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Most mortgage lenders use old FICO scores (2, 4, and 5), not the score you see on apps like Credit Karma—which means your “real” score might be very different.

The interest rate tells you what you’ll pay each month. The APR tells you what you’ll really pay overall. Smart borrowers check both before signing anything.

Down Payment Assistance Programs help homebuyers cover the upfront cash they need to buy a home—often with free money or low-interest loans.

Your score affects the type of mortgage you can get and how much it’ll cost. Above 760 get top rates, 620–759 qualifies but pay more, 580–619 are best off with FHA, and under 580, fix your credit first.

FHA loans help regular people buy homes—even with low credit scores or small savings. You just need to meet a few simple rules, and most of them are easier than you might think.

If you’ve served in the military, a VA loan could be your ticket to buying a home with no down payment and big savings—make sure you don’t miss it.

Buying a home? You’ll meet a bunch of people along the way. Here’s who they are, what they do, and why they matter.

If you're not using a paid service, you can still get your credit report and score—for free. Here's how, no strings attached

Getting a mortgage pre-approval letter before house hunting saves time, strengthens your offers, and helps you avoid heartache. It tells sellers you’re serious and ready to buy.

A bank statement loan lets you, as a self-employed person, use bank statements instead of pay stubs or tax forms to qualify, trading stricter documentation for higher rates and down payments.

You’ve got to choose your lender wisely—once they pull your credit and lock you into their process, you’ve lost flexibility and your score takes a (sometimes lasting) hit. 

If you’re short on savings or have less-than-perfect credit, FHA loans can help you buy a home—just know how they compare to regular loans and what lenders may not tell you.