How Retirees on Fixed Income Can Still Lock In a Low Mortgage Rate

With 30-year rates at 6.72%, retirees using asset depletion income and Social Security documentation can qualify for near-market mortgage rates without a paycheck.

With 30-year rates at 6.72%, retirees using asset depletion income and Social Security documentation can qualify for near-market mortgage rates without a paycheck.

Condotel loans can run 1–2 points above standard rates, while vacation homes add 0.50–0.75 points—gaps that cost tens of thousands over a 30-year term.

On a $300,000 home, a 15-year mortgage saves $100,000–$150,000 in interest—but monthly payments run 40–50% higher. Here's how to weigh the real trade-off.

FHA and VA loans from 2020–2022 carry rates as low as 2.5%–3.5% — nearly half today's 6.8% average. Here's how assuming a seller's mortgage actually works.

USDA rural mortgage rates are running 0.25%–0.50% below conventional 30-year rates in 2026, with zero down payment required. Here's how the numbers stack up.

Raise your FICO score from 620 to 740+ in 12–24 months and save over $200/month on your mortgage. Here's how divorced borrowers rebuild credit fast.

Divorce can push your mortgage rate up by 0.75% or more. Here's how your credit, income drop, and unresolved joint debts determine what lenders will charge you.

Adding a co-borrower with a credit score above 740 could cut your mortgage rate by 0.25%–0.75% — but lenders use the lower score, so the wrong partner can hurt you.

Mixed-use mortgage rates run 6.75%–9.50%, and properties with over 50% commercial space trigger stricter underwriting. Here's what that means for your purchase.

Learn about assets affect mortgage rate. Discover how your savings balance signals financial strength and can unlock better mortgage rate offers from lenders.