# HomeAffordLab

> Free home affordability & mortgage calculators


## Pages

- [How to Lower Your Mortgage Payment: 5 Ways With Real Numbers](https://homeaffordlab.com/costs/how-to-lower-your-mortgage-payment/): Ways to lower your mortgage payment, with real savings for each: remove PMI, refinance, recast, lower property taxes and insurance, and drop FHA mortgage insurance.
- [Mortgage Preapproval vs. Prequalification: What's the Difference?](https://homeaffordlab.com/afford/mortgage-preapproval-vs-prequalification/): The difference between mortgage prequalification and preapproval, the documents you need, how it affects your credit, and mistakes that can sink an approval.
- [Mortgage Escrow Account Explained: Why Your Payment Changes](https://homeaffordlab.com/costs/mortgage-escrow-account/): How a mortgage escrow account works, what goes into it, federal rules on cushions and refunds, why escrow shortages raise your payment, and how to lower it.
- [Mortgage Points: Are Discount Points Worth It? Break-Even Explained](https://homeaffordlab.com/costs/mortgage-points/): How mortgage discount points work, what one point costs and saves, the break-even formula with a real example, and when paying points makes sense.
- [USDA Loan Requirements 2026: Income Limits, Fees and Eligibility](https://homeaffordlab.com/loans/usda-loan-requirements/): USDA loan requirements for 2026: no down payment, the 1% upfront and 0.35% annual fees, income and location limits, credit score guidance, and how USDA compares with FHA.
- [VA Loan Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Funding Fee and Payment](https://homeaffordlab.com/loans/va-loan-requirements/): VA loan requirements for 2026: who is eligible, the 2.15% to 3.3% funding fee and exemptions, credit and DTI rules, entitlement, and how VA compares with FHA and conventional loans.
- [Conventional Loan Requirements 2026: Credit, Down Payment, DTI and Limits](https://homeaffordlab.com/loans/conventional-loan-requirements/): 2026 conventional loan requirements: credit score, 3% to 5% down payment, DTI up to 50%, the $832,750 conforming limit, PMI rules, and how it compares with FHA.
- [What Credit Score Do You Need to Buy a House in 2026?](https://homeaffordlab.com/loans/credit-score-to-buy-a-house/): Minimum credit scores for FHA, conventional, VA and USDA loans, how your score changes your mortgage rate and PMI, and how to raise it before you apply.
- [How Much Down Payment Do You Need for a House in 2026?](https://homeaffordlab.com/afford/down-payment-on-a-house/): Minimum down payments by loan type, monthly payments from 3% to 20% down on a $400,000 home, total cash needed at closing, and whether 20% down is worth it.
- [Debt-to-Income Ratio for a Mortgage: How to Calculate It and 2026 Limits](https://homeaffordlab.com/afford/debt-to-income-ratio/): How to calculate your debt-to-income ratio, what counts as debt, DTI limits for conventional, FHA, VA and USDA loans, and how DTI changes what you can afford.
- [15-Year vs. 30-Year Mortgage: Payments and Interest Compared (2026)](https://homeaffordlab.com/costs/15-vs-30-year-mortgage/): Compare 15-year and 30-year mortgages at current rates: monthly payment, total interest, equity over time, and who should choose each.
- [How Much Is PMI? 2026 Costs by Credit Score and How to Remove It](https://homeaffordlab.com/costs/what-is-pmi/): PMI typically costs 0.46% to 1.50% of the loan per year. See the monthly cost by credit score, how long you pay it, and the fastest ways to remove it.
- [Privacy Policy](https://homeaffordlab.com/privacy-policy/): HomeAffordLab ("we," "us," or "our") operates this website (the "Site").
- [FHA Loan Calculator 2026: Payment With MIP, Limits and Requirements](https://homeaffordlab.com/loans/fha-loan-calculator/): Estimate your FHA payment with upfront and annual MIP, check the 2026 FHA loan limit, see the minimum down payment for your credit score, and compare FHA with a conventional loan.
- [Loan Types](https://homeaffordlab.com/loans/): FHA, conventional, VA, and USDA loans compared with real numbers: down payments, credit scores, and mortgage insurance.
- [Mortgage Payment Calculator With Taxes, Insurance & PMI](https://homeaffordlab.com/costs/mortgage-payment-calculator/): Estimate your full monthly mortgage payment, including property tax, homeowners insurance, PMI and FHA MIP, plus an amortization schedule.
- [Mortgage Costs](https://homeaffordlab.com/costs/): Your mortgage costs more than the loan payment.
- [How Much House Can I Afford?](https://homeaffordlab.com/afford/how-much-house-can-i-afford/): Find the home price your income can really support. Our free calculator includes taxes, insurance, PMI and FHA MIP, using today's mortgage rates.
- [Contact Us](https://homeaffordlab.com/contact/): Have a question about one of our calculators, spotted an error, or want to suggest a topic? We read every message and usually reply within 2 business days.
- [About HomeAffordLab](https://homeaffordlab.com/about/): Our mission: help first-time buyers know their real number before they talk to a lender.
- [Free Home Affordability Calculator](https://homeaffordlab.com/): Most mortgage calculators stop at principal and interest.
- [Terms of Service](https://homeaffordlab.com/terms/): These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of this website (the "Site"), operated by the HomeAffordLab team ("HomeAffordLab," "we," "us").
- [Legal Notice](https://homeaffordlab.com/legal-notice/): This page provides general information about the operator of this website. For any legal, privacy, or business inquiry, please use our Contact page.
- [Cookie Policy](https://homeaffordlab.com/cookie-policy/): Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. This policy explains which cookies HomeAffordLab uses and how you can control them.
- [Advertising Disclosure & Financial Disclaimer](https://homeaffordlab.com/disclaimer/): HomeAffordLab is a free resource supported by advertising.
- [Home Affordability Guides](https://homeaffordlab.com/afford/): How much home you can afford comes down to three numbers: your gross income, your monthly debt payments, and the full monthly cost of the home, including taxes and insurance.


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