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Mortgages
Compare mortgage rates locally, evaluate lenders, and utilize our calculators to determine affordable home prices. Access expert guidance and updates.
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Mortgage basics
![A house](https://www.bankrate.com/2024/02/12100948/Homes_How_To_Get_The_Best_Mortgage_Rate.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=16:9&width=320)
How to get the best mortgage rate
Mortgages
With interest rates rising, shopping around is more important than ever.
![Family moving into home](https://www.bankrate.com/2019/07/03123917/First-time-homebuyer-guide.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=16:9&width=320)
First-time homebuyer guide
Mortgages
Being a novice often feels like a nuisance. However, there are actually perks to being a first-timer.
![](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/08/03181635/Homes_5_types_of_mortgage_loans_for_homebuyers.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=16:9&width=320)
5 types of mortgage loans for homebuyers
Mortgages
A comprehensive list to help you find the right financing tool for your dream home.
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![A Colonial-style single-family home](https://www.bankrate.com/2021/04/29124653/How_to_shop_for_mortgage_without_hurting_credit.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
A drop is inevitable, but you can minimize it.
![A family hangs out in their living room](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/09/21102938/When_is_my_first_mortgage_payment_due.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
It depends on the home closing date. Here’s how to make sure you don’t miss it.
![Country home in the fall](https://www.bankrate.com/2017/10/01151025/bridge-loans-ease-the-burden-of-one-loan-to-another-at-cost.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Bridge loans can help borrowers move from one home to the next, but do have potential downsides.
![A father and sons](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/09/28101021/What_is_a_gift_letter_for_mortgage.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Many times, homebuyers turn to others to get enough cash upfront for a mortgage.
![Two people sitting together](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/11/26085549/Homes_First-time-homebuyer-grants.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
There’s one key fact that separates first-time homebuyer grants from other forms of help.
![Shaking hands](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/03/10133004/Banking_How-lenders-are-trying-to-get-you-to-take-out-a-mortgage.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
They’re hoping promos will make you ignore the runup in interest rates.
![Illustrated design featuring a front porch entryway](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/05/18140634/Homes_What-is-a-good-debt-to-income-ratio-for-a-mortgage_.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
It varies, but generally, the lower the better. Here’s why.
![Two people reviewing documents](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/04/20145957/Homes-Documents-for-mortgage-preapproval.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Here’s a checklist of what you need to get a mortgage preapproval letter.
![A Colonial-style single-family home](https://www.bankrate.com/2021/04/29124653/How_to_shop_for_mortgage_without_hurting_credit.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
A drop is inevitable, but you can minimize it.
![Shaking hands](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/03/10133004/Banking_How-lenders-are-trying-to-get-you-to-take-out-a-mortgage.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
They’re hoping promos will make you ignore the runup in interest rates.
![A house on a stack of money](https://www.bankrate.com/2024/01/31145750/Homes-1-31analysis.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Mortgage rates retreated this week as the Federal Reserve opted not to cut rates.
![Mortgage refinance options for bad credit](https://www.bankrate.com/2021/05/06125240/GettyImages-639497394.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Borrowers with poor credit can still nail down home loan refinancing. Here’s how.
![](https://www.bankrate.com/2021/04/05160656/How-to-choose-the-right-mortgage-modification-strategy.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
If you can’t pay your mortgage, you may be able to have it modified. Here’s what to look for.
![Illustrated collage featuring a house on a hill made of money](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/08/08115052/Homes_How-to-build-equity-in-your-home.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
It’s a smart financial move. Here’s how to do it.
![](https://www.bankrate.com/2024/01/18084621/Homes_Best-FHA-mortgage-lenders-of-January-2024.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
When it comes to these easier-to-qualify-for loans, these lenders are tops.
![Agent talking with a couple in front of a laptop](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/10/06140916/Homes-How-to-get-rid-of-private-mortgage-insurance.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Here’s how PMI removal works.
![](https://www.bankrate.com/2024/01/18084621/Homes_Best-FHA-mortgage-lenders-of-January-2024.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
When it comes to these easier-to-qualify-for loans, these lenders are tops.
![](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/12/19115614/Mortgages-best-203k-rehab-mortgage-lenders.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Here is Bankrate’s guide to the best 203(k) rehab mortgage lenders.
![](https://www.bankrate.com/2024/01/18084138/Homes_Best-low-credit-score-mortgage-lenders-of-January-2024_.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Here are some of the best bad credit mortgage lenders in 2025.
![](https://www.bankrate.com/2024/01/19120653/Mortgages-best-refinance-mortgage-lenders.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Here are some of the best mortgage refinance lenders in 2025.
![Illustrated image featuring a house](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/12/29172148/Homes_Best-mortgage-lenders-no-origination-fee-of-January-2024.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Bankrate’s guide to finding the best reverse mortgage lender for you
![](https://www.bankrate.com/2024/01/18083208/Homes_Best-mortgage-lenders-in-Online-for-2024.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
OK with doing your loan digitally? These mortgage companies are the tops.
![](https://www.bankrate.com/2024/01/19115307/Homes_Best-VA-mortgage-lenders-of-January-2024-1.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
A current or veteran military person? Here are the top VA lenders for you.
![](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2024/12/26102126/Homes-Best-mortgage-lenders-in-December-2024.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Here are the best mortgage lenders for February 2025.
![](https://www.bankrate.com/2021/04/05160656/How-to-choose-the-right-mortgage-modification-strategy.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
If you can’t pay your mortgage, you may be able to have it modified. Here’s what to look for.
![A young couple dancing together in their kitchen](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/08/25150408/shared-appreciation.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
A shared appreciation mortgage is a unique home financing arrangement.
![Mother holding a baby while looking at documents](https://www.bankrate.com/2024/02/29123452/notice-of-default.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
A notice of default is the first legal step in foreclosure. If left unaddressed, you could lose your home.
![Image of a white house surrounded by greenery](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/09/18170549/Homes-Fannie-Mae-vs-Freddie-Mac-Whats-the-difference.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
And what do their differences mean for you, the mortgage borrower?
![Wooden house in neighborhood](https://www.bankrate.com/2017/08/02142213/the-difference-between-your-mortgage-rate-and-the-annual-percentage-rate-or-apr.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
It’s like a mortgage, only it makes foreclosure a lot easier. Homebuyer beware.
![An aerial of homes in a neighborhood](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/07/14112022/What_is_a_foreclosure.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
After several missed payments, your lender can start the foreclosure process.
![A forest fire in California](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2025/01/13152945/What_happens_to_my_mortgage_in_a_natural_disaster.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
If you’re a homeowner impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires, contact your mortgage servicer as soon as possible.
![Suburban house](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/11/29094505/Conforming-loan-limits-2023-1.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
For much of the U.S., the divide between conforming loans and jumbo mortgages will be $766,550.