Buyer Mortgage Guides
Start here if you’re buying a home. These guides cover the process, qualification, and the major buyer decisions you need to plan for.
Step-by-step from pre-approval to closing. First-Time Homebuyer
Programs, expectations, and a clear path to approval. First-Time Homebuyer Programs: Overview Guide
Loan options and assistance programs at a high level. Mortgage Pre-Approval Guide
What lenders review and how to prepare. VA Loan Eligibility Guide
Who qualifies for a VA loan, service requirements, COE basics, and common eligibility questions. Down Payment Options
Low down payment, gift funds, and assistance programs. Credit and Qualification
How credit, income, debt, and assets affect approval.
Buyer Decision Tools
Use these guides and comparison tools to evaluate monthly payments, cash-to-close, and which loan type fits your situation.
A decision framework without hype or forecasts. How Much House Can I Afford?
Budgeting based on income, debt, credit, and down payment. FHA Loan Requirements
Credit, down payment, DTI, occupancy, and property standards. FHA vs. Conventional Loans
Compare payment, insurance, and qualification tradeoffs. Mortgage Loan Types Comparison Chart
Side-by-side comparison of common mortgage loan types.
Investor Mortgage Guides
Investor loans are underwritten differently than owner-occupied mortgages. These guides cover cash-flow-based options and portfolio strategies.
Overview of financing for non-owner-occupied properties. DSCR Loans
Qualify using property cash flow instead of personal income. Rental Property Financing
Long-term financing for buy-and-hold rental strategies. Short-Term Rental Financing
Financing considerations for STR properties and cash flow analysis. BRRRR Financing Guide
How investors finance BRRRR from acquisition to long-term hold. Fix and Flip Loans
Short-term financing for renovation and resale projects. Portfolio Loans
Flexible financing for multiple properties and complex scenarios.
Rates & Costs Guides
These guides explain how mortgage rates work and how to understand the real cost of a loan beyond the interest rate.
General rate trends and a starting point for comparison. Interest Rates Explained
What drives rates, lock timing, and common myths. Closing Costs Explained
What closing costs include and how to plan for them. Mortgage Insurance Explained
PMI vs FHA MIP, when it applies, and how removal works. Loan Estimate vs Closing Disclosure
How to read them and what changes are normal.
Refinance Guides
If you already own a home, these guides help you evaluate whether refinancing is worth it and what options exist.
When refinancing makes sense and when it may not. Mortgage Refinance Guide
What refinancing is, how it works, and what to expect. Cash-Out Refinance Guide
How cash-out works and how to evaluate the tradeoffs. Rate and Term Refinance Guide
Lower your rate, change your term, or both—without taking cash out.
Advanced & Niche Guides
These guides address common “hard” scenarios, including self-employed income and non-traditional documentation.
Documentation expectations and approval strategies. Foreign National Mortgage Loans Explained
How financing can work for non-U.S. buyers. Bank Statement Loans Explained
Mortgage options using bank statements instead of tax returns. Non-QM Loans Explained
Flexible options for borrowers who don’t fit traditional guidelines.
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Want a Clear Mortgage Plan?
Tell us what you’re trying to do and we’ll point you to the right guide, the right program, and the right next step.
Disclosure: This page provides general information and is not a commitment to lend. Loan programs, rates, guidelines, and requirements vary by lender and are subject to change. Qualification depends on underwriting and complete documentation review.
NMLS: 80777
Licensed mortgage broker in Missouri, Kansas, and Louisiana.
Related mortgage resources
Helpful next-step pages
These related guides help borrowers compare the next practical financing question.
Featured Mortgage Guides
Last updated June 7, 2026. Reviewed for borrower education by 360 Mortgage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should borrowers use the mortgage guides?
Borrowers can use the mortgage guides to understand options, compare tradeoffs, prepare documents, and identify the right next conversation with a mortgage professional.
What documents should I prepare?
Most borrowers should be ready to discuss income, assets, debts, credit history, property details, loan purpose, and timing. Exact documentation depends on the loan program and underwriting review.
What is the next step?
The next step is to talk with 360 Mortgage so the team can review your goals, compare available options, and explain the clearest application path.