https://howlane.com/first-home-money/A plain-language guide to the costs and paperwork of buying a first home.enMon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://howlane.com/first-home-money/is-there-a-43-percent-dti-limit-for-a-mortgage-the-qualified-mortgage-rule/https://howlane.com/first-home-money/is-there-a-43-percent-dti-limit-for-a-mortgage-the-qualified-mortgage-rule/Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTFederal Regulation Z sets no percentage DTI cap for a qualified mortgage. Lenders must consider DTI or residual income, and the loan's price is capped instead.https://howlane.com/first-home-money/can-you-remove-pmi-early-if-your-home-value-went-up-fannie-mae-rules/https://howlane.com/first-home-money/can-you-remove-pmi-early-if-your-home-value-went-up-fannie-mae-rules/Sun, 18 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTYes, on a Fannie Mae loan you can ask to end PMI once your balance is 75% of current value (2 to 5 years in) or 80% (after 5 years), after a valuation.https://howlane.com/first-home-money/homeowners-insurance-what-it-covers-and-leaves-out/https://howlane.com/first-home-money/homeowners-insurance-what-it-covers-and-leaves-out/Sat, 17 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTNAIC and FEMA explain the standard coverages, the rebuild-cost limit, deductibles, and why flood and earthquake damage need separate policies.https://howlane.com/first-home-money/fha-loan-basics-down-payment-credit-score-and-mip/https://howlane.com/first-home-money/fha-loan-basics-down-payment-credit-score-and-mip/Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTHUD rules as of October 2026: FHA allows 3.5% down with a 580 score, charges 1.75% upfront MIP plus annual MIP, and 2026 one-unit limits start at $541,287.https://howlane.com/first-home-money/conforming-loan-limits-2026-and-jumbo-loans/https://howlane.com/first-home-money/conforming-loan-limits-2026-and-jumbo-loans/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTThe 2026 conforming loan limit is $832,750 for a one-unit home in most of the US. See how it is set, how high-cost areas differ, and why it matters.https://howlane.com/first-home-money/does-shopping-for-a-mortgage-hurt-your-credit/https://howlane.com/first-home-money/does-shopping-for-a-mortgage-hurt-your-credit/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTPer the CFPB as of October 2026, mortgage credit checks made within 45 days count as one inquiry. Here is how to compare lenders and what to ask each one.https://howlane.com/first-home-money/home-appraisal-vs-home-inspection/https://howlane.com/first-home-money/home-appraisal-vs-home-inspection/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTAn appraisal estimates value for your lender; an inspection checks the home's condition for you. See who arranges each, what you get, and why both matter.https://howlane.com/first-home-money/how-a-mortgage-rate-lock-works/https://howlane.com/first-home-money/how-a-mortgage-rate-lock-works/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTA rate lock holds your mortgage rate until closing if you close on time and your file holds. See what it protects, what it costs, and what voids it.https://howlane.com/first-home-money/is-mortgage-interest-tax-deductible-2026-rules/https://howlane.com/first-home-money/is-mortgage-interest-tax-deductible-2026-rules/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTMortgage interest is deductible only if you itemize, on up to $750,000 of debt. See how the 2026 standard deduction decides if a new buyer benefits.https://howlane.com/first-home-money/loan-to-value-ratio-how-your-down-payment-changes-the-loan/https://howlane.com/first-home-money/loan-to-value-ratio-how-your-down-payment-changes-the-loan/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTLoan-to-value compares what you borrow with the home's appraised value. See how down payment size and the appraisal move LTV, and why it matters.https://howlane.com/first-home-money/owners-vs-lenders-title-insurance-what-each-protects/https://howlane.com/first-home-money/owners-vs-lenders-title-insurance-what-each-protects/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTLender's title insurance is usually required and protects only the lender. Owner's coverage is optional. CFPB explains what each covers and how to shop.https://howlane.com/first-home-money/va-funding-fee-how-much-and-who-is-exempt/https://howlane.com/first-home-money/va-funding-fee-how-much-and-who-is-exempt/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTVA home loans need no down payment or mortgage insurance, but most borrowers pay a one-time funding fee. See the current rates, exemptions, and the math.https://howlane.com/first-home-money/usda-guaranteed-home-loan-no-down-payment-rural/https://howlane.com/first-home-money/usda-guaranteed-home-loan-no-down-payment-rural/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTThe USDA's Section 502 guaranteed loan offers 100 percent financing with a 90 percent lender guarantee. See the income, occupancy, and property rules.https://howlane.com/first-home-money/what-is-an-escrow-account-and-why-your-payment-changes/https://howlane.com/first-home-money/what-is-an-escrow-account-and-why-your-payment-changes/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTEscrow collects property taxes and insurance with each mortgage payment. See how federal rules set the deposit, cushion, shortages, and refunds.https://howlane.com/first-home-money/what-is-earnest-money-and-can-you-get-it-back/https://howlane.com/first-home-money/what-is-earnest-money-and-can-you-get-it-back/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTEarnest money is the deposit you pay when a seller accepts your offer. See who holds it, where it shows on loan forms, and when it is returned or lost.https://howlane.com/first-home-money/who-is-at-a-mortgage-closing-and-what-you-sign/https://howlane.com/first-home-money/who-is-at-a-mortgage-closing-and-what-you-sign/Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTPer the CFPB, signing at closing makes you legally responsible for the loan. Who attends, how closings vary by state, and four reasons not to sign.https://howlane.com/first-home-money/mortgage-points-when-buying-down-the-rate-pays-off/https://howlane.com/first-home-money/mortgage-points-when-buying-down-the-rate-pays-off/Mon, 12 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTDiscount points trade cash at closing for a lower rate. Here is how points work, how to find the break-even month, and when they may be tax deductible.https://howlane.com/first-home-money/debt-to-income-ratio-for-a-mortgage-explained/https://howlane.com/first-home-money/debt-to-income-ratio-for-a-mortgage-explained/Sun, 11 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTLenders compare your monthly debt payments with gross income before approving a mortgage. Here is how to calculate DTI and what it means.https://howlane.com/first-home-money/fixed-vs-adjustable-rate-mortgages-in-plain-words/https://howlane.com/first-home-money/fixed-vs-adjustable-rate-mortgages-in-plain-words/Sun, 11 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTA fixed rate never changes; an adjustable rate resets using an index plus a margin. See how an ARM adjusts, with payment math on a $300,000 loan.https://howlane.com/first-home-money/closing-costs-item-by-item/https://howlane.com/first-home-money/closing-costs-item-by-item/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTA walkthrough of the five-page Closing Disclosure using CFPB guidance: compare it to your Loan Estimate and see which fees you can shop for.https://howlane.com/first-home-money/mortgage-pre-approval-vs-pre-qualification/https://howlane.com/first-home-money/mortgage-pre-approval-vs-pre-qualification/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTWhat prequalification and preapproval letters actually guarantee, how lenders use the terms differently, and why the label matters less than you think.https://howlane.com/first-home-money/costs-to-expect-before-buying-a-first-home/https://howlane.com/first-home-money/costs-to-expect-before-buying-a-first-home/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTBeyond the down payment, buyers usually pay closing costs such as appraisal and tax service fees, title insurance, and recording and transfer taxes (CFPB).https://howlane.com/first-home-money/private-mortgage-insurance-when-it-actually-comes-off/https://howlane.com/first-home-money/private-mortgage-insurance-when-it-actually-comes-off/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMTFederal law lets you request PMI cancellation at 80% of original value and forces removal at 78%, plus a midpoint backstop and a $285,000 loan example.