MortgageCompass Editorial Team 
Last reviewed: October 2026 · By the MortgageCompass Editorial Team · How we research You do not need 20% down to buy a home in the US. Conventional loans start at 3%, FHA loans at 3.5%, and VA and USDA loans can need nothing down. In practice, the median first-time buyer put down 10% and
Last reviewed: October 2026 · By the MortgageCompass Editorial Team · How we research A VA loan is a mortgage backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for eligible service members, veterans and some surviving spouses. Because the VA guarantees part of the loan, lenders can offer it with no down payment and no
Last reviewed: October 2026 · By the MortgageCompass Editorial Team · How we research To get an FHA loan in 2026 you generally need a credit score of at least 580 with a 3.5% down payment, or 500 to 579 with 10% down, a total debt-to-income ratio around 43% or lower, steady income and a
Last reviewed: October 2026 · By the MortgageCompass Editorial Team · How we research There is no single best mortgage lender in the US. The same borrower can be offered noticeably different rates and fees by different lenders on the same day, so the best lender for you is the one that gives you the
Last reviewed: October 2026 · By the MortgageCompass Editorial Team · How we research Cap rate is one of the first numbers property investors learn, and one of the most misused. Instead of a lecture, this guide answers the questions new investors actually ask, in the order they usually ask them. Halfway through, you can
Last reviewed: October 16, 2026 · By the MortgageCompass Editorial Team · How we research Refinancing is worth it when the money you save, after closing costs, is greater than what you would pay by keeping your current loan over the years you expect to stay. With the average 30-year rate at 7.40% in mid-October