# HomeMortgageOnline

> Independent educational site for U.S. mortgage rates, calculators, and plain-English guides. HomeMortgageOnline does not lend, lock rates, or recommend lenders. Figures on the site are illustrative, not a quote or a Loan Estimate.

Public page URLs omit the .html file suffix. Directory indexes end with a slash.

## Start here

- [See the national mortgage rate before you compare offers](https://homemortgageonline.com/): Weekly U.S. mortgage-rate snapshot for shoppers and researchers, with free payment, affordability, and closing-cost tools. Sources and dates sit next to every print.
- [About HomeMortgageOnline - a rate desk before you call a lender](https://homemortgageonline.com/about): HomeMortgageOnline publishes a weekly U.S. rate snapshot, free calculators, and plain-language mortgage guides.
- [Privacy policy](https://homemortgageonline.com/privacy-policy): What HomeMortgageOnline collects, the tools the site uses, and how to ask about your information.
- [Terms](https://homemortgageonline.com/terms): Terms for using HomeMortgageOnline. The content is general information, with no warranty and a limit on liability.
- [Disclaimer](https://homemortgageonline.com/disclaimer): NMLS/lender disclaimer, no rate-lock or guarantee, and our no-financial-advice statement.

## Rates

- [Today's mortgage rates - 30-year, 15-year, FHA, VA](https://homemortgageonline.com/current-mortgage-rates): Today's national average mortgage rates for 30-year, 15-year, FHA, VA, jumbo, and ARM loans, plus how mortgage rates are set and what to compare.
- [Mortgage rates by state](https://homemortgageonline.com/state-mortgage-rates): All 50 states in one list. The old state pages used the same national survey print. Compare today's rates and a written Loan Estimate.

## Calculators

- [Mortgage calculator - estimate your monthly payment](https://homemortgageonline.com/mortgage-calculator): Free mortgage calculator covering principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and HOA. Estimate your full monthly housing cost (PITIA) before you shop.
- [Affordability calculator - how much house can I afford?](https://homemortgageonline.com/affordability-calculator): Estimate a responsible home-price range from income, debts, down payment, rate, taxes, insurance, and target debt-to-income ratio.
- [Closing cost calculator - estimate cash to close](https://homemortgageonline.com/closing-cost-calculator): Estimate mortgage closing costs, down payment, credits, and cash to close before comparing Loan Estimates.
- [PMI calculator - estimate private mortgage insurance](https://homemortgageonline.com/pmi-calculator): Estimate monthly private mortgage insurance on a conventional loan and see how down payment changes loan-to-value.
- [Bankrate vs NerdWallet mortgage calculator](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/bankrate-vs-nerdwallet-mortgage-calculator): Compare Bankrate and NerdWallet mortgage calculators. Examples use Freddie Mac PMMS 7.40% as of October 15, 2026. Not a lender quote.
- [Bankrate, NerdWallet, and Mortgage Calculator alternatives (2026)](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/mortgage-calculator-alternatives): Compare Bankrate, NerdWallet, and MortgageCalculator.org as calculators. Use this site's Sep. 17, 2026 PMMS stamp of 6.95%. Not a lender quote.

## For assistants

- [Mortgage tools for assistants](https://homemortgageonline.com/mcp/): A public, read-only connection to this site's payment, affordability, refinance, PMI, and closing-cost calculators, tax worksheets, and dated national rate snapshot.

## Guides

- [Mortgage loan types compared - conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo](https://homemortgageonline.com/loan-types): Compare conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo, and refinance mortgage options, including down payment, mortgage insurance, and best-fit borrower profiles.
- [FHA loan guide 2026 - requirements, limits, pros and cons](https://homemortgageonline.com/fha-loan-guide): Learn FHA loan requirements, down payment, county loan limits, mortgage insurance, and how FHA compares with conventional loans.
- [VA loan guide 2026 - eligibility, funding fee, and quotes](https://homemortgageonline.com/va-loan-guide): Learn VA loan eligibility, Certificate of Eligibility, VA funding fee, no-PMI benefits, and how to compare VA mortgage quotes.
- [USDA loan eligibility - property and income rules](https://homemortgageonline.com/usda-loan-eligibility): Check USDA loan eligibility basics for property location, household income, primary residence, and how USDA compares with FHA and conventional.
- [First-time homebuyer guide 2026 - how to get a mortgage](https://homemortgageonline.com/first-time-homebuyer-guide): A first-time homebuyer guide covering credit, down payment, pre-approval, and closing costs - with the four lender-criteria most buyers underestimate.
- [Refinance vs. purchase - should I refinance my mortgage?](https://homemortgageonline.com/refinance-vs-purchase): Refinance vs. new purchase mortgage compared, with a break-even formula and when refinancing usually does or does not pay off.

## Tax literacy

- [Housing tax literacy worksheets](https://homemortgageonline.com/tax/): Educational, in-browser worksheets for mortgage interest, points, PMI treatment, SALT-cap awareness, and take-home versus PITI. Not tax advice and not a filing form.
- [Mortgage-interest deduction estimator](https://homemortgageonline.com/tax/mortgage-interest): Educational comparison of qualified residence interest and a user-entered standard-deduction assumption. Not Schedule A and not tax advice.
- [Mortgage points amortization helper](https://homemortgageonline.com/tax/points): Educational straight-line worksheet for prepaid mortgage points. Not a substitute for IRS Topic 504 or Publication 936.
- [PMI tax treatment explainer](https://homemortgageonline.com/tax/pmi-treatment): Educational explainer treating private mortgage insurance as a housing cost unless you opt into a cited deductibility assumption.
- [Property tax and SALT cap awareness](https://homemortgageonline.com/tax/salt-cap): Educational worksheet for property tax as a cash cost and SALT-cap awareness. No invented official cap.
- [Take-home versus PITI](https://homemortgageonline.com/tax/take-home-piti): Educational cash-flow worksheet comparing monthly PITI with take-home pay. Not a lender qualification tool.

## Blog

- [Weekly market note](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/): Weekly mortgage rate market notes with sources from major market and housing publications.
- [How 3% down mortgages work](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/3-percent-down-mortgages-how-low-down-payment-loans-work): How 3% down conventional mortgages work, what cash you still need, and how to test the full payment.
- [Which mortgage fits your budget](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/6-ways-to-decide-which-mortgage-fits-your-budget): Six budget checks for comparing mortgages by payment, cash left after closing, loan term, and program rules.
- [ARM vs fixed-rate mortgages](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/adjustable-rate-vs-fixed-rate-mortgages): How a fixed-rate mortgage differs from an ARM, including CFPB index, margin, and cap rules. Educational product comparison, not a quote.
- [Closing Costs: Who Pays What When You Buy](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/closing-costs-who-pays-what-when-you-buy): Who pays mortgage closing costs, which fees show up, and how seller credits change the cash you bring.
- [Compare mortgage offers: points and APR](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/compare-mortgage-offers-points-apr): How discount points and APR differ from the interest rate, with CFPB Loan Estimate rules. Educational comparison math, not a quote or a lock.
- [Guide to refinancing your mortgage](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/complete-guide-to-refinancing-your-mortgage): What a mortgage refinance replaces, CFPB break-even and rescission rules, and rate-and-term versus cash-out. Education, not advice to refinance.
- [What credit score to buy a house](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/credit-score-to-buy-a-house): Typical 2026 credit-score ranges for conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA mortgages. Educational floors from HUD, Fannie Mae, VA, and USDA, not a quote.
- [Debt-to-income ratio and house affordability](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/debt-to-income-ratio-house-afford): How lenders calculate mortgage DTI, with the CFPB's 33 percent example. A planning explainer for the affordability tool, not personal advice.
- [Freddie Mac vs Bankrate vs Mortgage News Daily rates](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/freddie-mac-vs-bankrate-vs-mortgage-news-daily-rates): Freddie Mac PMMS is 7.40% as of October 15, 2026. Bankrate purchase average is 7.47% as of October 20, 2026. Mortgage News Daily is 7.43% as of October 19, 2026.
- [HELOC vs cash-out refinance](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/heloc-vs-cash-out-refinance): How a HELOC differs from a cash-out refinance, using CFPB junior-lien and home-equity definitions. Educational comparison, not a product recommendation.
- [Home equity loans, fair credit](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/home-equity-loans-with-fair-or-bad-credit): How HELOCs, home equity loans, and cash-out refinances differ when credit is fair or bad, with no promise of approval.
- [HomeReady vs Home Possible](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/homeready-vs-home-possible-programs-compared): Compare Fannie Mae HomeReady and Freddie Mac Home Possible on down payment, income limits, and education.
- [How Lenders Verify Your Income for a Mortgage](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/how-lenders-verify-your-income-for-a-mortgage): How mortgage lenders document wages, overtime, and self-employed income, without an approval promise.
- [How mortgage rates are determined](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/how-mortgage-rates-are-actually-determined): How lenders price mortgages using Treasuries, MBS, and Freddie Mac's weekly PMMS survey. Educational mechanics, not a quote or a forecast.
- [How much down payment you need](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/how-much-down-payment-do-you-really-need): Down payment structures for conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans, and the other cash you still need at closing.
- [Compare lenders side by side](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/how-to-compare-mortgage-lenders-side-by-side): How to compare note rate, APR, points, fees, and lock length on Loan Estimates without treating a quote as a promise.
- [How to read your mortgage statement](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/how-to-read-your-mortgage-statement): A line-by-line look at your monthly mortgage statement, from amount due to escrow, principal, and year-to-date totals.
- [How to remove PMI from a mortgage](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/how-to-remove-pmi-from-your-mortgage): CFPB Homeowners Protection Act rules for canceling PMI at 80 percent original value and automatic termination at 78 percent. Education, not a servicer request.
- [Jumbo loans explained](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/jumbo-loans-explained): When a mortgage becomes jumbo under FHFA 2026 conforming limits, including the $832,750 baseline. Educational limit math, not a quote.
- [Mortgage rates edge lower (June 5, 2026)](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/market-update-2026-06-05): As of June 5, 2026, MND shows 30-year fixed at 6.58% and Freddie Mac's weekly benchmark is 6.48%. Here is what kept rates rangebound and what it means for buyers.
- [Mortgage rates steady after jobs surprise (June 6, 2026)](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/market-update-2026-06-06): As of June 6, 2026, MND shows top-tier 30-year fixed at 6.66% and Freddie Mac's weekly benchmark is 6.48%. A strong jobs report kept rate-cut hopes in check.
- [Mortgage rates today: mid-6s snapshot (Jun 7, 2026)](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/market-update-2026-06-07): As of June 7, 2026, MND’s daily index shows 30-year fixed at 6.66% and 15-year fixed at 6.13%, while Freddie Mac’s weekly 30-year average is 6.48%. Markets digested a stronger jobs report.
- [Mortgage rate update June 8, 2026](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/market-update-2026-06-08): June 8, 2026 mortgage rate snapshot plus what moved rates and what it could mean for buyers and refinancers.
- [Mortgage rate update June 9, 2026](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/market-update-2026-06-09): June 9, 2026 mortgage rate snapshot plus what moved rates and what it could mean for buyers and refinancers.
- [Mortgage rate update June 11, 2026](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/market-update-2026-06-11): June 11, 2026 mortgage rate snapshot, what is moving rates today, and what it could mean for buyers and refinancers.
- [Mortgage rate update June 12, 2026](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/market-update-2026-06-12): June 12, 2026 mortgage rate snapshot, what is moving rates today, and what it could mean for buyers and refinancers.
- [Mortgage rates today: jobs data in focus](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/market-update-2026-07-01): Mortgage rates are holding near recent highs as markets watch jobs data and Treasury yields. Here is what that means for buyers and refinancers today.
- [Mortgage rates dip after jobs report (Jul 2, 2026)](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/market-update-2026-07-02): Mortgage rates dipped on July 2, 2026 after a weaker-than-expected jobs report. Here’s the 30-year and 15-year snapshot and what it could mean for buyers and refinancers.
- [Mortgage rates dip after jobs report (Jul 3, 2026)](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/market-update-2026-07-03): Mortgage rates eased after a weaker-than-expected jobs report. Here’s today’s 30-year and 15-year snapshot, what moved rates, and what it could mean for buyers and refinancers.
- [Mortgage rates mid-6s (Jul 5, 2026) | HomeMortgageOnline](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/market-update-2026-07-05): Mortgage rates are holding near the mid-6% range in major national averages. Here’s today’s snapshot, what’s driving pricing, and how to think about your next step as a buyer or refinancer.
- [Mortgage rates steady near 6.5% (Jul 6, 2026) | HomeMortgageOnline](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/market-update-2026-07-06): Weekly mortgage rate snapshot for July 6, 2026: where 30-year and 15-year fixed rates landed, what moved them, and what it may mean for buyers and refinancers.
- [Mortgage rates near mid-6% (Jul 13, 2026) | HomeMortgageOnline](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/market-update-2026-07-13): Weekly mortgage rate snapshot for July 13, 2026: where 30-year and 15-year fixed rates landed, what moved them, and what it may mean for buyers and refinancers.
- [Mortgage rates ease late week (Jul 20, 2026) | HomeMortgageOnline](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/market-update-2026-07-20): Weekly mortgage rate snapshot for July 20, 2026: where 30-year and 15-year fixed rates landed, what moved them, and what it may mean for buyers and refinancers.
- [Mortgage rates stay elevated (Jul 27, 2026) | HomeMortgageOnline](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/market-update-2026-07-27): Weekly mortgage rate snapshot for July 27, 2026: where 30-year and 15-year fixed rates are, what moved them, and what it could mean for buyers and refinancers.
- [Mortgage rates near 6.7% this week | HomeMortgageOnline](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/market-update-2026-08-03): This week's mortgage rates hover near 6.7% as a split Fed and oil-driven inflation worries keep pressure on rates. See what's moving the market.
- [Mortgage rates ease near 6.7% | HomeMortgageOnline](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/market-update-2026-08-19): 30-year averages sit near 6.7% this week after a small Wednesday dip. See MND, Bankrate, and Freddie Mac figures and what moved rates.
- [Mortgage surveys diverge this week | HomeMortgageOnline](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/market-update-2026-08-27): Freddie Mac PMMS is 6.66% while daily indexes sit near 6.75%. Sticky inflation and inventory gains frame this week's shopping math.
- [Mortgage rates climb as PMMS hits 6.71% | HomeMortgageOnline](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/market-update-2026-09-03): Freddie Mac's weekly 30-year average rose to 6.71% on September 3, 2026, while Mortgage News Daily's daily index sat at 6.91% on September 2. Bankrate's daily national average was 6.80%.
- [PMMS climbs again to 6.76% as sheets clear 7% | HomeMortgageOnline](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/market-update-2026-09-10): Freddie Mac's weekly 30-year average rose to 6.76% on September 10, 2026. Bankrate's daily average was 6.85%. Mortgage News Daily's daily index showed 7.07%.
- [PMMS jumps 19 bp to 6.95% | HomeMortgageOnline](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/market-update-2026-09-17): Freddie Mac's weekly 30-year average jumped 19 bp to 6.95% on September 17, 2026. Bankrate's daily average was 7.06%. Mortgage News Daily's daily index showed 7.19%.
- [Fourth PMMS climb to 7.03% | HomeMortgageOnline](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/market-update-2026-09-24): Freddie Mac's 30-year average rose to 7.03% on September 24, 2026, a fourth straight climb. Bankrate was 7.17%. Mortgage News Daily's index was 7.37%.
- [Fifth PMMS climb to 7.28% | HomeMortgageOnline](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/market-update-2026-10-01): Freddie Mac's 30-year average rose to 7.28% on October 1, 2026, a fifth straight climb. Bankrate was 7.43%. Mortgage News Daily's index was 7.60%.
- [Mortgage preapproval: how to apply](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/mortgage-preapproval-how-to-apply): How CFPB preapproval differs from prequalification, what lenders review, and why three letters are not a loan. Education, not an application.
- [Mortgage Rates: A Look Back Since the 1970s](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/mortgage-rates-a-look-back-since-the-1970s): Freddie Mac PMMS history from 1971 to 2026, so you can place today's average in past cycles yourself.
- [Who non-QM loans are for](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/non-qm-loans-who-theyre-for-and-how-they-differ): How non-QM loans differ from qualified mortgages, including bank-statement and asset-based options for self-employed buyers.
- [PMI vs MIP: Mortgage Insurance Differences](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/pmi-vs-mip-mortgage-insurance-differences): How conventional PMI differs from FHA MIP, including premiums and when each one can end.
- [Prequalified vs preapproved](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/prequalified-vs-preapproved-what-differs): How a soft mortgage estimate differs from a letter based on reviewed documents, and why sellers ask which you have.
- [What a rent-control chart means if you rent or buy](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/rent-control-review-2026-10-04): How to read the Financial Times rent-control chart in Crémieux's October 4, 2026 post if you are deciding whether to keep a lease or buy.
- [The 28/36 Rule: How Much House Can You Afford?](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/the-28-36-rule-how-much-house-can-you-afford): What the 28/36 housing and debt ratios mean, how lenders differ, and how to run your own numbers.
- [Home buying process steps](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/the-home-buying-process-step-by-step): A plain checklist of the home purchase path, from budget and preapproval through offer, underwriting, and closing.
- [What MBS are and why rates move](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/what-are-mbs-and-why-mortgage-rates-move): What mortgage-backed securities are, and why home-loan rates follow that market more than the Fed's overnight rate alone.
- [What Is a HELOC and How Can You Use One?](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/what-is-a-heloc-and-how-can-you-use-one): What a HELOC is, how the draw and repayment periods work, and what a second mortgage puts at risk.
- [What is a mortgage rate lock](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/what-is-a-mortgage-rate-lock): How a CFPB rate lock holds a quoted interest rate to closing if the file and timeline stay the same. Education, not a lock offer.
- [What lender hiring means when rates move](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/what-lender-job-postings-mean-when-rates-move): Lender and loan-officer job ads usually track origination volume as weekly PMMS moves. They are not a forecast of your quote. We do not lend.
- [Where Are Mortgage Rates Headed Next?](https://homemortgageonline.com/blog/where-are-mortgage-rates-headed-next): What moves mortgage rates next: Fed policy, inflation, and the bond market. A watch list, not a forecast.

## Optional

- [Sitemap](https://homemortgageonline.com/sitemap.xml): Every public HTML page at its final URL.