Mortgage education, made clear
Mortgage Guides for Homebuyers and Homeowners
Get straightforward answers about buying a home, mortgage rates, closing costs, loan programs, refinancing, and home equity. Written by Sean Mertens for California homebuyers and homeowners, with local guidance when location matters.
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Essential Mortgage Guides
Buy Before You Sell: Your Financing Options
Understand ways to purchase your next home without making the offer contingent on selling your current property first.
Read the guide Mortgage ratesMortgage Rate Locks Explained
Learn what a rate lock protects, how lock periods work, and what to consider when deciding whether to lock.
Read the guide HomeownersMortgage Recast: Lowering Your Payment
See how a lump-sum principal payment and recast may lower your payment while preserving your existing loan terms.
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Latest Mortgage Articles
Another Rate Cut
Understand why Federal Reserve rate cuts can influence—but do not directly determine—mortgage rates, and what falling rates may mean for borrowers.
Escrowed Taxes & Insurance
Understand how mortgage escrow accounts collect for property taxes and homeowners insurance, when they may be required, and common shortage or supplemental-bill issues.
Lock a Rate
Learn what a mortgage rate lock protects, how long locks typically last, and what borrowers should consider before choosing when to lock.
Bonds & Mortgage Rates
Understand why mortgage rates often track bond-market movements, especially mortgage-backed securities and Treasury yields, rather than moving directly with the federal funds rate.