2026 Small-Loan Appraisal Exemption: What the Threshold Means
2026 rule background: understand the narrow small-loan appraisal exemption and why it does not promise an appraisal-free refinance.
Read our summary →CALCULATE. COMPARE. KEEP WATCH.
Could your mortgage
cost less?
See how refinancing could change your monthly payment and total costs. Then choose the payment savings you want to watch for.
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Set a target based on your numbers.
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CHOOSE YOUR REFINANCE GOAL
What do you want to compare?
Lower my payment or interest costCompare one current fixed mortgage with one replacement mortgage.Borrow cash from my homeCompare a larger refinance with keeping the first mortgage and adding a fixed second loan.Combine my first and second mortgagesCompare keeping two fixed loans with replacing both balances using one mortgage.
Different loan structures need different calculators so their costs and risks are not mixed together.
EXPLORE YOUR NUMBERS
01 / YOUR SCENARIO
Start with your numbers.
Fixed-rate, fully amortizing loans only. Enter principal and interest, excluding escrow.
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02 / THE COMPARISON
The whole picture,
before the next step.
Enter your assumptions to compare payments and modeled costs. There is no live rate feed or eligibility assessment here.
Payment change
+
Closing costs and remaining debt
+
Your time horizon
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Closing costs and remaining debt
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Your time horizon
PAY OFF SOONER
What could an extra $100 a month do?
See the interest you could avoid and how much sooner you could finish paying your mortgage.
Try the Extra Payment Calculator →RENT OR BUY
Compare the monthly cost and the longer view.
Include taxes, insurance, repairs and selling fees before comparing renting with buying.
Try the Rent vs. Buy Calculator →15 YEARS OR 30 YEARS
Compare the monthly bill with the interest cost.
See what each fixed-rate term could cost, how soon you finish, and what you would still owe if you move sooner.
Compare 15-Year and 30-Year Mortgages →MORTGAGE NEWS
What changed—and why it matters.
Curated mortgage headlines with original context from MyLoanAlert.
September Fed Decision: What Homeowners Should Understand
The September 16 policy decision changed the federal funds target range. That range is not a homeowner mortgage offer.
Read our summary →Fed Projections Explain Expectations, Not Promised Mortgage Rates
September projections describe individual economic and policy expectations. They do not guarantee a future refinance rate.
Read our summary →ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Clear guidance for your next decision.
Original explanations of refinancing, costs, rates and mortgage tradeoffs.
Fixed vs. Adjustable Mortgage: Could Your Payment Rise?
A smaller starting payment can change later. Compare fixed and adjustable mortgages, understand rate caps, and test what rising rates could mean for your budget.
Read the article →Which Refinance Costs Belong in Your Comparison?
Separate real refinance fees from escrow deposits, then split the fees into amounts paid now and amounts added to the new loan.
Read the article →What Happens When You Restart a 30-Year Mortgage?
A new 30-year term can lower the payment by spreading repayment out. Compare it with your current payoff schedule before judging the savings.
Read the article →ASK LOAN AI / COMING SOON
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