Government-backed loans
FHA Loans in 2026: Requirements, Limits, MIP and Who Qualifies
What you need for an FHA loan in 2026: 580 and 500 credit tiers, 3.5% down, MIP costs, county loan limits, DTI rules and who no longer qualifies.
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Guides tagged “First-time buyers”
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Government-backed loans
VA Home Loan Eligibility in 2026: Service Rules, Funding Fee and Limits
Who qualifies for a VA home loan in 2026: service rules, the COE, no limit with full entitlement, the funding fee table, exemptions and residual income.
Government-backed loans
USDA Loan Requirements in 2026: Eligible Areas, Income Limits and Fees
USDA guaranteed loan rules for 2026: eligible rural areas, income limits, guarantee fees, credit and debt ratios, property rules and direct loans.
Government-backed loans
FHA vs Conventional Loan: Costs, MIP vs PMI and Which Wins in 2026
FHA vs conventional loans compared for 2026: credit, down payment, MIP vs PMI, loan limits and DTI, with hypothetical cost examples of when each wins.
Conventional and jumbo loans
Conventional Loan Requirements in 2026: Credit, Down Payment, Limits and PMI
What a conventional loan requires in 2026: the $832,750 conforming limit, credit score rules, DTI caps, 3% down options like HomeReady, PMI and reserves.
Immigrant home buyers
ITIN Mortgages: How to Buy a House With an ITIN in 2026
How an ITIN mortgage works in 2026: why FHA and most conventional loans are off the table, who lends, typical requirements, documents and scams to avoid.
First-time buyers
Types of Mortgage Loans Compared: Which Mortgage Is Right for You?
Every main type of mortgage loan in one place: FHA, conventional, VA, USDA, jumbo and non-QM, plus fixed vs ARM, 15 vs 30 years and how to choose.
First-time buyers
Mortgage Requirements by Loan Type: Credit, Down Payment and DTI in 2026
2026 mortgage requirements: credit score, down payment, DTI, reserves, documents and residency for FHA, VA, USDA, conventional, jumbo and ITIN loans.
First-time buyers
Down Payment Assistance Programs: How DPA Works in 2026
How down payment assistance works: grants, forgivable and deferred seconds, matched savings and MCCs, finding your state HFA, the rules and the catches.