Learn About

Mortgages

Back to Page 1

FHA Loan Requirements for 2026

FHA loan requirements include a minimum credit score of 500 as well as limits on your total monthly debt load.

Kate Wood's profile picture
2
Kate Wood, Abby Badach Doyle

FHA Loans: What to Know in 2026

An FHA loan is a mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration. FHA loans are helpful for buyers with limited savings or lower credit scores.

Abby Badach Doyle's profile picture
Abby Badach Doyle

FHA vs. Conventional Loans: Pros, Cons and Differences

FHA loans allow lower credit scores and are easier to qualify for. Conventional loans allow lower down payments.

Kate Wood's profile picture
2
Kate Wood, Robin Rothstein

VA IRRRL vs. VA Cash-Out Refinance

An IRRRL can get you better loan terms, while a VA cash-out refinance lets you tap into your equity.

Taylor Getler's profile picture
2
Taylor Getler, Barbara Marquand

VA Loan Limits for 2026

VA loan limits follow the conforming loan limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Authority.

Taylor Getler's profile picture
2
Taylor Getler, Robin Rothstein

VA Loan Funding Fee Requirements

The VA Funding Fee is a one-time charge that replaces mortgage insurance and ranges from 1.25% to 3.3% of the total loan amount.

Barbara Marquand's profile picture
2
Barbara Marquand, Robin Rothstein

VA Loan Requirements for 2026

VA loans typically don't require a down payment, but you still need decent credit and sufficient income to get approved.

Hal M. Bundrick, CFP®'s profile picture
2
Hal M. Bundrick, CFP®, Robin Rothstein

VA Loans vs. Conventional Loans

VA loans require no down payment, but conventional loans are worth considering, especially if you can put 20% down to avoid mortgage insurance.

Taylor Getler's profile picture
Taylor Getler

Guide to VA Home Loans: How They Work, Who Qualifies

VA loans are for current and veteran service members, as well as eligible spouses. VA mortgages have competitive interest rates and usually require no down payment.

Taylor Getler's profile picture
2
Taylor Getler, Robin Rothstein

80-10-10 Piggyback Loan: Avoid PMI With a Second Mortgage

An 80-10-10 or piggyback loan lets you buy a home with two loans totaling 90% of the price, plus a 10% down payment.

Holden Lewis's profile picture
Holden Lewis

FHA Title 1 Loans: What You Need to Know

You don't need equity in your home to get an FHA Title 1 loan, but there are maximum loan amounts to consider.

Bella Angelos's profile picture
Bella Angelos

What Is a Construction Loan and How Does it Work?

Construction loans pay for home building or renovations and are paid in full or converted to permanent mortgages when the work is completed.

Taylor Getler's profile picture
Taylor Getler

Mortgage Rate Tracker

Taylor Getler's profile picture
2
Taylor Getler, Holden Lewis

How to Apply for a Mortgage

Our step-by-step guide details the mortgage application process, explaining what you do and what the lender does.

Taylor Getler's profile picture
Taylor Getler

Pros and Cons of a 15-Year Mortgage

A 15-year mortgage lets you own your home faster and pay less interest. Higher monthly payments are the trade-off.

Kate Wood's profile picture
Kate Wood

Pros and Cons of a 30-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage

A longer repayment period qualifies buyers for lower payments or a pricier home. But the rate will be higher and you'll pay more interest over the life of the loan.

Bella Angelos's profile picture
Bella Angelos

How Interest-Only Mortgages Work: Pros and Cons

An interest-only mortgage offers a lower monthly payment at first and is best suited for people with ample assets, good credit and short-term ownership plans.

Bella Angelos's profile picture
2
Bella Angelos, Hal M. Bundrick, CFP®

Adjustable-Rate Mortgage: Pros and Cons

Pros include low introductory rates; cons include the potential for bigger payments over time.

Barbara Marquand's profile picture
Barbara Marquand

How to Get Rid of PMI

You can wait for PMI to cancel automatically, request early cancellation, get a reappraisal or refinance the mortgage to get rid of it.

Bella Angelos's profile picture
Bella Angelos

How to Get a Mortgage

To get a mortgage, you’ll generally need a decent credit score and sufficient down payment — though exact requirements vary by loan type and lender.

Kate Wood's profile picture
Kate Wood