Mortgage Guides, Tips & Market Insights

Maximum DTI for a Mortgage: The 2026 Limits by Loan Type

There is no single maximum DTI. There are eight different ceilings, and which one applies to you depends on the loan and on who approved it. Short answer: there is no single maximum debt-to-income ratio. Conventional loans run to 50 percent through Desktop Underwriter and 36 to 45 percent when under

How Much Is a Mortgage on a $600,000 House? Monthly Payment in 2026

The same $600,000 house costs $223 a month more in Fairfax County than in Montgomery County, before anyone looks at your rate. Short answer: at the current 30 year fixed average of 6.95 percent, a $600,000 house costs about $3,177 a month in principal and interest with 20 percent down, $3,575 with 1

FHA Loans in Virginia: Limits, Requirements and Credit Rules for 2026

The same FHA program buys a $1,249,125 house in Stafford County and a $541,287 house in King George County, one county line away. Short answer: an FHA loan in Virginia needs 3.5 percent down with a credit score of 580 or higher, or 10 percent down between 500 and 579. The property has to be your pri

Minimum Down Payment for a House: What First-Time Buyers Actually Need in 2026

The published minimum is 3 percent. What you actually bring to closing is decided by the appraisal, the funding fee and the seller credit cap. Short answer: the minimum down payment for a first-time buyer is 3 percent on a conventional loan, 3.5 percent on FHA with a credit score of 580 or higher, a