Home Buying Guides
Browse 10 guides about Home Buying on Numeraty.
15-Year vs 30-Year Mortgage: Which Is Right for You?
A 15-year mortgage saves you hundreds of thousands in interest but comes with higher monthly payments. Here's how to decide which term fits your finances.
Mortgage Closing Costs Explained: What You Pay and Why
Closing costs typically land between 2% and 5% of the loan amount -- $6,300 to $15,750 on a $315,000 mortgage. Our line-by-line example for a $350,000 purchase totals $12,596, and $3,861 of it isn't fees at all, just your own insurance, taxes, and interest collected early.
FHA vs Conventional Loan: Which Mortgage Is Right for You?
FHA loans require just 3.5% down with a 580 credit score. Conventional loans need 3-5% down with 620+ credit. Here's which costs less over the life of the loan.
First-Time Homebuyer Guide 2026: Step-by-Step
Buying your first home in 2026 means navigating 6.75% mortgage rates, elevated prices, and a complex loan landscape. This step-by-step guide covers every stage from credit prep through closing.
How Much House Can I Afford? A Step-by-Step Guide
Use the 28/36 rule: spend no more than 28% of gross income on housing and 36% on total debt. Here's how to calculate your real home buying budget.
Mortgage Points: When Buying the Rate Down Pays
One discount point costs 1% of the loan and typically buys about 0.25% off the rate. On a $400,000 mortgage at 6.75%, paying $4,000 for 6.50% saves $66.12 a month and breaks even in 60.5 months -- about 69 once you count what the $4,000 could have earned in savings.
Mortgage Rates in 2026: Current Rates, Forecast, and What to Do
Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey tracks 30-year fixed rates back to 1971 -- the post-pandemic spike to 8% in late 2023 was the highest since 2000. Rates have moderated since, but the path back to sub-4% territory hinges on inflation data and Fed policy decisions that remain uncertain through 2026.
What PMI Costs and How to Remove Mortgage Insurance
PMI typically costs $30 to $70 a month for every $100,000 borrowed. Federal law lets you request cancellation at 80% of your home's original value, forces automatic termination at 78%, and cuts it off at the loan's midpoint no matter what. FHA mortgage insurance plays by different rules.
Renting vs Buying a Home in 2026: The Complete Analysis
With 2026 mortgage rates near 6.75% and national median rent at $1,850/month, the rent-vs-buy equation depends on how long you plan to stay and your local market.
What Is a Good Debt-to-Income Ratio for a Loan?
A back-end ratio at or below 36% clears every loan screen comfortably, 36-43% still works at most lenders, 43-50% depends on the program, and past 50% approvals mostly stop. Fannie Mae's DU tops out at 50% DTI, FHA manual files baseline at 31/43, and VA tests residual income instead of a cap.