Safely unlock your home's value with these standout lenders and useful tips to help you avoid costly mistakes.

According to data from Freddie Mac, the average rate for a 15-year mortgage is 6.13% as of Jan. 2, 2025. In comparison, the average 30-year mortgage is 6.90%. Lock in your rate ...

These are some of the top mortgage lenders for consumers with 600 credit scores. Most mortgage lenders require a 620 credit score to apply, and some only work with consumers who have 680 FICO scores.

A home equity conversion mortgage, or HECM, is the most common type of reverse mortgage. It is backed by the Federal Housing Administration and, in 2025, is capped at $1,209,750.

The income required to get a mortgage depends on how large a mortgage you need and how much debt you already have. Lenders like to see a DTI ratio of no more than 36 percent, although some may ...

If you prefer familiarity, going with your existing bank or credit union may be best, even if you pay a little more for your loan. And you may very well get the lowest possible rate this way anyway.

Second mortgage example Step 1: Find the maximum combined loan-to-value (CLTV): First, you’ll want to determine your lender’s CLTV cap (usually between 75% and 95%). You can calculate the ...