligibility requirements, fees, rates, and assumptions before acting. Financial rules and product terms can change, so each answer highlights the facts worth confirming and points you toward a practical next step instead of treating a broad rule of thumb as personal advice.