The 28/36 Rule
When a lender decides how much house you can afford, they don't start with the listing price. They start with two percentages: 28 and…
Read guide →15-Year vs 30-Year Mortgage
The most consequential checkbox on a mortgage application isn't the rate — it's the term. Choosing between a 15-year and a 30-year mortgage changes…
Read guide →Mortgage Points Break-Even
At closing, your lender will offer you a deal: pay some money now, and we'll lower your interest rate for the next 30 years.…
Read guide →ARM vs Fixed-Rate Mortgage
A fixed-rate mortgage is a promise: the same payment for 30 years, no matter what the economy does. An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) is a…
Read guide →When to Refinance
Refinancing is the closest thing to a "do-over" button in personal finance: replace your current mortgage with a new one on better terms. Done…
Read guide →How to Remove PMI
Private mortgage insurance is the monthly fee you pay for the privilege of buying a home with less than 20% down — typically $100…
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