Understand your mortgage before you sign.
Plain-English guides and free calculators for buying your first home, refinancing, and comparing loan types in the U.S.
Start where you are in the process.
Mortgage Basics
How mortgages work, key terms, and what to expect from start to finish.
Explore →Loan Types
Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA and jumbo loans compared side by side.
Compare →Credit & Qualifying
Credit scores, DTI and down payment requirements to get approved.
See what you need →Rates & Costs
How rates are set, points, APR, and what drives your monthly payment.
Understand costs →Buying Process
Step-by-step guide from pre-approval to closing day.
See the steps →Refinancing
When to refinance, how to do it, and whether it makes financial sense for you.
Learn more →Run the numbers in under a minute.
Estimates update as you type. No email required.
Mortgage Payment Calculator
Most usedEducation first. No sales pitch.
Independent
We don’t sell loans or take lender referral fees.
Plain English
Every term is defined the first time it appears.
Reviewed
Guides are checked against current CFPB, FHA and VA rules.
Private
Calculators run in your browser. Nothing is stored.
How much do I need for a down payment?
It depends on the loan. Conventional loans can start at 3%, FHA at 3.5%, and VA and USDA loans may require nothing down. Putting less than 20% down on a conventional loan usually means paying private mortgage insurance (PMI).
What credit score do I need to buy a home?
Many conventional lenders look for 620 or higher. FHA loans can accept lower scores with a larger down payment. A higher score generally gets you a lower rate.
When does refinancing make sense?
When the monthly savings recover your closing costs before you plan to sell or refinance again. Our break-even calculator shows that point in months.
What’s the difference between APR and interest rate?
The interest rate is the cost of borrowing the principal. APR adds lender fees and points, so it’s the better number for comparing offers.
Is Home Finance Lab a lender?
No. We publish educational content only and don’t offer loans or financial advice. Talk to a licensed loan officer before making any decisions.
Buying your first home? Start with the step-by-step guide.
From checking your credit to getting the keys, in the order it actually happens.