Editorial standards
What we promise about accuracy, sourcing, modelling and independence.
How we research
Every rule we describe is traced to a primary source: IRS publications and instructions, HUD and FHA mortgagee letters, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac selling guides, CFPB guidance, or the published survey data we cite by name.
Where a rule depends on a threshold or dollar limit, we quote the figure, name the tax year or effective date it applies to, and link the document it came from.
How we model numbers
Illustrations in our guides come from the same calculation engines that power the calculators on this site, not from hand-written estimates. Every example lists its purchase price, loan amount, rate, down payment, holding period and tax assumptions so you can reproduce it.
When an example changes because assumptions changed, we update the article and the review date together.
Review and updates
Articles carry a published date, a last-updated date and, where a reviewer has actually read the piece, a named review. We only display credentials that an administrator has verified.
Tax and program content is scheduled for review at least annually and whenever the underlying rules change. Rate-sensitive content is reviewed more often.
Independence and disclosure
We do not sell leads, we do not accept payment for favourable coverage, and we do not rank lenders. If any page ever contains an affiliate or sponsored relationship, that page will say so at the top.
Our guides are educational. They are not loan offers, and they are not tax, legal or investment advice. Confirm your own situation with a licensed loan officer and a tax professional.
Corrections
If you find a factual error or a calculation that does not reproduce, tell us and we will correct it and note the correction on the article.