Editorial Policy
The standards behind every guide, calculator, and number on this site.
Cal says: Trust isn't a banner — it's a process. Here's exactly how we write, check, and update what you read.
Every article on FreeMortgageCalc is written and edited by our in-house editorial team — people who have personally navigated the U.S. home-buying process, often multiple times across multiple states. Our editors collectively bring experience with conventional, FHA, VA, and jumbo financing, refinances, condo and townhome purchases, and the full closing process from offer to keys.
We are not licensed mortgage professionals or financial advisors. Our content is general consumer education, not personalized advice. For loan-specific questions, we always recommend consulting a licensed loan officer or HUD-approved housing counselor.
- Topic selection. We start with real questions from readers, search trends, and gaps in the existing internet conversation about mortgages.
- Research. Every claim about rules, thresholds, or rates is grounded in primary sources — CFPB, HUD, FHA, FHFA, IRS, FRED, or peer-reviewed industry data.
- Drafting. Articles are written in plain English with worked examples and real numbers. The "grandmother test" applies: if a non-expert can't follow it, it gets rewritten.
- Editorial review. A second editor reviews for accuracy, clarity, and tone before publication.
- Publication and indexing. Pages are indexed in our sitemap and cross-linked from related guides.
Mortgage rules change. We re-review every guide at least annually and immediately when:
- The FHFA updates conforming loan limits (typically each November)
- FHA changes MIP rates or LTV rules
- The CFPB issues new disclosure requirements
- A reader points out something stale or wrong
We do not update specific interest-rate quotes daily — those move every minute and any number we publish would be out of date by the time you read it. For live rates, always check at least three lenders directly.
When we get something wrong, we fix it. Substantive errors — anything that could affect a financial decision — are corrected as soon as we verify the issue and we add a brief note explaining what changed. Minor typos and grammar are corrected silently.
If you spot an error, please email contact@freemortgagecalc.net. We genuinely act on every report.
FreeMortgageCalc is funded entirely by display advertising (Google AdSense). We do not:
- Sell leads to mortgage brokers, lenders, or real estate agents
- Take affiliate commissions for recommending specific lenders or products
- Accept paid placement, sponsored articles, or "expert quotes" in exchange for money
- Allow advertisers to influence the content of our guides
Display ads are served by Google's network and are clearly distinguishable from editorial content. They have no effect on what we write or how we write it.
Questions, corrections, sources, or topic suggestions: contact@freemortgagecalc.net
FreeMortgageCalc
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Phoenix, AZ 85016
See also: Calculator Methodology · About Us · Privacy Policy