Every mortgage guide, in one place.
Ten guides, each written for one kind of buyer or homeowner. No rate bait, no jargon walls. Pick the one that sounds like your situation, or take the quick match below and let our team point you to the right one.
Browse all ten guides
Home Buyer Guide
The whole path from budget to keys, plus how to tell which loan type fits your money and your timeline.
Open the guide →First-Time Buyer Guide
Down payment help, low-down loan options, and the credit and income basics for a first purchase.
Open the guide →VA Loan Guide
Zero-down financing for those who qualify, how entitlement works, and what the funding fee covers.
Open the guide →Self-Employed Mortgage Guide
Bank-statement, 1099-only, and asset-based programs for when write-offs shrink your taxable income.
Open the guide →Jumbo Loan Guide
When a loan runs above the conforming limit, and the credit and reserves jumbo underwriting expects.
Open the guide →Investor / DSCR Loan Guide
Qualify a rental on the property's own cash flow instead of your personal tax returns.
Open the guide →Physician Loan Guide
Low-down financing that treats a signed employment contract as income and works around student debt.
Open the guide →Buy Before You Sell Guide
Bridge financing that lets you buy the next home before your current one closes.
Open the guide →Divorce & Mortgage Guide
Buying out a co-owner, refinancing off a shared note, and qualifying on a single income.
Open the guide →Relocation Mortgage Guide
Financing a move across state lines, timing a new start date, and buying before you land.
Open the guide →Frequently asked questions
Which type of home loan is right for me?
It comes down to your credit, your down payment, and your goal. FHA fits lower credit or higher debt (3.5% down at 580). Conventional rewards stronger credit and lets you drop mortgage insurance at 20% equity (3% down). VA and USDA offer 0% down for eligible buyers. Jumbo covers loans above the $832,750 conforming limit. Self-employed and investor buyers have bank-statement and DSCR options.
What documents do you need to get a mortgage?
For most loans: recent pay stubs, two years of W-2s or tax returns, two months of bank statements, and a photo ID. Self-employed borrowers can substitute 12 to 24 months of bank statements for tax returns. Investors provide the property's rent or lease. A pre-approval needs your income, assets, and a credit check, and takes about 24 to 48 hours.
How long does it take to buy a house?
Pre-approval is usually 24 to 48 hours once your documents are in. After you're under contract, a typical purchase closes in 30 to 45 days, covering the appraisal, underwriting, and title work. The house-hunting stretch in the middle varies the most. Having financing lined up first is what lets you move quickly when the right home appears.
Do you have to be a first-time buyer to get down payment help?
No. Many down payment assistance programs are open to repeat buyers. Under HUD's definition, a “first-time buyer” simply hasn't owned a primary residence in the past three years, so plenty of past owners still qualify. Availability, income limits, and amounts vary by state and program, which is what our team confirms for your area.
Ready when you are.
Get pre-approved in 24 to 48 hours for a straightforward file, or talk to our team first to figure out which path fits.