Guides
Straight answers first, then the detail. Every fact links to its source, such as HUD, the CFPB or VA.
Reverse Mortgages
- Can you buy a home with a reverse mortgage?How HUD's HECM for Purchase works: who can use it, how much you put in, which homes are eligible and the rule to move in within 60 days.
- What does a reverse mortgage cost?HECM reverse mortgage costs explained: FHA mortgage insurance, the origination fee cap, servicing fees, closing costs and interest.
- What happens at HUD reverse mortgage counseling?Why HUD counseling is required before a HECM, how to find a HUD-approved counselor, what it costs and how long your certificate lasts.
- How much can you get from a reverse mortgage?What sets the amount you can borrow with a HECM reverse mortgage: age, home value, the 2026 HUD limit, the expected rate and the first-year limit.
- What happens to a reverse mortgage when the borrower dies?What heirs and surviving spouses need to know when a reverse mortgage borrower dies: deadlines, options, and why you never owe more than the home is worth.
Home Loans
- What are the requirements for an FHA loan?FHA loan basics from HUD: credit score and down payment rules, mortgage insurance, living in the home, and the 2026 loan limits.
- Buying your first home: what to expect, step by stepA first-time buyer's guide to the mortgage process: the four steps, the Loan Estimate, rate locks, the Closing Disclosure and low down payment options.
- What is a non-QM loan, and who is it for?Non-QM mortgages explained: how they differ from a Qualified Mortgage, and how bank statement and profit and loss loans work for the self-employed.
- How do VA home loans work?VA-backed home loans explained: who is eligible, no down payment in most cases, no PMI, the funding fee and the Certificate of Eligibility.
Home Equity
- What is a HELOC, and how does it work?A home equity line of credit explained: the draw period, the repayment period, variable rates, fees and the risks to watch for.
- What is a home equity loan?A home equity loan explained: a lump sum, usually at a fixed rate with a fixed payment, how it differs from a HELOC, and the risks.
- Can you cancel a home equity loan or HELOC after you sign?The three-day right to cancel (rescission) for refinances, home equity loans and HELOCs: who has it, how long it lasts and how to use it.
Compare Your Options
- HELOC or cash-out refinance: which way to tap your equity?A HELOC and a cash-out refinance compared: how each works, what changes about your mortgage, costs and limits.
- Reverse mortgage or HELOC: which fits you?How a reverse mortgage and a HELOC differ on monthly payments, cost, qualifying, and what happens to your balance over time.
- Reverse mortgage or home equity loan: what's the difference?A reverse mortgage and a home equity loan compared on payments, how you get the money, cost and what you owe over time.