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Guides & answersMortgage learning center for Phoenix, Arizona
Plain-English answers to the questions buyers and homeowners actually ask—down payments, loan types, payments, refinancing, and the special cases that don't fit a one-size product page. Start with a topic below, run the numbers in our calculators, or book a call with Evan Cardenas.
NMLS #1463065 · Licensed in AZ, CA, CO
Where to start
Buying & first-time
First purchase, local programs, and how much house you can afford.
- First-time buyer guide
- Buy a home: the process
- Arizona homebuying guide
- Affordability calculator
- How much house can I afford?
- Down payment on a $300k house
- Is $10k enough to buy a house?
- First-time buyer programs in Arizona
- Questions to ask your lender
- Pre-qualification vs. pre-approval
- Closing costs in Arizona
- What disqualifies you for a mortgage
Payments & rates
15-year vs 30-year, ARMs, and monthly payment math.
- 15-year fixed
- 30-year fixed
- Adjustable-rate (ARM)
- Payment calculator
- Fixed vs. ARM
- The 3-3-3 and 28/36 rules
- Mortgage rate outlook
- Cut 10 years off a 30-year mortgage
Refinance & equity
Rate-and-term refinance, VA streamline, and tapping equity.
- Refinance guide
- VA IRRRL (streamline)
- HELOC & HELOAN
- Refinance break-even calculator
- Is refinancing worth it?
- Cost to refinance $300k
- Refinancing with less than 20% equity
Special situations
When the standard box doesn't fit—self-employed, condos, renovations, construction, reverse, and commercial.
- Non-QM
- Condo financing
- FHA 203(k) renovation
- One-time close construction
- Reverse mortgage
- Commercial
Articles & guides
Our full starter set of Q&A guides is live. Pick a question below, use the calculators above, or book a call and ask Evan directly.
- How much house can I afford on $50k / $70k / $100k? · related: affordability calculator
- Down payment on a $300k house
- Is $10k enough to buy a house?
- First-time buyer programs in Arizona · related: first-time buyers, local guide
- Questions to ask your lender
- The 3-3-3 and 28/36 rules
- Is refinancing worth it? (the 2% rule) · related: refinance, break-even calculator
- Cost to refinance $300k · related: refinance calculator
- Refinancing with less than 20% equity · related: refinance guide
- Mortgage rate outlook: what we can (and can't) predict · related: refinance
- Fixed vs. ARM · related: 30-year fixed, 15-year, ARM
- What disqualifies you for a mortgage · related: Non-QM
- How to cut 10 years off a 30-year mortgage · related: 15-year fixed
- Pre-qualification vs. pre-approval · related: buy a home
- Closing costs in Arizona · related: Arizona guide
Educational content only—not a loan offer or commitment to lend.
Learning Center FAQs
What is the Learning Center for?
It's a hub for plain-English mortgage education—buying, loan types, payments, refinance, and specialty situations. Use the topic cards to jump to existing guides and calculators. Longer Q&A articles from our content plan will land here as they're written.
Are these articles a substitute for talking to a loan officer?
No. Guides and calculators are educational estimates only. Your credit, income, down payment, and the property decide what you actually qualify for. Evan Cardenas can run real numbers after a short call or application.
Where should a first-time buyer start?
Start with the first-time buyer guide, skim the Arizona homebuying guide for local programs and closing-cost notes, then try the affordability calculator. When you're ready, apply or book a call.
How do I know if refinancing is worth it?
Compare your current rate and payment to today's options, then check months to break even (closing costs ÷ monthly savings). Use the refinance break-even calculator and the refinance guide. Rules of thumb (like a 2% rate drop) are starting points, not decisions—your timeline and equity matter more.
Educational answers only. Not a loan offer or commitment to lend. Eligibility depends on your situation and current guidelines. Rate and payment examples on this site are estimates and may require APR and assumptions under Reg Z when they become offers.
Have a question that isn't answered yet?
Run the numbers in our calculators, or book a call with Evan at (480) 334-7827.