Mortgage Guides
Step-by-step guides written in plain language to help you understand mortgages and use our calculators confidently.
Beginner Guide
How to Use a Mortgage Calculator the Right Way
A step-by-step guide to entering the correct values in a mortgage calculator, adding taxes and insurance, and reading your results accurately.
→Beginner GuideHow to Read an Amortization Schedule
Understand what every column in an amortization schedule means, how to use it to plan extra payments, and how it changes your payoff timeline.
→Beginner GuideHow to Calculate If Refinancing Will Save You Money
A step-by-step guide to calculating your monthly savings, refinancing costs, and break-even point before deciding whether to refinance your mortgage.
→Beginner GuideHow to Figure Out If You Can Afford a Home
A step-by-step guide to applying the 28% and 36% rules, calculating your down payment, and getting pre-approved before you start shopping.
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