Short, citable answers to common U.S. mortgage planning questions. Each pack links the official source, the date we verified it, and a calculator you can run yourself.
These are planning aids, not financial advice. Always confirm with the official source and a licensed lender before acting.
Lenders typically cap your front-end ratio (housing payment / income) near 28% and back-end ratio (total debt / income) near 36–43%. Use the Affordability Calculator with your income, debts, and down payment to see a defensible price range.
Source: CFPB — Ability-to-Repay / Qualified Mortgage · Verified 2026-08-14
Affordability Calculator →Under the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998, lenders must auto-cancel PMI at 78% LTV via normal payments, and you can request cancellation at 80% LTV. The Mortgage Calculator shows when you cross these thresholds.
Source: Homeowners Protection Act of 1998 · Verified 2026-08-14
Mortgage Calculator →Refinancing pays off when the new rate drops enough to beat closing costs within your planned stay. The Refinance Calculator estimates your break-even month and lifetime savings.
Source: CFPB — Refinance · Verified 2026-08-14
Refinance Calculator →APR folds in fees and points on top of the note rate, so it runs higher than the headline rate. The APR Calculator converts fees into an effective annual cost you can compare across lenders.
Source: CFPB — Annual Percentage Rate (APR) · Verified 2026-08-14
APR Calculator →A focused set of free calculators and guides across related topics — no account required.
Disclaimer:
All calculations are approximate for planning purposes only. This tool does not provide official financial, legal, or tax advice. All financial decisions should be verified with a qualified mortgage lender or financial advisor.