Mortgage & Home-Buying Resources
Guides on rates, loan programs, refinancing, and buying in Clackamas County and the Portland metro - from Tu Phan, Fairway Independent Mortgage.
30-Year vs 15-Year Mortgage: Total Interest Compared
30-year vs 15-year mortgage compared on a $500K Oregon home: monthly payment, total interest, equity build, and when each term makes sense for buyers.
APR vs Interest Rate: What Your Mortgage Quote Means
APR vs interest rate on a mortgage quote: how they differ, what closing costs APR includes, and why the lower interest rate is not always the cheaper loan.
Buying a First Home in Oregon City With Low Down Payment
Buying a first home in Oregon City with low down payment is realistic. See how assistance programs stack with FHA at Oregon City's attainable prices.
Cash-Out Refinance Clackamas County: Funding Renovations
A cash-out refinance in Clackamas County turns home equity into renovation funds. How it works, who qualifies, and how to run the numbers with Tu Phan.
Down Payment Assistance in Clackamas County
Down payment assistance Clackamas County programs, income limits, and eligibility. OHCS, CDBG, Proud Ground, and local grants for first-time homebuyers.
Clackamas County Down Payment: What You Actually Need
The Clackamas County down payment most buyers need is 3 to 5 percent, not 20. See real dollar figures by loan program, plus zero-down VA and USDA options.
Clackamas First Time Buyer Checklist: A Step-by-Step Guide
A Clackamas first time buyer checklist from broker Tu Phan: credit, savings, pre-approval, local programs, and the steps to closing in Clackamas County, OR.
Clackamas Mortgage Rates: The Factors That Set Your Number
Clackamas mortgage rates come down to eight factors, from credit tier to loan size near the $832,750 limit. See what sets your number.
How to Compare Mortgage Rate Quotes Side by Side
Learn how to compare mortgage rate quotes side by side using APR, fees, and Loan Estimates. Tu Phan guides Clackamas County borrowers.
Credit Score Mortgage Clackamas: How It Shapes Options
The credit score mortgage Clackamas County buyers bring shapes which loan programs, down payment, and terms you qualify for, plus steps to strengthen it.
Credit Score and Mortgage Rates
Learn how your credit score shapes the mortgage rate you are quoted and what Clackamas County borrowers can do to strengthen theirs.
3%, 5%, 10%, 20% Down: Oregon Home Math Compared
Compare 3%, 5%, 10%, and 20% down on a $500K Oregon home. See loan amount, PMI, cash to close, and monthly payment side by side at each tier.
FHA Mortgage Rate Quote in Clackamas
Learn how FHA mortgage rate quotes work in Clackamas County, from mortgage insurance costs to credit score flexibility and next steps.
FHA Streamline Clackamas Refinance: How It Works
An FHA streamline Clackamas refinance lets FHA homeowners lower their rate with less paperwork and often no appraisal. Who qualifies, costs, and timing, with Tu Phan.
FHA vs Conventional in Clackamas County: How to Choose
FHA vs conventional in Clackamas County, explained for real buyers. Down payment, mortgage insurance, and which loan fits your situation, with Tu Phan.
FHA vs Conventional in Oregon: 5-Year Cost Compared
FHA vs conventional in Oregon side-by-side: monthly payment, mortgage insurance, total cost over 5 years, and which loan type ends up cheaper for buyers.
Financing a Home in Clackamas County: Your Complete Guide
Financing a home in Clackamas County, OR? Mortgage broker Tu Phan walks you through loan options, down payment paths, and the local steps from pre-approval to closing.
First-Time Buyer Mortgage Rate Quote
A step-by-step guide for first-time buyers requesting a mortgage rate quote in Clackamas County. Learn what to prepare and expect.
Happy Valley Housing Market Report: Prices and Buyer Outlook
The Happy Valley housing market in 2026, by the numbers: median prices, new construction trends, and what buyers in Clackamas County should expect.
Home Appraisal in Clackamas County: How to Prepare
How a home appraisal in Clackamas County works, what appraisers look at, how to prepare, and what to do if the value comes in low, from broker Tu Phan.
How Many Mortgage Rate Quotes Should You Get?
Find out how many mortgage rate quotes to request before choosing a lender. Tu Phan shares CFPB guidance for Clackamas County buyers.
How Much House Can I Afford in Oregon? A Math Guide
How much house can I afford in Oregon? Calculate your maximum purchase price using DTI, the 28/36 rule, income, and Oregon property tax and insurance estimates.
Improve Your Credit Score for a Mortgage: Clackamas County
Improve your credit score for a mortgage in Clackamas County with a step-by-step plan: what to pay down, what to leave alone, and when to apply.
Lake Oswego Housing Market Report: Jumbo Territory in 2026
The Lake Oswego housing market in 2026, by the numbers: median prices, jumbo loan territory, and what buyers in Clackamas County should expect.
Low Down Payment Options in Lake Oswego: The Real Math
Low down payment options in Lake Oswego at a high price point: what a down payment really costs, plus VA, low-down conventional, and gift-fund paths.
Milwaukie Housing Market Report: Orange Line Home Values
The Milwaukie housing market in 2026, by the numbers: median prices, how the MAX Orange Line shaped home values, and what buyers should expect.
Mortgage Buydown ROI: Is a 2-1 Buydown Worth the Cost?
Mortgage buydown ROI compared: is a 2-1 buydown actually worth the upfront cost? Real math on a $500K Oregon home with break-even and total savings figures.
Does a Mortgage Quote Hurt Your Credit?
Mortgage Rate Buydowns: 2-1, 3-2-1, Permanent Compared
Mortgage rate buydowns explained: how 2-1, 3-2-1, and permanent buydowns work, who pays for them, and when they make sense for Oregon buyers.
How to Get a Mortgage Rate Quote
Learn how to get a mortgage rate quote in Clackamas County. Tu Phan explains the full process, key factors, and how to compare offers.
Mortgage Rates by Loan Program: FHA, VA, Conventional, Jumbo
Mortgage rates differ by loan program. FHA, VA, conventional, and jumbo loans each price differently based on government backing, MIP, and lender risk.
New Construction Down Payment in Happy Valley, Oregon
How a new construction down payment in Happy Valley works: builder deposit vs mortgage down payment, Oregon assistance on a new build, and rate locks.
OHCS First-Time Homebuyer Programs in Oregon: Cash Advantage, Bond Loans, and Rate Advantage
Learn how OHCS first-time homebuyer programs in Oregon can help you buy a home in Clackamas County. Cash Advantage grants, Bond loans, and Rate Advantage explained by Tu Phan.
Online vs. In-Person Mortgage Quotes
Oregon City Housing Market Report: Prices and Trends
The Oregon City housing market in 2026, by the numbers: median prices, the Willamette Falls effect, property taxes, and what buyers in Clackamas County can expect.
Oregon Down Payment Assistance Programs
Oregon down payment assistance programs can help you buy a home with little to nothing down. Mortgage broker Tu Phan explains OHCS grants, Bond loans, and Clackamas County options.
Oregon Mortgage Rates: How to Read the 2026 Market
Oregon mortgage rates in 2026, explained: what drives them, how to read market signals, and when conditions favor buying or refinancing in Oregon.
Rate Quote vs. Pre-Approval
Why Your Rate Differs From the Advertised Mortgage Rate
The advertised mortgage rate is for ideal borrowers. Your actual rate depends on credit, LTV, occupancy, LLPAs, and pricing adjustments specific to your file.
The 80/20 Refinancing Rule Explained
Refinance Break-Even: When Refinancing Pays Off in Oregon
Refinancing Closing Costs in Clackamas County
Is It Worth Refinancing for a 1% Rate Drop?
Refinance Rate Quote in Clackamas
Tu Phan explains how to get a refinance rate quote in Clackamas County, including break-even analysis and when refinancing makes sense.
The 2% Rule of Refinancing: Is It Still Relevant?
Remove PMI Refinance Clackamas: A Practical Guide
A remove PMI refinance Clackamas homeowners use to drop private mortgage insurance once equity grows. How it works and when it pays off, with Tu Phan.
Should You Refinance Now?
Wondering whether you should refinance now? Tu Phan walks Clackamas County homeowners through break-even math and what to look for.
Zero-Down USDA Loan in Clackamas County: Which Towns?
A zero-down USDA loan in Clackamas County works in rural towns like Sandy and Molalla, not urban ones. See which qualify and how to verify by address.
VA Loans in Clackamas County: A Buyer's Guide
A plain-language guide to VA loans in Clackamas County, Oregon, from broker Tu Phan: eligibility, zero down, the funding fee, loan limits, and the steps to closing.
VA Mortgage Rate Quote in Clackamas
Learn how VA mortgage rate quotes work in Clackamas County, from funding fees and COE requirements to VA-specific pricing details.
Clackamas VA Streamline Refinance (IRRRL): How It Works
A Clackamas VA streamline refinance, or IRRRL, lets veterans lower their VA loan rate with less paperwork. Who qualifies, costs, and timing, with Tu Phan.
West Linn Housing Market Report: Prices and Schools 2026
The West Linn housing market in 2026, by the numbers: median prices, top-ranked schools, and what family buyers in Clackamas County should expect.
What Drives Mortgage Rates Up or Down? (Explained)
What drives mortgage rates? The 10-year Treasury, MBS spreads, Fed policy, and inflation are the four levers that move mortgage rates up or down.
What You Need for a Mortgage Quote
When to Lock In a Mortgage Rate
Learn when to lock a mortgage rate, how lock periods work, and what float-down options mean. Tu Phan guides Clackamas County borrowers.
Wilsonville Housing Market Report: Tech Jobs and Prices
The Wilsonville housing market in 2026, by the numbers: median prices, the tech corridor effect, new construction in Villebois, and what buyers can expect.
How to Buy a Home with 0% Down in Oregon
Explore zero down home loans Oregon buyers can use in 2026, including VA loans, USDA financing, and DPA stacking strategies for Clackamas County and beyond.