Mortgage Guides, Tips & Market Insights

Fixed-Rate vs. Adjustable-Rate Mortgage: Which Should You Choose in 2026?

Short answer: A 5/1 ARM and a 7/1 ARM are the two adjustable loans almost every DMV buyer is actually choosing between. A fixed rate mortgage keeps the same rate for the whole term. An adjustable rate mortgage holds a lower rate for an opening period, usually five, seven or ten years, then resets on

15-Year vs. 30-Year Mortgage: Which Saves You More Money? (2026 DMV Guide)

Short answer: The 15 vs 30 year mortgage question is not really about interest saved, it is about what the higher payment costs you elsewhere. On a $600,000 loan at the rates Freddie Mac reported for the week ending August 27, 2026, the 15 year saves you $477,875 in interest. It also costs $1,201 mo

Jumbo Loans in Northern Virginia: What You Need to Know for Homes Over $1,249,125

Jumbo Loans in Northern Virginia: What You Need to Know for Homes Over $1,249,125 Quick Answer: A jumbo loan is any mortgage bigger than the conforming limit the FHFA sets for your county. Nationally that limit is $832,750 in 2026. Northern Virginia sits inside the DC metro high-cost area, though, s

How Much Is a Mortgage on a $500,000 House? Full Payment Breakdown

With 20 percent down at 6.76 percent, a $500,000 house runs about $3,082 a month in Loudoun County and $3,228 in Fairfax County. Short answer: How much is a mortgage on a 500k house depends far more on your down payment and your county than on the headline rate. With 20 percent down at the 6.76 perc