VA Loan Entitlement Guide: Full, Partial and Restored
Full entitlement removes the VA loan limit, while partial entitlement from an existing VA loan caps the no-down-payment amount by…
MARKET RATE DESK
Payment Snapshot
Enter a home price from $1 to $100 million, a down payment from 0–100%, and an interest rate from 0–30%.
Estimated Total Monthly Payment
Principal & Interest$1,593/moEst. Property Tax & Insurance$300/moLoan Amount$252,000
Full Calculator →Snapshot uses annual property tax of 1% of home price and $800/year for homeowners insurance. HOA fees and mortgage insurance are not included; personalize those costs in the full calculator.
Compare Current Mortgage Rates
Compare current APRs, points, fees, and estimated monthly payments from participating lenders below.
FHA vs Conventional in 2026: Cost Comparison
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Underwriting & Qualification
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Loan Estimate Comparison Guide: Page by Page
The Loan Estimate arrives in a fixed format so offers can be compared line by line. Check that the loan amount, term, product and…
Closing Disclosure Checklist: Final Review Steps
The Closing Disclosure must reach you at least three business days before consummation. Compare it against your most recent Loan…
Refinance, Home Equity & HELOC Desk
Best Home Advice 2026 Mortgage & Refinance Options
Choose the program that matches your equity, credit and timeline, then price it against at least two alternatives. The 2026 limits…
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Refinance Breakeven Guide: Months to Recover Costs
Divide total closing costs by the monthly payment reduction to find the breakeven month. If you expect to move or refinance again…
Rates, APR & Closing Costs Desk
Escrow and Impound Account Guide: Reserves and Analysis
An escrow account collects taxes and insurance monthly and pays them when due, funded at closing with a reserve deposit sized by…
Regional Real Estate & Surrounding Communities
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Monthly Mortgage Payment Calculator
Calculate your total monthly PITI payment including principal, interest, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and PMI.
Launch Tool →Home Equity & HELOC Calculator
Estimate your available borrowing power and combined loan-to-value (CLTV) ratio for a home equity loan or HELOC.
Launch Tool →Mortgage Refinance Savings Calculator
Compare your current mortgage against today's rates to estimate monthly payment savings and lifetime interest reduction.
Launch Tool →Closing Cost Estimator
Itemize estimated lender origination fees, title insurance, appraisal charges, and prepaid tax and insurance escrow reserves.
Launch Tool →Mortgage Amortization Schedule Calculator
View your year-by-year principal and interest payoff breakdown and see how extra monthly payments shorten your loan term.
Launch Tool →ARM vs. Fixed-Rate Mortgage Calculator
Compare initial adjustable-rate payments and future rate caps against the stability of a 30-year fixed loan.
Launch Tool →1. Compare Live Rates & APRs
Review current interest rates, APRs, upfront points, and estimated monthly payments from participating lenders in our live rate table.
2. Estimate Your Full Monthly Payment
Use our free PITI, closing cost, and home equity calculators to model property taxes, homeowners insurance, and down payment scenarios.
3. Choose the Right Loan Program
Compare Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, and state down payment assistance requirements before locking your rate with a lender.
Loan Program Comparison: 2026 Benchmarks
Best Home Advice Mortgage Planning — Choose a mortgage by comparing eligibility, upfront cash and total monthly costs, not the advertised rate alone. Conventional, FHA, VA and USDA serve different borrowers. Confirm county limits, taxes, insurance and lender requirements before comparing personalized Loan Estimates for your household.
Historical 2025 one-unit comparison: conforming $806,500; FHA floor $524,225. County and unit-count limits can differ.
| Loan program | Down payment / equity | 2026 one-unit baseline | Costs and page-specific comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | 3%–5% subject to eligibility | $832,750 | PMI generally below 20% down |
| FHA | 3.5% at 580+; 10% at 500–579 | $541,287 floor | 1.75% upfront MIP; 0.55% annual for >95% LTV, base loan ≤$726,200, term >15 years |
| VA | 0% for eligible borrowers | No VA limit with full entitlement | No monthly PMI; funding fee unless exempt |
| USDA | 0% for eligible borrowers | Income, address and repayment eligibility | Guarantee and annual fees; confirm current schedule |
| Jumbo | Lender-specific cash and reserves | Above applicable conforming limit | Lender-specific pricing and insurance |
| Home Equity / Refinance | Equity and underwriting dependent | Property and lender dependent | Compare closing costs, term and break-even |
Sources: FHFA limits; HUD FHA limits.
Editorial Methodology & Primary Sources
Verification date: Not recorded; check the primary source and lender timestamp before relying on an estimate.
Rate comparisons use participating lender feeds, not a whole-market survey or guaranteed offers. Freddie Mac PMMS is a market benchmark, not a personalized quote. Calculator models rely on published regulatory formulas and disclosed assumptions rather than fabricated first-person loan testing.
Monthly principal and interest use the amortization formula P × r / (1 − (1 + r)−n), where r is the monthly note rate and n is the number of payments; at zero interest use P / n. PITI adds monthly property taxes and homeowners insurance; PMI is separate. APR includes applicable finance charges under Regulation Z and is not the note rate used for payments. Compare lender Loan Estimates for actual APR and fees.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) — Loan Estimates, APR and borrower disclosures; Regulation Z.
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD / FHA) — FHA program guidance.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) — VA loan eligibility and benefits.
- Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) — published rate benchmarks.
- U.S. Census state tax collections — state property tax benchmarks; confirm parcel-specific assessments and exemptions with the state revenue department and local assessor.
The payment snapshot uses illustrative annual taxes of 1% of home price, $1,200 insurance and 0.5% PMI below 20% down, not verified local quotes. Other calculators disclose their inputs and assumptions. Published guidance and lender feeds may change independently; confirm current program rules, taxes and offers before a decision.