Mortgage Resources
Most Popular Mortgage Articles
Mortgage Terms: Glossary and Definitions for Mortgage Terminology
A glossary of common terms used in the mortgage loan or home buying process.
Infographic: How to Apply for a Mortgage
The mortgage application process can be overwhelming. Use this guide to simplify the application process so you can finance with confidence.
How to Get the Best Mortgage Rates
For homeowners, a common financial goal is to pay off the mortgage as soon as possible and avoid paying extra interest. The lower the interest rates, the less you will owe down the line. That’s why it’s important to find a loan with the lowest possible interest rates, usually represented as annual percentage rate (APR), and other fees associated with the lending process. Use this guide to help you find the best mortgage rates to save money over time.
How Much House Can I Afford in Colorado?
One of the biggest parts of a person’s budget is their housing expense. If you’re looking to purchase a home, read this article to learn more about how home affordability has changed and what you can do to make things more affordable and fit your budget.
Why Are Mortgage Rates So High?
If you are mortgage shopping this year, you are feeling the rate sticker shock. The average 30-year fixed rate sits around 7 percent, more than double the record lows of 2021 (Mortgage News Daily, 2025). Why are mortgage rates so high today? In short, mortgage rates are higher because the bond market — where mortgage prices are set — adjusted the cost of money. This shift came after the Federal Reserve responded to a period of high inflation. A careful look at policy, prices, and growth helps explain the surge in rates and the impact of mortgage rates on housing in 2025 and beyond.
Buying a House in a Hot Market
Buying a home in a seller’s market can be challenging. While housing market conditions may be less than ideal, there are still benefits to buying a property versus renting. Use these tips to stay ahead of the competition and land the house you’ve always wanted.
Getting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage Loan: What You Need to Know
Are you ready to house hunt, but are wondering "How much mortgage can I afford?" Getting pre-approved for a mortgage can show sellers that you are a serious prospect and give you a leg up on other buyers who jump the gun by visiting open houses without even knowing their budget. In this market, where sellers are getting many offers including cash offers, a pre-approval can help you stand out as a buyer. When you have a documented pre-approval, the seller knows you will be able to get the funding you are offering for the home and you’ll be able to close more quickly and reliably.
5 Things to Avoid After You Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage
Achieving a pre-approval for a home loan marks a significant milestone. It signifies that your journey to homeownership is within grasp. More importantly, it signals to sellers that you’re a serious buyer backed by a financial institution. However, what you do after you get pre-approved for a mortgage can significantly impact the final approval of your loan. Therefore, understanding what not to do after preapproval for a mortgage is crucial.
Buying a Home for the First Time? How to Navigate Your Purchase
Nothing could be more exciting than buying your first home! After years of saving and renting, it’s finally time to be the master of your own domain. But buying a home can be much more complicated than you might realize. The asking price of the home is just one piece of the equation as you navigate this all-too-important purchase. From shopping for a mortgage to budgeting for unexpected costs, we’ll walk you through every step of the process.
Home Buying Process: Ten Major Steps to Buying a House
The decision to buy a home can be both exciting and terrifying all at the same time. Homeownership is what many of us strive for—to be able to have a home that we can call our own, as well as a real estate asset we can use to build our personal wealth. It is a big step to take. At the same time, though, the process of buying a house can be overwhelming. Understanding the step-by-step process in purchasing a home can help make the home-buying experience a more positive one for you and your family and can help reduce the additional stress that comes with big purchases in life.
Buying a Fixer-Upper Home: Know the Pros and Cons
If you’re looking to save money when buying a home, you might consider buying a fixer-upper home. Some individuals choose to renovate an older home or one that needs repairs and flip it to make a profit, but are these homes really worth your money? Take a look at the pros and cons of buying a fixer-upper home
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Mortgage and Home Buying Calculators
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Home loan calculator: Mortgage loan calculator for buying a home
The primary factors to consider when determining how much you can afford to spend on a home include your income and monthly debt obligations (car payments, student loans, credit cards, etc.), how much money you have for a down payment and your specific financial goals. Various loan programs are available, offering a range of options for different situations.
Ultimately, the best way to understand what is right for you is to talk to a licensed loan officer who can help you explore and understand what is right for you.
If you are pre-approved for a mortgage loan, use the Ent Mortgage Payment Calculator to estimate your monthly mortgage payment to figure out how much you need to pay every month. Your monthly payment goes towards the principal balance on your mortgage and the interest accrued during the last billing period. Pay your mortgage on time every month to avoid compound interest and late fees. Once you pay off the mortgage in full after a certain number of years, you will own the home outright.
Enter the following information to get started:
Mortgage proceeds: Home sale proceeds calculator
One of the most important questions consumers ask themselves is, “How much money will the sale of my home yield?” This is largely dependent on two things: The amount you still owe on the home and what you will have to pay your realtor for selling the home. If you have a second mortgage or a home equity loan on the property, you will have to pay that off when you sell the home. When you sell a home, you will also have to pay interest on your outstanding mortgage balance from the date of your last payment until the time of the sale. You are also liable for property taxes up to the day you sell the home. At times, sellers have additional expenses. Local governments will often require that you pay a transfer tax when the home is sold. Incidental closing costs may also nibble at your proceeds.
Home Value Estimator
Use this calculator and compare home values in your neighborhood and discover big savings with Ent Credit Union.
Rent vs buy calculator: Should I rent or buy a home?
Deciding whether to rent or buy a piece of property is one of the biggest financial decisions anyone can make. Consider several factors when making this decision. Your decision to rent or buy a home may depend on how fast prices and rents increase and how long you stay in your home. In certain circumstances, renting rather than buying may be more advantageous. It’s best to compare the cost of renting to the cost of buying a home by adding up all the required expenses for each option.
You’ll need to factor in the cost of rent, a security deposit and expected rent increases versus all the expenses that go into buying a home, including your monthly mortgage payment, purchase price of the home, property value appreciation, the interest rate you will pay on your loan, your marginal tax rate and the yield you might receive on savings. When looking at these factors, consider each option's present and potential future value. The better financial choice is the one with the lower present value and the best long-term potential.
Use our Rent vs. buy calculator to compare the cost of renting and buying in your area based on various factors. The results will show you how much you will pay over the years to own a piece of property compared to how much you will have to spend over the same period to rent a home or apartment. Enter the following information to see your results:
Mortgage comparison calculator: Home loan comparison calculator
When you purchase a home, the mortgage and the options you choose will have significant impacts on the cost of your home. Interest charges, origination fees, fees paid for a particular interest rate (formerly referred to as “points”) and settlement costs will often have the most impact. Of these, the interest rate you pay will matter most.
Adjustable Rate Mortgage Calculator: ARM Mortgage Payment Estimator
Adjustable rate mortgages typically offer home buyers the advantage of having a lower mortgage down payment during the initial period of the mortgage. Adjustable rate mortgages are generally offered on a 1, 3, 5 or 7-year basis. Once the initial period expires, the mortgage rate will reset at then current interest rate levels. Depending on the direction loan rates are taking, these resets can result in higher or lower monthly payments to the borrower. This adjustable rate mortgage analyzer will help you understand the implication of your adjustable rate terms by showing what your monthly payment will be under different scenarios.
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