Mortgage guides and free calculators for U.S. homebuyers
Clear, practical guides to home loans, refinancing and first-time buying, plus free calculators to run your own numbers.
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Refinance Break-Even Calculator: How Long Until Refinancing Pays Off?
A refinance break-even calculator answers the question that matters most before you refinance: how many months will it take for your lower…
Free mortgage calculators
Run your own numbers before you talk to a lender.
Mortgage Calculator
Your monthly payment with taxes, insurance and PMI.
How Much House Can I Afford
A realistic price range for your income and debts.
Rent vs Buy Calculator
Compare the true cost of renting and owning.
Mortgage Payoff Calculator
See how extra payments shorten your loan.
Debt-to-Income Calculator
Check your DTI against lender limits.
Mortgage Points Calculator
Find out when buying points actually pays off.
Latest guides
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Mortgage Recast vs Refinance: Which Is Better for Lowering Your Payment?
If you want a lower monthly mortgage payment, refinancing is usually the first option that comes…
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Assumable Mortgage: Pros, Cons and How It Works in 2026
With mortgage rates above 7% in October 2026, according to Freddie Mac, many buyers are looking…
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What Is an Escrow Account? How Mortgage Escrow Works
If you’re buying a home with a mortgage, there’s a good chance part of your monthly…
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Mortgage Rate Lock Explained: How It Works and When to Lock
Mortgage rates can change every day, sometimes several times a day. Between the moment you’re approved…
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Mortgage Points: What They Are and When They’re Worth It
When you get a mortgage offer, your lender may ask whether you want to “buy points”…
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Debt-to-Income Ratio for a Mortgage: Limits, Examples and How to Lower It
Your credit score gets most of the attention, but your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) can make or…
Topics
- Best Lenders (4)
- Calculators (4)
- Home Buying (13)
- Loan Types (7)
- Refinancing (5)
Hi, I’m José María
I started Finanzasclave to explain mortgages and home buying in plain English, with clear examples and free calculators you can use before talking to a lender.
Buying your first home?
Start with the basics: how much you need for a down payment, how pre-approval works and what closing costs to expect.