Learning Center
Learn mortgages the plain-English way
Straight answers about mortgages, from a licensed loan officer who explains the why behind every number. Browse by topic below — home buying, loan types, refinancing, home equity, rates, and the fundamentals — or scroll for the latest guides and articles.
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Home Buying
Pre-approval, down payment help, offers, and closing — the full buyer journey.
Explore Home BuyingLoan Types
FHA, VA, USDA, conventional, jumbo, DSCR and more — compared plainly.
Explore Loan TypesRefinancing
When to refinance, closing-cost math, and traps to avoid.
Explore RefinancingHome Equity
Home equity loans and HELOCs — how to put your equity to work.
Explore Home EquityRates & Market
What really drives rates, plus timely market news.
Explore Rates & MarketMortgage Basics
APR, taxes, escrow, title, and the tools that tie it together.
Explore Mortgage BasicsLatest guides & articles
Why California Condo Loans Are Falling Through in 2026
Fannie Mae's August 2026 condo rules plus widespread SB 326 non-compliance are killing California condo loans. Learn why and how to protect yourself.
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Portable Mortgages: Can You Take Your Mortgage to a New Home?
A portable mortgage lets you move your existing loan and rate to a new home. It is common in Canada and the UK but rare in the US. Here is the reality, and the workaround.
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Can You Buy a 5 to 8 Unit Property With an FHA Loan?
No. FHA financing caps at 4 units. A 5-unit-or-larger building is commercial and needs different financing. Here is why, and what to use instead.
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Can You Deduct Mortgage Interest in 2026? What Changed
The $750,000 mortgage interest deduction cap is now permanent under the 2025 tax law. PMI is deductible again for 2026. Rental interest goes on Schedule E, not C. Here is the plain-English version.
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FHA MIP Refund: Can You Get Your Upfront MIP Back?
Refinance your FHA loan into a new FHA loan within three years and you get part of your upfront MIP back, credited toward the new loan. Here is how it works.
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Rate-and-Term vs Cash-Out Refinance: Which One Do You Need?
A rate-and-term refinance changes your rate or term; a cash-out replaces your loan with a larger one for cash. Learn which one fits your goal.
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