Mortgage Education & Tools

Learn the nuts and bolts of homeownership, all in one place. Read up on essential mortgage topics, compare home loan options and plan your next move with powerful calculators and expert guides.

Articles & Tools

Mortgage Calculator
Use our monthly mortgage payment calculator to estimate your loan payments. Calculate your monthly costs and explore different mortgage options for your home.
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Home Buying
Citi provides resources to support you throughout the home buying process, including rate and loan type comparison. Learn more from Citi about buying a home.
Home Buying Guide
10 min read
Closing costs: what are they and how much will you pay?
- Real Estate Process
- Home Buying
7 min read
10 Essential questions to ask a real estate agent
- First Time Buyer
- Real Estate Process
7 min read
15 vs. 30 year mortgage: Which loan term is right for you?
- Loan Types
- Home Loans
5 min read
A guide to government-backed home loans
- FHA Loans
- Home Loans
Additional Payment Mortgage Calculator
Use our Additional Mortgage Payment Calculator to explore how one-time or recurring extra payments can help you pay off your loan sooner and reduce total interest paid.
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deep dive
Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARM) explained
Affordability Calculator: how much house can I afford?
Use our home affordability calculator to estimate how much house you can afford. Learn your options based on income and budget to find the perfect home.
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Amortization Calculator
Use our Amortization Calculator to see how each payment applies to principal and interest over time. Get a detailed schedule and gain insight into your loan balance.
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8 min read
Annual percentage rate vs. interest rate
- Home Loans
- Rates
6 min read
Are property taxes included in your mortgage payment?
- First Time Buyer
- Financial Planning
8 min read
Assuming a mortgage: what it is and how it works
- Real Estate Process
- Home Buying
7 min read
Buying a house with bad credit: a guide to your home loan options
- Financial Planning
- Home Buying
Calculators
Easy-to-use mortgage calculator tools help you decide how much house you can afford, calculate debt-to-income ratio and estimate your monthly mortgage payment.
Calculators Guide
4 min read
Can I refinance with bad credit?
- Financial Planning
- Credit Score
5 min read
Can you use a HELOC for a down payment on a second home?
- Budget Planning
- Refinancing Process
3 min read
Can you use a HELOC to buy another property?
- Refinancing Process
- Home Buying
Cash-Out Refinance Calculator
Use our cash out refinance calculator to estimate how much equity you can access. Explore refinancing options and calculate new payments with a cash out refi.
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8 min read
Cash-out refinance guide: how it works and what you need to know
- Refinance Types
- Refinancing Process
deep dive
Citi HomeRun® mortgage
6 min read
Closing documents for buyers: a step-by-step guide
- Real Estate Process
- Home Buying
4 min read
Closing on a home: a simple step-by-step guide
- Real Estate Process
- Home Buying
5 min read
Conventional home loan vs. FHA: pros, cons and differences
- Loan Types
- Conventional Loans
deep dive
Conventional loans: What they are & how they work
Cost of Living Calculator
Use our cost of living calculator to compare costs across cities and regions. Estimate expenses to make informed decisions about your next move.
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Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator
Use our free Debt-to-Income (DTI) Calculator to see how your monthly debt compares to your income—and discover what loan options you may qualify for.
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7 min read
Debt-to-income ratio: what defines a good DTI?
- Financial Planning
- Home Buying
5 min read
Do you need a realtor to buy a house?
- First Time Buyer
- Real Estate Process
8 min read
Down payment on a house: how much do you really need?
- First Time Buyer
- Home Buying
Equity
Learn what home equity is, how it builds over time and how homeowners may use it through options like home equity loans or HELOCs to help fund major expenses.
Equity Guide
6 min read
Escrow: what is it and how does it work?
- First Time Buyer
- Home Buying
5 min read
Fed rate cut: What it means for mortgage rates and homebuyers
- Financial Planning
- Refinancing
6 min read
Federal Reserve interest rates: How they affect you
- Loan Types
- Current Interest Rates
deep dive
FHA Loans
9 min read
First-time home buyers: your guide to programs, grants and loans
- First Time Buyer
- Real Estate Process
5 min read
Fixed vs. adjustable mortgages after a rate cut
- Loan Types
- Current Interest Rates
8 min read
Fixed vs. adjustable-rate loans—which is right for you?
- Loan Types
- Home Buying
deep dive
Fixed-rate mortgage loans
6 min read
Getting preapproved vs. prequalified for a mortgage: what’s the difference?
- First Time Buyer
- Home Buying
HELOC Calculator: estimate your monthly payment
Use our HELOC calculator to estimate your payments. Explore repayment options and calculate how much equity you can access from your home.
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deep dive
HELOC loans: Home equity line of credit
8 min read
HELOC vs. home equity loan: which is best for you?
- Loan Types
- Home Equity Loans
deep dive
Home equity loans: borrow against your home
Home Loans
Explore home mortgage loan options from Citi. Compare current rates and find the right mortgage loan to meet your needs and achieve your goals.
Home Loans Guide
deep dive
HomeReady® & Home Possible® loans
6 min read
How does a mortgage contingency work?
- First Time Buyer
- Real Estate Process
9 min read
How much does it cost to refinance a mortgage?
- Refinancing Process
- Refinancing
10 min read
How much money do you need to buy a house?
- First Time Buyer
- Financial Planning
6 min read
How the Fed rate impacts HELOC & home equity loans
- Home Equity Loans
- HELOC
9 min read
How to apply for a mortgage
- First Time Buyer
- Loan Process
7 min read
How to buy a home
- Home Buying
3 min read
How to buy a house with low income
- Budget Planning
- Loan Types
7 min read
How to get a mortgage when you’re self-employed
- Loan Types
- Home Loans
5 min read
How to get mortgage preapproval
- Real Estate Process
- Loan Process
5 min read
How to lower mortgage payments
- Lower Payments
- Home Loans
5 min read
How to make an offer on a house
- First Time Buyer
- Real Estate Process
6 min read
How to negotiate after a home inspection
- Real Estate Process
- Inspection
4 min read
How to pay off your mortgage faster
- Financial Planning
- Lower Payments
7 min read
How to Qualify for a VA Home Loan: Eligibility, Documents & Key Requirements
5 min read
Is now a good time to refinance?
- Refinancing Process
- Home Loans
deep dive
Jumbo Loans
8 min read
Learning about mortgage underwriting
- Real Estate Process
- Home Buying
Mortgage Payoff Calculator
Use our mortgage payoff calculator to estimate how early payments can reduce your loan term. Calculate the impact of paying off your mortgage early.
Calculate Now
5 min read
Mortgage points: what are they and how do they work?
- First Time Buyer
- Loan Process
5 min read
Mortgage protection insurance: what you need to know
- Home Buying
- Insurance
7 min read
Mortgage recasting: What to know before you reamortize a mortgage loan
Mortgage Refinance Calculator
Use our refi calculator to estimate your new mortgage payments. Calculate savings, compare loan options, and see how refinancing can lower monthly payments.
Calculate Now
5 min read
PMI home loan: what it is and how it works
- Real Estate Process
- Home Buying
7 min read
Rate and term refinance
- Lower Payments
- Refinancing
4 min read
Rate cuts & home affordability: is your buying power improving?
- Financial Planning
- Home Buying
Rates
Get today’s current mortgage rates and trends. Stay updated on Citi mortgage interest rates and see how they impact your home financing options.
Rates Guide
7 min read
Real estate comps: what they are and how to find them in your area
- First Time Buyer
- Real Estate Process
Refinancing
Learn how refinancing a mortgage works, explore current mortgage refinancing rates and consider whether a mortgage loan refinance from Citi may lower your costs.
Refinancing Guide
8 min read
Refinancing a home equity loan: what to know
- Lower Payments
- Home Equity Loans
7 min read
Renting vs. buying: what's right for you?
- Financial Planning
- Home Buying
8 min read
Reverse mortgage: what it is and how does it work?
- Loan Types
- Specialty Loans
4 min read
Should I get a cash-out refinance or HELOC?
- Refinance Types
- HELOC
6 min read
Should I pay off debt or save for a house?
- Home Buying
- Credit Score
3 min read
Smart ways to use home equity to pay down debt
- Financial Planning
- Refinancing Process
6 min read
The final walkthrough: your ultimate checklist
- Real Estate Process
- Home Buying
7 min read
The mortgage loan process explained: Step-by-step
- Loan Process
- Application Process
6 min read
Understanding different home loan types
- Loan Types
- Home Buying
deep dive
USDA loans: Affordable rural mortgages
7 min read
VA IRRRL: Streamline refinance rates and requirements
- Home Buying
- Refinancing
9 min read
VA loans vs. conventional loans: what’s the difference?
- Loan Types
- VA Loans
deep dive
VA Loans: What they are and how to apply
5 min read
What a Fed rate cut really means for your mortgage
- Financial Planning
- Current Interest Rates
8 min read
What are construction loans?
- Loan Types
- Specialty Loans
9 min read
What credit score do you need to buy a house?
- Budget Planning
- First Time Buyer
7 min read
What is a balloon mortgage? Key pros & cons
- Loan Types
- Home Buying
6 min read
What is a bridge loan?
- Loan Types
- Specialty Loans
5 min read
What is a closing disclosure? Everything you need to know
- Home Buying
- Closing
7 min read
What is a hard money loan?
- Specialty Loans
6 min read
What is a home appraisal and how much does it cost?
- First Time Buyer
- Real Estate Process
10 min read
What is a mortgage? Understanding home loans
- First Time Buyer
- Home Buying
4 min read
What is a mortgagee clause?
- First Time Buyer
- Home Buying
6 min read
What is a real estate agent and what do they do?
- First Time Buyer
- Real Estate Process
8 min read
What is a short sale?
- Real Estate Process
- Home Buying
5 min read
What is an appraisal contingency and how does it work?
- First Time Buyer
- Real Estate Process
5 min read
What is cost of living? A state and city breakdown
- Budget Planning
- Home Buying
6 min read
What is earnest money and how does it work?
- Offers
- Home Buying
5 min read
What is homeowners insurance?
- First Time Buyer
- Home Buying
6 min read
What is mortgage insurance and when do you need it?
- First Time Buyer
- Home Buying
6 min read
What is title insurance?
- First Time Buyer
- Home Buying
5 min read
What to know about buying a second home
- Budget Planning
- Home Buying
6 min read
What’s a home inspection––and what does it include?
- First Time Buyer
- Inspection
6 min read
What’s a primary residence?
- First Time Buyer
- Home Buying
4 min read
What's a residential mortgage credit report?
- Loan Process
- Home Buying
6 min read
What’s the difference between a home warranty and home insurance?
- First Time Buyer
- Home Buying
4 min read
When to refinance in a high-rate market
- Home Loans
- Refinancing

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