Mortgages, explained like a good neighbor would.
No jargon and no pressure. Pick what you are trying to do and we will walk you through how it works, what it costs, and what to ask a lender.
Three ways people use a mortgage
Most mortgage questions fall into one of these. Each guide starts with a short answer, then goes as deep as you want.
Buying a home
A purchase mortgage lets you buy now and pay over 15 to 30 years. Your credit score, down payment, and debts decide which loan fits.
Read the buying guideRefinancing
A refinance replaces your current mortgage with a new one. People do it to lower a rate, change the term, drop mortgage insurance, or take cash out.
Read the refinance guideHome equity
Equity is your home's value minus what you owe. A HELOC or home equity loan lets you borrow against it without touching your first mortgage.
Read the home equity guideHow getting a mortgage works
From first question to keys in hand usually takes 30 to 45 days once you have a signed purchase contract.
- Check your numbersCredit score, savings, monthly debts, and a budget you are comfortable with.
- Get pre-approvedA lender verifies income and credit and tells you what you can borrow.
- Compare Loan EstimatesAsk two or three lenders. The standard form makes rates and fees easy to line up.
- UnderwritingThe lender verifies everything, orders the appraisal, and issues final approval.
- CloseReview your Closing Disclosure three business days ahead, sign, and get your keys.
Latest mortgage news & guides
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Mortgage rates top 7% for the first time since early 2025: what it means for your payment
The 30-year fixed averaged 7.03% the week of September 24, 2026, up from 6.30% a year earlier. Here is what that does to a monthly payment and what buyers and owners can do.
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The Fed raised rates for the first time since 2023. Here is what it means for mortgages and HELOCs
On September 16, 2026, the Federal Reserve raised its target range to 3.75% to 4.00%. HELOC and credit card rates follow quickly; fixed mortgage rates react differently.
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Why mortgage rates follow the 10-year Treasury, not the Fed
Mortgage rates usually track the 10-year Treasury yield plus a spread. Understanding that link explains why rates can rise even before the Fed acts.
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Homes for sale hit the highest supply in over a decade: why buyers have more leverage
NAR data for August 2026 shows 4.9 months of supply, 1.62 million homes listed, and a median price of $429,100. What it means for negotiating.
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2026 mortgage rate timeline: from about 6% in March to over 7% in September
A week-by-week look at how the 30-year fixed mortgage rate moved in 2026 using Freddie Mac data, and what drove each shift.
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2026 conforming loan limits: $832,750 in most areas, up to $1,249,125 in high-cost counties
What conforming loan limits are, the 2026 figures from FHFA, how to find your county's limit, and why going over it changes your loan.
Why people trust these guides
Every rate, limit, and rule on this site is tied to a primary source such as Freddie Mac, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, HUD, the Federal Reserve, or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Each page shows when it was published and last reviewed.
We explain trade-offs honestly, including when a refinance or a HELOC is not a good idea.
Start with the basics
Payment calculator: see principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and PMI in one number.
Mortgage glossary: APR, escrow, LTV, points, and every other term in one or two sentences.
2026 mortgage rate timeline: how rates moved from about 6% in March to over 7% in September.
Ready to see real numbers?
Tell us what you are trying to do and a licensed loan officer can walk you through your options. No cost to ask.