https://totalmonthly.com/Plain-language guides to mortgages and home buying.en-ushttps://totalmonthly.com/blog/15-year-vs-30-year-mortgage/https://totalmonthly.com/blog/15-year-vs-30-year-mortgage/Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTA 15-year loan costs far less in interest but has a much higher payment. Compare both on a $400,000 loan and learn the middle path of a 30-year loan with extra payments.https://totalmonthly.com/blog/closing-costs-explained/https://totalmonthly.com/blog/closing-costs-explained/Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTClosing costs commonly run 2% to 5% of the price. See what they include, how the Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure help you compare, and ways to reduce them.https://totalmonthly.com/blog/escrow-account-explained/https://totalmonthly.com/blog/escrow-account-explained/Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTEscrow lets your lender collect property tax and insurance with each payment. Learn how it works, why your payment can change, and when you can pay these bills yourself.https://totalmonthly.com/blog/fha-vs-conventional-loan/https://totalmonthly.com/blog/fha-vs-conventional-loan/Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTCompare down payments, credit requirements and mortgage insurance on FHA and conventional loans, and learn when each one usually wins.https://totalmonthly.com/blog/first-time-homebuyer-costs-checklist/https://totalmonthly.com/blog/first-time-homebuyer-costs-checklist/Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTA timeline of the costs of buying a home, from earnest money and inspections to closing, moving and ongoing maintenance, so your budget covers more than the price.https://totalmonthly.com/blog/fixed-vs-adjustable-rate-mortgage/https://totalmonthly.com/blog/fixed-vs-adjustable-rate-mortgage/Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTAn ARM starts with a lower rate that can rise later. See how rate caps work with a worked example, and when a fixed rate or an ARM fits your plans.https://totalmonthly.com/blog/how-mortgage-interest-is-calculated/https://totalmonthly.com/blog/how-mortgage-interest-is-calculated/Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTSee how a fixed-rate payment splits into interest and principal each month, with a $400,000 example, and why extra payments early in the loan save so much.https://totalmonthly.com/blog/how-much-house-can-i-afford/https://totalmonthly.com/blog/how-much-house-can-i-afford/Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTStart from income and debts, not listing prices. Learn the 28/36 guideline, what counts in the payment, and how down payment, taxes and reserves change the answer.https://totalmonthly.com/blog/how-to-read-a-loan-estimate/https://totalmonthly.com/blog/how-to-read-a-loan-estimate/Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTThe Loan Estimate is a three-page standardized form that lets you compare lenders. Learn what each section means and what to check before you choose.https://totalmonthly.com/blog/mortgage-points-worth-it/https://totalmonthly.com/blog/mortgage-points-worth-it/Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTDiscount points trade cash now for a lower rate. Learn how to calculate the break-even point with a worked example, and when paying points does and does not make sense.https://totalmonthly.com/blog/pmi-explained/https://totalmonthly.com/blog/pmi-explained/Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTPrivate mortgage insurance applies when you put less than 20% down on a conventional loan. See a worked example, the 80% and 78% rules, and how FHA insurance differs.https://totalmonthly.com/blog/property-taxes-when-you-buy-a-home/https://totalmonthly.com/blog/property-taxes-when-you-buy-a-home/Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTProperty tax varies enormously by state and county, and your bill can differ from the seller's. Learn how it is calculated, how to estimate it, and how to appeal.https://totalmonthly.com/blog/rent-vs-buy-how-to-decide/https://totalmonthly.com/blog/rent-vs-buy-how-to-decide/Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTBuying beats renting only in some situations. Learn the costs on each side, why time horizon matters most, and how to test your own assumptions.https://totalmonthly.com/blog/should-you-refinance/https://totalmonthly.com/blog/should-you-refinance/Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTRefinancing saves money only if you stay long enough to recover the closing costs. Work through a $300,000 example, the term-reset trap, and a checklist.https://totalmonthly.com/blog/va-loan-funding-fee/https://totalmonthly.com/blog/va-loan-funding-fee/Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTThe VA funding fee replaces monthly mortgage insurance. See the rate chart, a $400,000 example at three down payments, who is exempt, and whether to finance it.