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The articles below are built to save you time and money. Comparisons show you exactly what a rate difference or mortgage type switch is worth in dollars. Scenarios let you stress-test prepayments, refinances, and ARM paths before you commit. Guides walk you through calculator features and mortgage fundamentals so every input you make is intentional. Every piece links back to a live calculator state you can open, review, and edit yourself.

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Comparisons

Head-to-head decisions: fixed vs variable, FHA vs conventional, biweekly vs monthly, and how to shop offers fairly in the calculator.

Scenarios

What extra payments, refis, or ARM paths do to your balance and interest. Open a pre-built scenario and tweak it in the tool.

Guides

Stage-of-life and educational primers for first-time buyers, budgeting (PITI, PMI), and amortization basics in Canada and the US.

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Comparisons

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Comparison

Variable rate mortgage in Canada: VRM vs ARM and trigger rate risk

On a $450,000 loan at prime minus 0.75%, VRM payoff stretches to 548 months (45.7 yr) after rate rises while ARM payments jump $317/mo at the first step.

Updated May 31, 2026

Comparison

USDA vs FHA loan: which zero-down option costs less and who qualifies

On $300k at 6.50%: USDA needs $0 down vs FHA's $10,500. Monthly costs differ by $7; over 30 years the programs are a $224 wash - cash at closing is the decision.

Updated May 29, 2026

Comparison

15-Year vs 30-Year Mortgage: Which Saves You More?

A $400,000 loan at 6.50% costs $227,197 total interest on a 15-year term versus $510,178 on 30 years, but the monthly payment is $956 higher. Here is how to decide which term fits your budget.

Updated May 12, 2026

ComparisonFrom Reddit

Bi-weekly vs principal prepay: Reddit US modeled

$400,000 loan at 6.75% modeled: accelerated bi-weekly trims about $1,306 lifetime interest versus $216/mo principal adds; both beat baseline monthly by over $126,000.

Updated Apr 30, 2026

Scenarios

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Scenario

Pay off your mortgage early: 3 US strategies compared

On a $380k loan at 6.50%, a $20K lump sum, $300/mo extra, or $200/mo bi-weekly equivalent save $101k-$147k in interest.

Updated May 28, 2026

ScenarioFrom Reddit

How mortgage prepayment works: $10K extra on a $100K loan

A $10,000 one-time payment on a $100,000 loan at 6% skips roughly 80 payments on the amortization table and saves about $38,125 in interest.

Updated May 15, 2026

Scenario

Canadian renewal shock: modeling a 3.49% to 6.25% jump

A $416k Ontario mortgage locked at 3.49% renews at 6.25%: payment jumps $531/mo (+26%) and lifetime interest rises by $127k over the remaining 20 years.

Updated Apr 20, 2026

Scenario

Mortgage Calculator with Extra Payments: How Much Can You Save?

On a $320k US loan at 6.5%, adding $250/mo cuts total interest by about $123k and pays off 93 months sooner.

Updated Apr 9, 2026

Guides

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Guide

GDS and TDS in Canada: how lenders calculate what you can borrow

On $110,000 household income, a $2,800/mo mortgage payment yields 36% GDS; add $750/mo in other debt and TDS hits 44.2%, just over the 44% cap.

Updated Jun 3, 2026

Guide

What does a $400k mortgage cost? Monthly payment by rate

At 6.50% over 30 years, a $400,000 loan runs $2,528/month P&I and $510,178 in total interest. Rate tables from 5.50% to 7.50% for 30- and 15-year terms.

Updated Jun 3, 2026

Guide

What does a $500k mortgage cost? Monthly payment by rate

At 6.50% over 30 years, a $500,000 loan runs $3,160/month P&I and $637,722 in total interest. Rate tables from 5.50% to 7.50% for 30- and 15-year terms.

Updated Jun 3, 2026

Guide

US mortgage DTI ratio: limits and how to calculate

On $90k income with $670/mo debt, 28/36 caps buying power at $296k; at 28/45 the front-end limit takes over at $306k.

Updated May 26, 2026

Most recent articles

Guide

GDS and TDS in Canada: how lenders calculate what you can borrow

On $110,000 household income, a $2,800/mo mortgage payment yields 36% GDS; add $750/mo in other debt and TDS hits 44.2%, just over the 44% cap.

Updated Jun 3, 2026

Guide

What does a $400k mortgage cost? Monthly payment by rate

At 6.50% over 30 years, a $400,000 loan runs $2,528/month P&I and $510,178 in total interest. Rate tables from 5.50% to 7.50% for 30- and 15-year terms.

Updated Jun 3, 2026

Guide

What does a $500k mortgage cost? Monthly payment by rate

At 6.50% over 30 years, a $500,000 loan runs $3,160/month P&I and $637,722 in total interest. Rate tables from 5.50% to 7.50% for 30- and 15-year terms.

Updated Jun 3, 2026

Comparison

Variable rate mortgage in Canada: VRM vs ARM and trigger rate risk

On a $450,000 loan at prime minus 0.75%, VRM payoff stretches to 548 months (45.7 yr) after rate rises while ARM payments jump $317/mo at the first step.

Updated May 31, 2026

Comparison

USDA vs FHA loan: which zero-down option costs less and who qualifies

On $300k at 6.50%: USDA needs $0 down vs FHA's $10,500. Monthly costs differ by $7; over 30 years the programs are a $224 wash - cash at closing is the decision.

Updated May 29, 2026

Scenario

Pay off your mortgage early: 3 US strategies compared

On a $380k loan at 6.50%, a $20K lump sum, $300/mo extra, or $200/mo bi-weekly equivalent save $101k-$147k in interest.

Updated May 28, 2026

Guide

US mortgage DTI ratio: limits and how to calculate

On $90k income with $670/mo debt, 28/36 caps buying power at $296k; at 28/45 the front-end limit takes over at $306k.

Updated May 26, 2026

Guide

Canadian mortgage interest: semi-annual compounding explained

On a $500k loan at 5% over 25 years, semi-annual compounding lowers the monthly payment by about $15 versus US monthly math - roughly $4,500 less interest total.

Updated May 25, 2026

Guide

Canadian stress test: the rate lenders use to qualify you

On a $120k income and a 5.10% contract rate, the stress test qualifying rate is 7.10%, cutting maximum borrowing by roughly 17%.

Updated May 24, 2026

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