Mortgage Loan Calculator

Mortgage FAQs

What Costs are Included In My Mortgage Payment?

Your mortgage payment(s) include your principal, interest, taxes and insurance. 

• Principal - amount you initially borrow from a lender to buy your home.
• Interest - percentage of the principal you’ll pay over the life of your loan as a fee for borrowing the money.
• Property tax - based on a percentage of your property value, and this can change from year to year depending on your local real estate market conditions – you can estimate your property tax rate by comparing your home with the property tax rate of similar homes in your area.
• Homeowners insurance -provides a safety net in case of damage to your property due to natural disaster or accidents, and the cost of homeowners insurance will vary depending on a range of factors, including the age and value of your home, location, your credit history, and more.

Will My Mortgage Payment Change Over Time?

There are several reasons why your mortgage payment may change over time. Your property taxes going up or down can cause a change in your mortgage payment, as can reassessment of your property value. You can also choose to refinance your mortgage loan, which can significantly change your mortgage payment. For example, if you shorten your 30-year loan to a 15-year loan, you will pay more on your mortgage, but you can pay off your loan faster and potentially save on interest costs.

What is the Difference Between Mortgage Pre-qualification and Pre-approval?

Pre-qualification for a home loan gives you an idea of how large a loan you are likely to qualify for. This is a first step and does not guarantee that this will be the rate you’re approved for. Pre-qualification can be done online and there is usually no cost involved. 

Pre-approval is a conditional approval after you’ve submitted a mortgage application and verified through a credit check. This provides you with a specific loan amount and interest information and allows you to start searching for a home with your specific loan parameters defined.

Can I Get a Mortgage if I Have Bad Credit?

Perfect credit is not a requirement for a mortgage but improving your credit can make it easier to apply for a mortgage and help you get a more competitive mortgage interest rate. The type of credit you have, length of credit history, payment history and outstanding balances all contribute to your FICO score.

How Long Does It Take to Buy a House?

Between getting a mortgage pre-approval, shopping for a home, submitting an offer and preparing to close on a home, you could spend as little as a few weeks or several months. Getting pre-approval early on in the process is essential to being able to make an offer as soon as you find the right home. You can expect to receive your pre-approval letter about a week after you apply – from there, you can start seriously pursuing the home search.

Should I Buy a House Instead of Rent?

There are many advantages to buying a house instead of renting. Homeownership is an investment, and putting equity into a home of your own can pay off down the road as your home potentially appreciates in value. You also have more freedom to make your own decisions with homeownership – renovate, redecorate and make upgrades to your own taste, and have control over the decisions you make on your property.