Our standard
Every page should let a reader check every number. We publish only figures we can trace to an official or primary source, we show the date each one applies to, and we would rather leave a gap than fill it with a guess. We never invent quotes, reviews, ratings, testimonials, people or offers.
How pages are researched
Start from the question
Each page answers the questions people actually search for, such as “how much house can I afford” or “is refinancing worth it”.
Collect official figures
We go to the agency that sets or measures the number: FHFA for conforming loan limits, HUD for FHA limits and premiums, the CFPB for consumer rules, Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey for average rates, the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey for home values, taxes and incomes, Fannie Mae’s Selling Guide for underwriting limits, and state housing finance agencies for local programs.
Record source and date
Each figure goes into our facts table with its source link and as-of date. Pages read from that table, so a single update corrects every page that uses the number.
Show the maths
Worked examples are calculated from those facts when the page loads, using the same formulas as our calculators.
Review before publishing
A second pass checks every figure against its source, every link, and that the page answers the question in its first paragraph.
Writing tools
We use software to help draft and check pages, including AI writing assistants. Software never supplies figures: every number on the site comes from the facts table described above, and every page is reviewed against its sources before it goes live.
How often figures are updated
| Figure | Source | Update cycle |
|---|---|---|
| Average mortgage rates | Freddie Mac PMMS | Automatically each week |
| Conforming loan limits | FHFA | Each year when announced (late November) |
| FHA loan limits | HUD | Each year when announced |
| Home values, taxes, incomes | US Census Bureau ACS | Each year when released |
| State programs | State housing finance agencies | At least every 180 days |
| Everything else | Cited on the page | Reviewed at least every 180 days |
The “Last reviewed” date on each page shows when it was last checked in full.
Corrections
If you find an error, tell us through the contact page. We check the source, fix the fact in our table so every affected page updates, and change the page’s reviewed date.
Independence
Advertising, if shown, is sold through ad networks and is labelled “Advertisement”. Advertisers do not see content before publication and cannot request changes. We do not accept payment for coverage or placement. See the advertising disclosure.
Bylines
Pages are credited to the MortgageMath US Editorial team rather than to individual names. Our content is general information, not personal financial, tax or legal advice — see the disclaimer.