Mortgage
The mortgage you choose shapes your finances for decades. 15-year vs 30-year isn't just about interest rates—it's about opportunity cost, flexibility, and what you're giving up either way.
- When an Interest-Only Mortgage Actually Makes Financial Sense Interest only mortgages for high earners aren't always traps. When liquidity and flexibility matter more than forced equity, the math changes.
- Is Stretching for 20% Down to Avoid a Jumbo Loan Worth It? Scraping together 20% down to dodge a jumbo loan sounds smart—until you factor in the hidden costs of getting there. Here's when it's worth it.
- Is an ARM Still Safe When Everyone Expects Rates to Stay High? Should you take an adjustable rate mortgage when rates are expected to stay elevated? The affordability today vs. adjustment risk tomorrow.
- Why a 15-Year Mortgage Might Trap You in Your First Job A 15-year mortgage saves on interest but costs career flexibility. Early-career buyers often lose more in opportunities than they save.
- Seller-Paid Rate Buydowns: Better Than a Price Cut? Seller rate buydowns lower early payments but raise your purchase price. When temporary relief beats permanent savings—and when it doesn't.
- Construction Loans: The Conversion Costs Nobody Warns You About Converting a construction loan to a permanent mortgage hides costly surprises—rate lock traps, requalification hurdles, and appraisal gaps that derail budgets.
- Biweekly Mortgage Payments: Genius Hack or Pointless Hassle? Are biweekly mortgage payments worth it? We break down the real math, hidden fees, and when this strategy actually helps versus wastes your time.
- Physician Mortgage Loans: Too Good to Be True? Doctor mortgage loans offer zero down and no PMI, but the hidden costs may outweigh the benefits. A decision framework for physicians weighing their options.
- Mortgage Broker or Direct Lender: Who Actually Gets You the Better Deal? Choosing between a mortgage broker and direct lender? Your credit profile, income type, and timeline determine which saves you thousands on closing costs.
- Why Some Veterans Shouldn't Use Their VA Loan Benefit VA loan vs conventional for veterans: when skipping your benefit saves money. Funding fees, credit scores, and the math that changes everything.
- The Jumbo Loan Trap That Costs Borrowers Thousands Should you accept a jumbo loan or split your mortgage to stay under conforming limits? A decision framework that could save you tens of thousands.
- When to Lock Your Mortgage Rate: The Costly Timing Mistake Mortgage rate lock timing can cost you $47,000+ over your loan. Learn when to lock early, when to wait, and how float-down options protect your decision.
- Paying Points to Lower Your Mortgage Rate: A Trap or a Deal? Should you pay mortgage points upfront vs lower rate over time? Analyze the true break-even math, opportunity costs, and when buying down your rate actually pays off.
- When Interest-Only Mortgages Actually Make Financial Sense Interest-only mortgages can build wealth for disciplined high earners—but only when specific conditions align. Here's the real math on when they work.
- What Nobody Tells You About Buying With 5% Down The hidden costs of buying a house with only 5 percent down—PMI traps, thin equity, and the flexibility you're trading away.
- Pay Cash for a Smaller Home or Finance Something Bigger? Buy smaller house outright vs mortgage larger? The real factors that determine which path fits your financial life and long-term wealth.
- Why an Adjustable Rate Mortgage Might Finally Make Sense Right Now Weighing an adjustable rate mortgage when rates are dropping? Here's the decision framework for ARMs in today's falling rate environment.
- Why High Earners Often Regret Choosing a 15-Year Mortgage High earners often regret 15-year mortgages—not for the math, but for the flexibility they sacrificed. Here's how to decide between 15 vs 30 year terms.
- ARM Loans When You're Planning to Move: How to Calculate the Real Risk Should you get an adjustable rate mortgage when planning to move? Calculate the real risk vs. savings before your fixed-rate period ends.
- Buying a House on One Income: When It's Smarter Than Using Both Should you buy a house on one income or use both? The surprising math behind when single-income mortgages protect your family better.
- FHA vs Conventional Loans: The Decision That Could Cost First-Time Buyers Thousands FHA vs conventional for first-time buyers: the hidden costs, PMI traps, and break-even math that reveal which loan actually saves you money long-term.
- Interest-Only Mortgages for Investment Properties: Calculated Risk or Trap? Should you use an interest-only mortgage for your investment property? See when this strategy pays off and when it quietly destroys your returns.
- Is a mortgage rate buydown a good idea? A mortgage rate buydown can save thousands—or waste money upfront. Here's how to calculate whether buying down your rate actually pays off.
- Is buying mortgage points a good idea? Buying mortgage points can save thousands—or waste money upfront. Learn when paying for a lower rate makes sense and when it's a costly trap.
- Mortgage Prepayment vs Maxing Your 401k: The Math Nobody Shows You Should you prepay your mortgage or max 401k contributions? See the real math behind this decision and when each option wins.
- New Construction vs Resale Homes: The Costs Nobody Compares Deciding whether to buy new construction vs existing home resale? Discover the hidden costs and trade-offs most buyers overlook.
- Should You Buy a Rental Property or Pay Off Your Mortgage First? Buy rental property vs pay off mortgage first? The math isn't what most people assume. Here's the decision framework that actually works.
- The Hidden Risks of Buying Before You Sell Your Current Home The hidden costs of bridge loans, double mortgage payments, and contingency offers when you buy a house before selling your current home.
- The real cost of choosing a 30-year mortgage over a 15-year Comparing a 15 year vs 30 year mortgage? See the true cost difference, when each makes sense, and the decision framework smart buyers use.
- The real cost of private mortgage insurance PMI costs far more than monthly payments—here's what it really takes from your finances and when avoiding it makes sense for your situation.
- This mistake with adjustable rate mortgages could cost you thousands The ARM mistake most borrowers make isn't choosing one—it's ignoring reset math until it's too late. Calculate your real adjustable rate mortgage risk.
- This mistake with jumbo mortgages could cost you thousands Jumbo mortgage mistakes cost borrowers thousands in hidden fees and rate penalties. Learn critical errors to avoid before you sign.
- What nobody tells you about private mortgage insurance PMI costs homebuyers thousands—but avoiding it isn't always smart. Here's how to decide if paying PMI makes financial sense for you.
- What nobody tells you about debt-to-income ratios for mortgages Should you refinance student loans before applying for a mortgage? The DTI math is more complicated than lenders explain.
- When Paying for a Rate Lock Extension Actually Saves You Money Rate lock extension fees feel like a trap—until you calculate the alternative. Here's exactly when paying makes sense and when to walk away.
- Why a jumbo loan might cost you more than you think Jumbo loan mortgages carry hidden costs beyond higher rates. Calculate the true premium before committing to financing above conforming limits.
- Why an FHA loan might cost you more than you think FHA loans look beginner-friendly, but lifetime MIP costs often exceed conventional options. Here's the real math on when FHA makes sense.
- Why waiting to lock your mortgage rate might cost you more than you think Should you lock your mortgage rate now or wait? The hidden costs of hesitation could cost thousands. Here's how to make this rate lock mortgage decision.
- The Hidden Cost of Choosing a 15-Year vs 30-Year Mortgage Beyond interest savings: the real trade-offs between 15 and 30-year mortgages that determine whether you build wealth or just feel like it.