A seller credit toward a permanent rate buydown can deliver the biggest long-term savings. Start there, then compare cash at closing and repairs.

A qualified buyer and an eligible condo building are two separate questions—and both can affect the loan.

National headlines say buyers have leverage. The listings near your actual house may tell a different story.

A mortgage broker, bank and online lender are not really three equivalent categories. A lender makes the loan. A mortgage broker helps borrowers find loans from lenders. “Online” mainly describes how you interact with the company—a digital mortgage company may itself be a lender, broker or both. So instead of asking only, “Should I use a bank, broker or online lender?” I would ask: How many realistic mortgage options can this provider compare for me, and what does each option

If you qualify for both an FHA and a conventional mortgage, don't choose based on the label. Compare cash to close, total monthly payment, mortgage insurance and the cost over the period you expect to own the home. As a general rule, FHA financing deserves a closer look when a smaller down payment or weaker credit profile makes conventional financing expensive. Conventional financing often becomes more attractive as credit strength and down payment improve. FHA vs. convention

Updated October 2, 2026 The average 30-year fixed mortgage reached 7.28% on October 1, up from 7.03% one week earlier. The average 15-year fixed rate was 6.60%, according to Freddie Mac. So is it a bad time to buy? Not automatically. But at rates above 7%, I would want the purchase to work at today's payment without depending on a future refinance. What 7.28% means in dollars On a $400,000, 30-year mortgage, principal and interest at 7.28% is about $2,737 per month. At 6.50%,