Homebuyer topics starting with M
13 guides, comparisons, calculators, and mortgage terms from The Homebuyer's Knowledge Center — written for people who have never bought a home.
- Manual Underwriting vs AUS: When a Human Reads Your FileGlossary6 min
- Medical collections and your mortgageGuide6 minThe 2022 credit-bureau changes largely removed medical collections from mortgage decisioning. Here's what's still counted — and what isn't.
- Military homebuying guideGuide6 minPCS, BAH, and using your entitlement.
- Minimum credit score for a VA loan (2026)Guide6 minThe VA sets no credit-score minimum. Lenders do — usually 580 or 620. Here's what actually matters on a VA file.
- Minimum credit score for an FHA loan (2026)Guide6 minThe published FHA floor is 500. The real-world overlay from most lenders is 620. Here's the truth about both.
- Mortgage Broker vs Bank: Who Actually Gets You the Better Deal?Glossary6 min
- Mortgage Calculator vs Readiness Assessment: Math vs DiagnosisGlossary6 min
- Mortgage funding: the moment the loan actually happensGuide5 minFunding is when the lender wires the loan money to escrow. Here's what happens on funding day — and why it isn't always the same day you sign.
- mortgage insurance (MI)Glossary1 mina monthly fee added when your down payment is small; it protects the lender if the loan is not repaid
- mortgage insurance premium (MIP)Glossary1 minthe FHA version of mortgage insurance — an upfront fee plus a monthly fee added to your payment
- Mortgage Payment CalculatorCalculator3 minFull PITI, not just principal and interest.
- Moving checklistGuide6 minWeek-by-week moving plan timed to your closing date.
- Moving checklist: what to do in the 30 days around closingGuide6 minUtilities, movers, address changes, and the costs nobody budgets for.