Resources

A 2026 survey of 57 lending companies found car payments, not student loans, are now the top reason first-time buyers get denied a mortgage. Here's why, and what to do.

See today's average mortgage rates for August 6, 2026, including 30-year fixed, 15-year fixed, 5/1 ARM, and refinance rates, plus what's moving the market.

Rising insurance costs can sink a mortgage approval at the last minute. Here's why getting a quote before you offer protects your closing and your DTI.

Looking for the best cities to buy your first home in 2026? See where affordability, job markets, and quality of life actually add up and how the math compares to...

Institutional-investor home listings have more than doubled this year. Here's how to spot one, what to check before you buy, and how to negotiate.

Seeing a different mortgage rate on every site today? Here's why daily surveys, weekly averages, and marketplace quotes never quite match.

Learn how homeowners can use a home equity loan, HELOC, or cash-out refinance to consolidate debt — and how to avoid debt relief scams. Compare costs, risks, and which option...

Higher mortgage rates don't erase the case for buying. See the rent-vs-buy math, equity building, and payment stability that still make homeownership worth it.

Learn how to spot AI-edited real estate listing photos before you schedule a tour, plus what to do if you spot one before making an offer.

More sellers are delisting than negotiating right now. Here's why, what it means if you're buying, and how to use the leverage this market gives you.

Some mortgage lenders can use stock-based compensation, including restricted stock units (RSUs), to qualify you for a home loan, but the rules can be strict.

A bankruptcy doesn't permanently disqualify you from getting a mortgage, but it does begin a waiting period that varies by loan type and bankruptcy chapter.

Foreclosures are climbing in 2026, but the data looks nothing like 2008. Here's the key difference, plus what to do if you're falling behind on your mortgage.

Home equity loans and small business loans can provide cash for a new business. Know the pros and cons of both loans, including the risk to your home, before applying.

The Fed doesn't set mortgage rates, and mortgage rates don't set the Fed's rate. Here's what actually drives both, and what to expect from the July 29 meeting.

Townhomes now make up a record share of new construction. Compare cost, HOA fees, financing, and resale value to see which fits first-time buyers best.

Selling a home in retirement can trigger higher Medicare premiums through IRMAA. Here's how tapping your equity with a HELOC can help you avoid it.

The housing market hasn't been "normal" since before 2008. Here's what normal actually means, how we got here, and when experts think it could return.

Your loan estimate is a summary of the terms and costs associated with your loan. Learn how to read and understand it with confidence.

We launched Better Mortgage because the mortgage industry is broken. That's why we're making homebuying smarter, faster, and better from beginning to end.