Our Research Methodology

This page explains how a guide on The Mortgage Guide Hub is researched, written and kept current. It also explains what our method cannot do, so you know how to use our guides well.

How we research a guide, step by step

Every guide follows the same process from idea to re-review:

1. Question research. We start with the questions real buyers ask, such as “What credit score do I need for an FHA loan?” or “Can I get a mortgage with an ITIN?” These questions shape the outline.
2. Official rules. We go to the official source for each program and read the current rule itself, not a summary of it.
3. Numbers with as-of dates. Every figure, such as a loan limit, fee or minimum credit score, is checked against its source and recorded with the month we checked it. If we cannot confirm a number, we leave it out and point you to the source.
4. Comparison tables. We put key rules side by side in tables, so you can compare programs at a glance.
5. Review. The editorial team checks each fact against the cited source, checks the plain-language rule and makes sure no claim goes beyond what the source says.
6. Publish. The guide goes live with its published, updated and reviewed dates and its list of sources.
7. Scheduled re-review. Every guide is reviewed at least every six months, and sooner when a program changes.

The sources we use

We use official sources first. These are the main source types behind our guides:

We link to these sources inside the guide and list them at the end with their publisher and as-of date. We do not cite lender, broker, news or comparison websites as sources.

How we build examples

Examples help, but they can also mislead if they look like a promise. So every worked example on the site:

• is clearly labelled as hypothetical
• uses round numbers, such as a $300,000 home or a $5,000 monthly income
• shows each step of the math
• is based on the official rule cited in the guide

Your real costs will depend on your lender, your credit, your location and the market on the day you lock a rate.

What we do not do

To keep our guides focused on facts, we do not:

• run lender rate surveys or publish daily rate tables
• rank lenders or name a “best” lender
• accept payment to include or rank any product
• interview lenders and present their views as fact
• publish reader reviews, testimonials or our own statistics

Limits of our method

Our method has real limits, and you should know them:

• Rules change. A figure can change after the date we checked it. Always check the as-of date and the linked source.
• Lenders add their own rules. Program minimums are not the whole story. Many lenders add stricter requirements, often called “overlays.”
• We cannot see your situation. Our guides describe general rules. Your income, credit, immigration status and location can change the answer.
• Local programs vary. State and local down payment assistance programs change often, and we cannot list them all.

For advice about your own situation, talk to a licensed loan officer or a HUD-approved housing counselor. Our disclaimer has more detail.

How this connects to our other policies

Our editorial policy covers independence, translations and AI assistance. Our corrections page explains how we fix errors. If you think a guide is wrong or out of date, please contact us.