Editorial standards

Our published content is written and reviewed against the following standards:

• Primary sources. Substantive claims cite FHFA, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, CFPB, HUD/FHA, VA, or NMLS Consumer Access rather than secondary write-ups.
• Qualified language. We use "may," "often," and "depends on" where agency, program, occupancy, property, or borrower circumstances can change the answer.
• Transparent calculators. Every calculator shows its formula, its assumptions, its limitations, and its last-reviewed status.
• No fabricated authority. Author, reviewer, review dates, statistics, awards, and testimonials are either verified or absent — never invented.
• People first. We do not publish thin programmatic pages, keyword-stuffed copy, hidden text, or doorway pages.
• Not a rate quote. Content is educational and does not constitute an application, approval, preapproval, underwriting decision, rate quote, rate lock, or commitment to lend.

Review cadence

Guides display a last-reviewed date. When agency guidelines, loan limits, or program rules change materially, affected guides are re-reviewed and updated.