Mortgage Points Explained: Should You Pay to Lower Your Rate?

Jeffrey Hohman

Published on: 05/10/2026

Thinking about paying mortgage points to lower your interest rate? Learn exactly how discount points work, how to calculate your break-even timeline, when buying points makes financial sense, and when it doesn't — so you can make a confident, informed decision.

mortgage pointsrate buydowndiscount pointshome buyingmortgage tipsCalifornia home loans

California First-Time Homebuyer Programs in 2026: What You Need to Know About CalHFA

Jeffrey Hohman

Published on: 29/09/2026

California's CalHFA programs can help first-time homebuyers cover down payment and closing costs in 2026. Learn how MyHome, Dream For All, CalPLUS ZIP, and other state programs work — who qualifies, how much they offer, and how to apply.

08/24/2026

Jeffrey Hohman

Published on: 24/08/2026

Learn how much house you can afford in California in 2026. We break down income, debt-to-income ratio, down payment, interest rates, taxes, insurance, and other factors that determine your true home-buying power.