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Buy a House
Everything you need to go from renting to owning — compare mortgage rates, calculate your affordability, and find the right lender. Your step-by-step homebuyer guide.
Your action plan
01
Check your credit score
You need a 620+ score for most conventional loans. 740+ gets you the best rates. Check free at AnnualCreditReport.com.
02
Save for a down payment
Target 20% to avoid PMI. FHA loans allow as little as 3.5% down for qualifying buyers.
03
Get pre-approved
Compare at least 3 lenders. A 0.5% rate difference on a $400K loan saves ~$40,000 over 30 years.
04
Calculate affordability
Housing costs should not exceed 28% of gross monthly income. Total debt (back-end DTI) should stay below 43%.
💡 Key insight
Shop at least 3 lenders — studies show borrowers who get multiple quotes save an average of $1,500 over the life of the loan.
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Mortgage Calculator
Calculate your monthly payment
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DTI Calculator
Know your debt-to-income ratio
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Free · 90 seconds · No account needed