How-to slides
MORTGAGE EDUCATION MADE SIMPLE

See your mortgage
numbers clearly.

Adjust the numbers and instantly understand your payment, interest, savings, and break-even point.

✓ Free to use✓ No sign-in✓ Your data is not saved
$2,823Estimated monthly payment
Principal & interestTax, insurance & fees
01

Choose your calculator

Select a calculator and adjust the numbers

Monthly Payment

Complete payment estimate

LIVE ESTIMATE
Estimated monthly payment$2,823/mo

Principal, interest, estimated tax, insurance

Loan amount$320,000
P&I only$2,023
Total interest$408,142
Down payment$80,000

Monthly estimate includes $600 tax + $200 insurance + $0 HOA.

Educational estimate only. Actual payment, APR, fees, taxes, insurance and qualification may vary.

02

How to use each calculator

Move through the slides, then open the matching calculator.

SLIDE 01 / 06

Monthly Payment

Estimate the complete monthly housing payment

  1. Enter the home price and down-payment percentage.
  2. Add the interest rate, loan term, annual property tax and insurance.
  3. Add monthly HOA dues, if applicable.
  4. Review P&I, estimated total payment, loan amount and total interest.
RememberBudget from the estimated total payment—not principal and interest alone.
VISUAL GUIDE
P&I
Tax
Insurance
HOA/PMI

The live calculator updates as you change the inputs.

03

A good decision
starts with the numbers.

A calculator gives you a starting point—not an approval. Compare the complete loan estimate, not just the interest rate.

↓ Click a topic to learn more
01

Rate ≠ APR

APR reflects the interest rate plus certain loan costs to show the annual cost of borrowing.

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In simple terms:

The interest rate shows the cost of interest. APR can also account for lender fees, points, and certain closing costs, making it useful for comparing loan offers.

Example: The rate may be 6.50%, while fees make the APR 6.72%.
02

P&I ≠ Total Payment

Include taxes, insurance, HOA dues, and mortgage insurance in your budget.

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In simple terms:

Principal and interest are not your entire housing payment. Add property tax, homeowners insurance, HOA dues, and PMI or MIP to understand your true monthly budget.

Example: P&I may be $2,400, while the total payment is $3,150.
03

Break-even matters

Find out how many months it will take to recover the cost of refinancing.

+
Formula:

Closing costs ÷ monthly savings = break-even months. Refinancing may make sense if you expect to keep the home or loan beyond that period.

Example: $6,000 cost ÷ $200 monthly savings = 30 months.