Learn • Guides

Mortgage guides that speak human, not “lender.”

Clear, no-jargon guides to loan programs, the approval process, and real-world strategies to help you feel prepared—not pressured—on your path to homeownership.

Built for first-time buyers, move-up buyers & investors Backed by real underwriting guidelines

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Loan Program Guides

Compare Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, Jumbo, Renovation, and more in plain English.

View all program guides →

Conventional

Conventional Loan Guide

Minimum down, credit score basics, mortgage insurance rules, and when Conventional beats FHA.

5-min read First-time & move-up →

FHA

FHA Loan Guide

Lower down payments, flexible credit, and how FHA mortgage insurance really works over time.

6-min read Low-down options →

VA Home Loan Guide

Zero-down eligibility, funding fee basics, and why VA can be one of the strongest offers on the table.

5-min read Eligible veterans & service →

USDA

USDA Loan Guide

Zero-down in eligible areas, income limits, and what “rural” really means in practice.

4-min read Location-specific →

Jumbo

Jumbo & Super Jumbo Guide

Higher loan amounts, reserve requirements, and how Jumbo guidelines differ from agency loans.

6-min read High-cost markets →

Renovation

Renovation Loan Guide

How purchase-plus-renovation financing works, what projects can be financed, and how draws and timelines are structured in real life.

6-min read Fixer-upper & updates →

Investors

DSCR & Investor Loan Guide

Debt-service coverage, rent-driven approvals, and how investors structure financing for long-term holds.

7-min read Investor-focused →

Self-Employed

Bank Statement Loan Guide

How lenders use 12–24 months of deposits instead of tax returns—and when that trade-off makes sense.

6-min read Self-employed & 1099 →

Specialty / Non-QM

Specialty & Non-QM Loan Guide

An overview of Non-QM tools—bank statement, DSCR, asset-depletion, ITIN, and more—in one plain-English guide.

7-min read Out-of-the-box scenarios →

First-Time Buyer & Process Guides

Answers to the “where do I even start?” questions.

View all first-time guides →

First-Time

How Much Home Can I Afford?

A simple framework for balancing payment comfort, down payment, and long-term plans.

5-min read Includes calculator link →

Process

Pre-Approval vs. Pre-Qualification

What agents and sellers expect, and why a true pre-approval can help your offer stand out.

4-min read Before you shop →

Process

What Happens After You’re Under Contract

From disclosures to appraisal to clear-to-close, step-by-step in normal language.

6-min read Timeline overview →

Down Payment

Down Payment Options & Assistance

3%, 3.5%, 5%+, plus how grants, gifts, and assistance programs can help.

5-min read Local programs vary →

Credit

Credit & Score Basics for Homebuyers

What matters most in a mortgage credit pull—and what usually matters less than people fear.

5-min read Education only →

Closing

What Happens on Closing Day

Who’s there, what you’ll sign, and how to know your final numbers ahead of time.

4-min read Day-of checklist →

Strategy & Underwriting Guides

Turn guidelines into practical moves for your situation.

View strategy & underwriting →

Strategy

Refinance Your Mortgage: A Plain-English Guide

When lowering your payment, shortening your term, or tapping equity through a refinance actually makes sense—and when it might not.

6-min read Existing homeowners →

Strategy

1-0, 2-1, & 3-2-1 Buydowns Explained

How temporary buydowns work, who can pay for them, and when they may make more sense than points.

6-min read Agent-friendly resource →

Strategy

Recasting Your Mortgage vs. Refinancing

When applying a lump-sum toward your principal makes more sense than starting a brand-new loan—and how to compare both options.

5-min read Existing homeowners →

Underwriting

How Underwriters Look at Income

W-2, self-employed, bonus, overtime, and commission—what “stable and likely to continue” really means.

7-min read Behind the scenes →

Underwriting

Assets, Large Deposits & Paper Trails

Why your lender cares about where funds came from—and how to plan ahead so the paper trail is painless.

5-min read Before you move money →

Homeownership

Why Your Mortgage Payment Can Change

Escrows, taxes, insurance, and what to watch for in your annual escrow review.

4-min read After closing →

Home Equity

HELOCs & Home Equity Loans 101

The basics of borrowing against your equity for projects, debt consolidation, or investment.

6-min read Existing homeowners →

Not sure which guide fits your situation?
Skim 1–2 that match your goals, then send your questions or start a pre-approval. We’ll connect the dots between the guides, the calculators, and your real numbers.

Ask your questions first Start your pre-approval

Have a scenario you want to sanity-check before you dive too deep? Drop your question below and we’ll reply with next steps in plain English.

This page and the guides linked here are for general educational purposes only and do not constitute a commitment to lend or a full summary of all program guidelines. Eligibility, terms, and pricing depend on your complete application, credit profile, property, and current program availability. All loans subject to approval. Equal Housing Lender.