7 Mistakes First-Time Homebuyers Make (And How to Avoid Them)
First-time buyers lose thousands of dollars by making avoidable mistakes. Here are the seven most common ones and practical advice on how to sidestep each of them.
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Calculate your mortgage with zero sales calls
Free mortgage calculators built for first-time homebuyers. No sign-ups, no lead generation, no lender spam. Just honest numbers and clear education.
Free Mortgage Calculators
Each calculator shows you the full picture with educational context, not just a number.
Mortgage Payment
See your estimated monthly payment broken down into principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and PMI.
Calculate paymentAffordability
Find out how much house you can afford based on your income, debts, and monthly budget.
Check affordabilityDown Payment
Compare down payment options (3%, 5%, 10%, 20%) and see how each affects your PMI and monthly cost.
Explore optionsClosing Costs
Estimate escrow, title insurance, origination fees, and other closing-day costs by state.
Estimate costsAmortization Schedule
Visualize how your payments split between principal and interest over the full life of the loan.
View scheduleWhy we are different
Most mortgage calculators exist to collect your information and sell it to lenders. We do not.
No lead generation
We never collect your personal information to sell to mortgage lenders. No phone numbers, no email harvesting, no data brokering.
No spam calls or emails
Use our calculators and the only thing you leave with is knowledge. No 10 lender calls within the hour. No inbox full of rate quotes.
Education first
Every calculator includes educational context explaining what the numbers mean. We help you understand your mortgage, not just compute it.
Learn Before You Buy
Plain-language guides that explain the homebuying process without jargon or sales pressure.
First-Time Homebuyer Guide
A step-by-step walkthrough of the entire homebuying process, from checking your finances to closing day.
What Is PMI?
Private mortgage insurance explained: what it costs, when you need it, and strategies to eliminate it.
Closing Costs Explained
Understand the fees you pay on closing day, what is negotiable, and how to budget for the full amount.
Down Payment Strategies
Compare 3%, 5%, 10%, and 20% down payment options to find the right balance for your situation.
Latest Articles
Practical advice for first-time homebuyers, written without an agenda.
PMI Explained: What It Is, What It Costs, and How to Avoid It
Private mortgage insurance adds hundreds to your monthly payment but protects the lender, not you. Learn what PMI costs, when you need it, and the strategies to eliminate it.
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Mortgage 101: Everything First-Time Buyers Need to Know
A beginner-friendly guide to how mortgages work, the different types available, how interest rates affect your payment, and what the application process actually looks like.
Read article
Explore Guides for All 50 States
Property taxes, insurance costs, and down payment assistance programs vary dramatically by state. Find the data for where you plan to buy.
CA
California
Tax Rate
0.62%
Insurance
$1,200
Closing
2.00%
CO
Colorado
Tax Rate
0.49%
Insurance
$2,400
Closing
2.00%
FL
Florida
Tax Rate
0.80%
Insurance
$4,000
Closing
3.00%
IL
Illinois
Tax Rate
2.07%
Insurance
$1,800
Closing
3.00%
NY
New York
Tax Rate
1.40%
Insurance
$1,600
Closing
5.00%
TX
Texas
Tax Rate
1.60%
Insurance
$3,200
Closing
3.00%