Mortgage questions, answered.
Explore loan guides covering down payments, eligibility, costs, and questions to ask before choosing a mortgage.
Conventional loans: down payments, PMI, and what to compare
Conventional loans are mortgages without FHA, VA, or USDA backing. They can serve different property uses, but the rules for your primary home are not the same as those for a vacation home or rental.
Read the guide →FHA loans: eligibility, down payment, and mortgage insurance
An FHA loan is made by a lender and insured by the Federal Housing Administration. It can be worth comparing when your available down payment or credit profile makes other options harder to use.
Read the guide →VA loans: eligibility, zero-down financing, and closing costs
VA-backed purchase loans offer benefits for eligible veterans, service members, and certain surviving spouses. Start with your eligibility and entitlement, then compare the complete housing payment.
Read the guide →USDA loans: eligible areas, income, and costs
USDA’s Guaranteed Loan Program supports eligible primary-home purchases in qualifying areas. Check both the address and household eligibility before assuming a home qualifies.
Read the guide →Jumbo loans: larger balances, reserves, and loan terms
A jumbo mortgage finances an amount above the applicable conforming loan limit. The relevant limit depends on the property’s location, unit count, and year, so verify it for your purchase.
Read the guide →Down payment assistance: eligibility and repayment questions
Down payment assistance may help an eligible buyer with upfront costs. Start by understanding whether the help is a grant, a deferred loan, or a loan that may be forgiven under specific conditions.
Read the guide →DSCR loans: rental income, cash flow, and investor costs
DSCR financing is designed for investment property. Many programs focus on qualifying rental income compared with a defined housing payment, rather than traditional personal-income qualification.
Read the guide →Renovation loans: purchase, repairs, and project planning
Renovation financing can combine an eligible purchase or refinance with improvement costs. FHA 203(k) is one example; other programs have different project and borrower requirements.
Read the guide →Construction loans: budget, draw schedule, and permanent financing
Building a home adds a project budget and completion schedule to the mortgage decision. Clarify how the construction phase is funded and what financing will be in place when the home is complete.
Read the guide →