Learn About

Mortgages

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How to Read a Mortgage Closing Disclosure

The Closing Disclosure gives the final terms and costs of a mortgage as you near the financing finish line.

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Barbara Marquand, Bella Angelos

Conforming Loan Limits 2026

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) will increase loan limits by 3.26%.

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Taylor Getler, Barbara Marquand

2022 Mortgage Applicants Sought Larger Loans, Faced Deeper Debt

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Elizabeth Renter

When To Refinance Your Mortgage — and When Not To

It’s not just about chasing a lower rate. Here’s how to tell if refinancing actually makes sense for you right now.

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Abby Badach Doyle

ARM vs. Fixed-Rate Mortgage: Differences and How to Choose

ARM rates start low, and payments can go up or down over time. Fixed rates are stable for the life of the loan.

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Holden Lewis

How Much Does It Cost To Refinance a Mortgage?

Most refinances cost 2% to 6% of the new loan amount — and even a “no closing costs” refinance doesn’t come free.

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Abby Badach Doyle

How to Make a Cash Offer With a Mortgage

Cash-offer financing programs give buyers who need mortgages the ability to make cash offers on homes.

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Barbara Marquand

What Are Non-QM Loans?

For creditworthy borrowers who don’t meet traditional lending requirements, a non-QM loan can provide a (more expensive) path to homeownership.

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Taylor Getler

What Is an Energy-Efficient Mortgage?

These niche loans help you buy an energy-efficient home or finance energy-saving upgrades.

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Abby Badach Doyle

Mortgage Rate Buydowns: How They Help Buyers Afford Homes and Sellers Attract Offers

A “temporary buydown" is a strategy some sellers, builders and lenders use to reduce a buyer’s monthly mortgage payments during the first few years of the loan term, helping make the purchase more affordable.

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Robin Rothstein

How High-Priced Homes Changed the Mortgage Game in 2021

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Elizabeth Renter

What Is a 10-Year Adjustable-Rate Mortgage?

A 10-year ARM has an introductory interest rate for the first 10 years. The rate adjusts every six months afterward.

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Kate Wood

What Is a 5-Year Adjustable-Rate Mortgage?

A 5-year ARM has an introductory interest rate for five years. After that, the rate changes every six months.

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Kate Wood

10 Mortgage Lenders Serving Black Communities

Black-led lenders make more home loans to Black borrowers — and they can be a good fit for allies, too.

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Kate Wood

Mortgage Points: Should You Pay These Optional Fees?

Mortgage points, also known as discount points, are fees you pay to reduce the mortgage interest rate and monthly payment.

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Hal M. Bundrick, CFP®, Barbara Marquand

Why Might Your Mortgage App Fail? Learn From 2020’s Denials

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Elizabeth Renter

Mortgage Brokers: What They Are and How to Find One

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Taylor Getler, Linda Bell

How Much Do Mortgage Brokers Make?

From lender-paid commissions to borrower fees, mortgage broker earnings come from various moving parts.

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Taylor Getler

Using a Mortgage Broker vs. a Bank

A mortgage broker can offer a wider array of options and streamline the mortgage process, but working directly with a bank gives you more control and may cost less.

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Kate Wood

How Much Does It Cost to Build a House?

How much building a house costs depends on factors such as the home’s size and location, as well as the costs of material and labor.

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Taylor Getler, Robin Rothstein