Tips and strategies to pay off your mortgage faster
Rates swung from 2.65% to 8% and back again in just a few years. If you're buying, refinancing, or just trying to understand what's happening, here's a practical playbook for making smart decisions when rates won't sit still.
Read more →The share of Americans carrying mortgage debt into retirement has nearly doubled since 1989. The CFPB, Federal Reserve, and EBRI have all studied what happens when you do — and the findings should change how you think about your payoff timeline.
Read more →If you locked in at 7% or higher, today's rates may represent a real opportunity. But whether refinancing actually saves you money comes down to one calculation most people skip: the break-even point. Here's how to run the numbers and know for certain.
Read more →Most families focus on bedrooms, bathrooms, and backyards. But the school district may be the single biggest factor in your home's long-term value. Homes in top-rated districts command 20–25% premiums, appreciate faster, and sell quicker. Here's how to research districts and why this decision matters more than any renovation.
Read more →Skip the theory. We pulled actual inventory data, buyer-to-seller ratios, and supply figures for 20 major U.S. metros—from Austin to Milwaukee—so you can see exactly whether your city favors buyers or sellers right now.
Read more →Groceries, gas, insurance, childcare — everything is more expensive. Housing is the biggest cost of all. See what Americans can actually afford in 2026, salary by salary, and learn how to calculate your real number in today's market.
Read more →"You're throwing money away on rent." After 20 years in the mortgage industry, I can tell you this advice has cost people real money. The rent vs buy decision involves at least 12 variables. See the hidden costs on both sides and learn when renting wins, when buying wins, and how to find your break-even year.
Read more →The median age of first-time homebuyers has reached 40—an all-time high. What happened to the starter home, and what does this mean for the American Dream? A personal reflection on how homeownership has changed.
Read more →Should you sign up for bi-weekly payments, make a lump sum at the start of the year, or add extra each month? The answer depends on how mortgage interest is actually calculated. We compare all three strategies with real numbers.
Read more →Discover how making extra payments on your mortgage can save you tens of thousands of dollars in interest and help you become debt-free years earlier. Learn the math behind why even small extra payments make a big difference.
Read more →Is there an ideal age to be mortgage-free? We explore the factors to consider when setting your payoff goal, from retirement planning to opportunity costs, and help you find the right target for your situation.
Read more →The numbers might surprise you. See real examples of how much homeowners can save by paying off their mortgage ahead of schedule, and learn which strategies provide the biggest bang for your buck.
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