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Includes taxes, insurance & PMI

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Interest Rate
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PMI Rate i Auto-calculated if <20% down
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📊 This Week's Average Mortgage Rates

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Your Mortgage Breakdown

Based on your inputs — scroll down for full amortization schedule

Principal vs. Interest

Monthly Payment Breakdown (PITI)

Monthly vs. Bi-Weekly Payments

Paying bi-weekly means one extra full payment per year — here's how much you can save.

💡 Extra Payment Accelerator

See how much time and money you can save by making additional payments toward your principal.

Amortization Schedule

Payment-by-payment breakdown of your loan

PeriodPaymentPrincipalInterestBalance
Mortgage Education

Everything You Need to Know About Your Mortgage Payment

Your monthly mortgage payment is more than just principal and interest. Understanding every component helps you budget accurately, save money, and pay off your loan faster.

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What Is Principal?

Principal is the original amount of money you borrowed to purchase your home. Each monthly payment you make includes a portion that goes toward reducing this balance — this is called paying down your principal.

In the early years of a mortgage, a larger share of your payment goes to interest. As years pass, the balance shifts so more goes toward principal. This is called amortization.

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How Mortgage Interest Works

Mortgage interest is the cost you pay your lender for borrowing money. It's calculated monthly on your remaining loan balance. The annual interest rate divided by 12 gives your monthly rate.

Even a 0.5% difference in your interest rate can mean tens of thousands of dollars over the life of a 30-year loan — which is why shopping multiple lenders is so important.

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Property Taxes Explained

Property taxes are assessed by your local government and are typically calculated as a percentage of your home's assessed value. The national average is around 1.07%, but rates vary dramatically by state and county.

Most lenders require you to pay 1/12th of your annual tax bill each month into an escrow account, which they then pay on your behalf when the bill is due.

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Homeowners Insurance

Homeowners insurance protects your home and belongings from damage or loss due to events like fire, theft, or storms. Lenders require it to protect their investment in your property.

Premiums vary based on your home's value, location, coverage level, and claims history. The national average is roughly $1,200–$2,000 per year, but homes in disaster-prone areas often pay much more.

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What Is PMI and When Is It Required?

Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) protects the lender — not you — in case you default on the loan. It's typically required when your down payment is less than 20% of the home's purchase price.

PMI typically costs between 0.5% and 1.5% of your loan amount annually. Once your home equity reaches 20%, you can request cancellation. At 22% equity, lenders are legally required to remove it automatically.

The Power of Extra Payments

Making even small extra payments toward your principal can dramatically reduce your loan term and the total interest you pay. On a $400,000 loan at 6.85%, an extra $200/month could save you over $60,000 in interest and cut 5+ years off your loan.

Extra payments go directly to principal reduction, shrinking the balance on which future interest is calculated — creating a compounding savings effect.

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Bi-Weekly vs. Monthly Payments

A bi-weekly payment schedule means you make a payment every two weeks — totaling 26 half-payments, or the equivalent of 13 full monthly payments per year instead of 12.

That one extra payment per year goes entirely toward principal. On a typical 30-year mortgage, bi-weekly payments can shave 4–6 years off your loan and save $20,000–$40,000 in interest.

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Reading Your Amortization Schedule

An amortization schedule shows every payment over the life of your loan, broken down into how much goes to principal versus interest. In the early years, the interest portion dominates.

For example: on a 30-year $320,000 loan at 6.85%, your first payment of roughly $2,100 might include $1,827 in interest and only $273 toward principal. By year 25, that ratio flips dramatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much house can I afford?
A common rule of thumb is the 28/36 rule: your mortgage payment should not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income, and your total debt payments should not exceed 36%. So if you earn $8,000/month gross, aim for a mortgage payment no higher than $2,240. Use our calculator to work backward from a comfortable payment to find your target home price.
What credit score do I need for a mortgage?
For a conventional loan, most lenders require a minimum credit score of 620, though 740+ will get you the best rates. FHA loans allow scores as low as 500 (with 10% down) or 580 (with 3.5% down). VA and USDA loans have no official minimum, but most lenders still prefer 620+. The difference between a 680 and 760 score can be 0.5–1.0% in interest, costing tens of thousands over the life of the loan.
Is a 15-year or 30-year mortgage better?
A 15-year mortgage offers a lower interest rate (typically 0.5–0.75% less) and dramatically less total interest — but your monthly payment will be 30–40% higher. A 30-year mortgage gives you lower required payments and more cash flow flexibility. A popular middle-ground: take the 30-year loan but make extra principal payments when your budget allows. Our Extra Payment Accelerator shows exactly how much you'd save.
What is an escrow account?
An escrow account is managed by your mortgage servicer to collect and hold funds for your property taxes and homeowners insurance. Each month, a portion of your payment goes into escrow. When your tax bill or insurance premium is due, the servicer pays it from this account. Most mortgages include an escrow account, especially if your down payment was less than 20%.
When does PMI go away?
Under the Homeowners Protection Act, lenders must automatically cancel PMI when your loan balance reaches 78% of the original purchase price. You can also request cancellation once you reach 20% equity. If your home has appreciated significantly, a new appraisal may demonstrate you've reached 20% equity faster. For FHA loans, MIP rules differ — if your down payment was less than 10%, you may pay MIP for the life of the loan.
How accurate are these mortgage calculations?
Our calculator uses standard mortgage amortization formulas and will give you a highly accurate estimate of principal and interest. Property tax and insurance estimates are based on your inputs — actual amounts will vary by location and policy. For the most accurate picture, get a Loan Estimate from lenders after applying. Lenders are legally required to honor those estimates within certain tolerances.