This week (Freddie Mac PMMS, August 27, 2026): 30-yr 6.66% 15-yr 5.98%Updated weekly on ThursdaysPrimary Mortgage Market Survey® data provided by Freddie Mac
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Mortgages in plain English

Every article starts with a real dollar example and ends with what to do next.

I am buyingI am refinancingI am confused by a document

Start here

Six short reads, in the order they matter. About four minutes each.

  1. 1What a rate really is4 min
  2. 2Rate vs APR4 min
  3. 3The Loan Estimate decoded4 min
  4. 4Points and credits4 min
  5. 5Locking your rate4 min
  6. 6Closing day4 min

By your situation

The same loan works differently depending on who you are.

First-time buyerGuideSelf-employedGuideGoing through divorceGuideRetired or near retirementGuideReal estate investorGuideVeteran homebuyerGuide

The cost of getting it wrong

Ranges from public research by the CFPB and Freddie Mac. Your own number depends on your loan.

Not shopping

$1,500 to $6,000

Source: CFPB: Nearly half of borrowers do not shop for a mortgage

Getting one more quote is the cheapest money you will ever make.

Paying points you never recoup

$4,800

Source: CFPB Data Spotlight: Trends in discount points amid rising interest rates

If you sell or refinance before breakeven, the points are gone.

Refinancing too early

$9,100

Source: CFPB: Should I refinance? (consumer handout)

New fees can cost more than the lower payment saves you.

Decoders

Tools, not articles. Nothing you type is stored.

Loan Estimate decoderType in your numbers and get plain English back.Open decoderClosing Disclosure decoderSee what you are really paying on closing day.Open decoder

Latest

DateArticleAuthorReviewReading time
Sep 3, 2026The cost of not shoppingEditorial teamPending review4 min
Sep 3, 2026Paying points you never recoupEditorial teamPending review4 min
Sep 3, 2026Refinancing too earlyEditorial teamPending review4 min
Sep 3, 2026Should you pay points when rates are above 6%?Editorial teamPending review3 min
Sep 3, 2026What a mortgage rate really is (and why the number in the news is not yours)Editorial teamPending review4 min
Sep 3, 2026Rate vs APR, explainedEditorial teamPending review4 min
Sep 3, 2026The Loan Estimate, page by pageEditorial teamPending review3 min
Sep 3, 2026Points and lender creditsEditorial teamPending review4 min
Sep 3, 2026Locking your rateEditorial teamPending review4 min
Sep 3, 2026Closing day and the Closing DisclosureEditorial teamPending review4 min

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