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The Complete Guide to Mortgages: Types, Rates, and the Home-Buying Process

By Allen Krewzz
Published July 5, 2026Updated July 5, 2026
The Complete Guide to Mortgages: Types, Rates, and the Home-Buying Process

What a Mortgage Actually Is

The Main Mortgage Types

How Interest Rates Are Set

Even a difference of half a percentage point in your rate can change total interest paid over a 30-year loan by tens of thousands of dollars — shopping multiple lenders for the same loan type is one of the highest-value steps in the process.

From Application to Closing

What a Mortgage Really Costs

When Refinancing Makes Sense

Common Mistakes

Conclusion