Marcus Webb
Mortgage Editor
NMLS Licensed (TX #847291)
38 Articles Published
About Marcus
I spent 9 years originating mortgages in the Austin area before burning out on sales quotas. Moved to writing because I got tired of watching people sign documents they didn't understand. Now I explain the stuff loan officers don't have time (or incentive) to explain.
Areas of Expertise
Experience
Started at a small mortgage broker in 2012, moved to a credit union in 2018. Left the industry in 2022 to focus on education. Still keep my license active.
Articles by Marcus
FHA Loans Explained: Everything First-Time Buyers Need to Know
FHA loans require only 3.5% down and accept credit scores as low as 580. Learn how FHA loans work, their pros and cons, and whether one is right for you.
Read Article →VA Loans Explained: The Ultimate Guide for Veterans and Military
VA loans offer 0% down, no PMI, and competitive rates for eligible veterans. Discover how to maximize this powerful benefit and achieve homeownership.
Read Article →ARM Mortgages: When Adjustable Rates Make Sense
ARMs offer lower initial rates than fixed mortgages but carry adjustment risk. Learn how 5/1, 7/1, and 10/1 ARMs work and when they save money.
Read Article →Green Energy Home Loans: Financing Solar and Efficiency
Special financing programs help homeowners install solar panels and energy-efficient upgrades. Learn about FHA PowerSaver, PACE loans, and solar financing.
Read Article →USDA Rural Housing Loans: Zero Down in Eligible Areas
USDA loans offer 0% down financing for homes in eligible rural and suburban areas. Learn income limits, property requirements, and how to qualify.
Read Article →Bridge Loans: Temporary Financing for Home Transitions
Bridge loans provide short-term financing when buying a new home before selling your current one. Learn costs, risks, and alternatives.
Read Article →Loan Modification Programs: Avoiding Foreclosure
Facing mortgage default? Loan modifications can reduce payments and save your home. Learn eligibility, process, and success strategies.
Read Article →HELOC vs Home Equity Loan: Choosing the Right Option
Home equity lines of credit and home equity loans both tap your equity but work differently. Learn which option fits your needs and current rates.
Read Article →Mortgage Rates Today: Current Rates for 30-Year, 15-Year & ARM
Today's mortgage rates, what's driving them in 2026, and how to secure the best rate for your situation. Current 30-year fixed averages 6.65% per Freddie Mac.
Read Article →Current Mortgage Rates by State: Compare Today's Best Rates
Current mortgage rates average 6.53% nationally for a 30-year fixed loan and 5.87% for a 15-year fixed loan (Freddie Mac PMMS, May 28, 2026). Use state pages for local context, then compare written Loan Estimates.
Read Article →Best Home Loan Lenders & Banks 2026: Loan Estimate Proof
Compare mortgage banks and lenders by May 28 rate context, Loan Estimate APR, Section A fees, lender credits, closing timeline, approval path and NMLS checks.
Read Article →30-Year Mortgage Rates Today: Historical Trends & Forecast
The 30-year fixed mortgage averaged 6.22% in March 2026 — up from pandemic lows but near the long-run historical average. Here's what's driving rates and how to get the best deal.
Read Article →How to Estimate Your Mortgage Payment Before You Apply
Your monthly mortgage payment is more than principal and interest. Learn how to calculate all 4-5 components of PITI so there are no surprises at closing.
Read Article →Interest Rates Today: Mortgage, Auto & Personal Loan Rates
Current interest rates snapshot: 30-year fixed mortgages at 6.38%, auto loans averaging 6.37% for new cars, personal loans at 12.27%. See what's driving rates and how to get the best deal.
Read Article →Best Mortgage Rates 2026: 6.53% PMMS + Loan Estimate Grid
Best mortgage rates 2026 guide: current 6.53% Freddie Mac 30-year benchmark, MBA points context, same-day Loan Estimate comparison grid, APR, discount points, lender credits, lock timing, and lowest total-cost 30-year fixed mortgage.
Read Article →Refinance Rates Today: 6.53% PMMS + Best Refi Deal Checklist
Current refinance-rate planning starts with Freddie Mac's 6.53% May 28, 2026 PMMS benchmark. Compare APR, points, lender credits, fees, lock period, and break-even before choosing a refi offer.
Read Article →Mortgage Pre-Approval: What It Is, How to Get One & Why It Matters
Pre-approval and pre-qualification aren't the same — and sellers know the difference. Here's exactly what lenders check, what documents you need, and how to get a pre-approval that holds up through closing.
Read Article →First-Time Home Buyer Programs 2026: Every Grant & Assistance Available
The 20% down payment myth is keeping millions of Americans out of homeownership. Here's every first-time buyer program, grant, and assistance option available in 2026 — with real eligibility numbers.
Read Article →Housing Market Forecast 2026: Prices, Inventory & Predictions
NAR forecasts a 14% jump in home sales. J.P. Morgan says prices go nowhere. Zillow says +1.2%. Tariffs threaten to cut 450,000 homes from the pipeline. Here's how to read the conflicting data.
Read Article →Daily Mortgage Rates: Track Rate Changes Every Day
The 30-year fixed averaged 6.37% on April 9, 2026 — then dropped 20 basis points in a single day. Here's how daily mortgage rates work, what moves them, and how to lock at the right time.
Read Article →Mortgage Rate Forecast 2026-2027: Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, MBA
Latest 2026-2027 mortgage rate forecast using Freddie Mac PMMS at 6.51%, Fannie Mae's May 2026 housing forecast at 6.3% for late 2026, MBA weekly data at 6.56%, and 10-year Treasury yield lock signals.
Read Article →Jumbo Loans: Limits, Rates & Requirements in 2026
The 2026 conforming loan limit is $832,750. If you're borrowing above that threshold, here's what jumbo loan requirements, rates, and lender standards actually look like.
Read Article →Physician Mortgage Loans: Zero Down for Doctors in 2026
Physician mortgage loans offer zero down, no PMI, and favorable student loan treatment for doctors and residents. Here's the complete guide for 2026.
Read Article →Rent vs Buy Calculator: Should You Buy or Keep Renting?
Rent vs buy math in 2026 depends on your stay horizon, 6.51% PMMS rate context, rent inflation, taxes, insurance, maintenance, selling costs, and down-payment opportunity cost.
Read Article →Down Payment Assistance Programs 2026: Grants by State
There are 2,619 down payment assistance programs in the U.S. — and most eligible buyers don't know they exist. Here's how they work, what they offer, and how to qualify.
Read Article →HELOC Rates 2026: Current Rates & Best Lenders Compared
The average HELOC rate is 7.07% as of April 2026 — a three-year low. Here's how HELOC rates are priced, where to find the best lenders, and when a HELOC actually makes sense.
Read Article →Homeowners Insurance Cost 2026: Average Premiums by State
Homeowners insurance averages $2,728/year nationally — but Florida homeowners pay $7,136 while Hawaii pays just $659. Here's what drives the gap and how to cut your premium.
Read Article →What Credit Score Do You Need to Buy a House in 2026?
You don't need a 740 credit score to buy a home. Minimum requirements start at 500-580 depending on loan type — but your score dramatically affects your rate and total interest paid.
Read Article →Mortgage Rate Lock: When to Lock, How Long & Float-Down Options
A rate lock protects you from rising rates during your purchase — but choose the wrong period and it expires before you close. Learn exactly when to lock, how long to lock, and whether a float-down option makes financial sense.
Read Article →Fixed Rate vs ARM: Which Mortgage Type Is Right for You?
Fixed-rate mortgages offer payment certainty; ARMs offer a lower initial rate. In 2026, the spread between them has narrowed — here's exactly how to choose based on your timeline, budget, and risk tolerance.
Read Article →How to Pay Off Your Mortgage Faster: 7 Proven Strategies
Paying off your mortgage early can save six figures in interest. Learn 7 evidence-backed strategies — from biweekly payments to lump-sum principal hits — and when each one makes the most financial sense.
Read Article →FHA vs. Conventional Loan: Which Is Better for You?
FHA loans require just 3.5% down with a 580 credit score, while conventional loans offer PMI that eventually cancels. Here's how to calculate which costs less for your situation.
Read Article →PITI Calculator: Principal, Interest, Taxes & Insurance Payment
Your advertised mortgage payment is just the start — PITI adds taxes and insurance and can run 25–40% higher. Learn how to calculate your true monthly housing cost before you fall in love with a home.
Read Article →How to Get the Best Mortgage Rate: 10 Tips That Work
On a $350,000 mortgage, a 1% rate difference costs over $70,000 over 30 years. These 10 tactics — from credit optimization to lender shopping — can meaningfully lower your rate.
Read Article →Cash-Out Refinance Requirements: Credit, Equity & Income
What does it actually take to qualify for a cash-out refinance? LTV limits, credit score thresholds, DTI caps, and seasoning rules — explained with real numbers.
Read Article →How Much Mortgage on $100K Salary? Payment Breakdown
On a $100K salary, the 28% rule caps your housing payment at $2,333/month. At May 21, 2026's 6.51% PMMS benchmark, debt load, down payment, taxes, and insurance change the answer fast.
Read Article →Home Equity Loan vs Cash-Out Refi: Which Is Better?
You have $200,000 in home equity and need $80,000. Should you tap it with a home equity loan or a cash-out refinance? The answer depends entirely on your existing mortgage rate.
Read Article →ARM Mortgage Explained: Adjustable Rate Pros, Cons & Risks
ARM rates run 0.5–1.25% below 30-year fixed rates — but your payment can rise significantly after the initial period. Here’s how adjustable-rate mortgages actually work, who benefits, and the cap structures that limit your exposure.
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