Learn before you borrow.
Plain-English guides from our advisors. No jargon, no sales pitch.
Straight-Up Mortgages
A monthly, plain-English read on rates, home prices and what buyers, homeowners and investors can actually do about them. Read the latest issue.
How down payment assistance actually works
Grants, forgivable loans and lender-backed programs: what down payment assistance is, who qualifies and the tradeoffs to ask about.
Pre-qualified vs. pre-approved: what sellers want to see
The difference between a pre-qualification and a pre-approval, and why it matters when you make an offer.
When does refinancing actually make sense?
How to think about a refinance: the break-even point, removing mortgage insurance, cash-out and changing your term.