Tools & Resources
Mortgage Calculators & Homebuying Tools
Six free mortgage calculators and a library of plain-English guides, all in one place. Estimate a monthly payment, size a realistic budget, test a refinance or line up loan scenarios side by side, then bring those numbers to Sterling Smith when you want a figure you can actually count on.
Calculators
Run the numbers before you talk to a lender
Each tool answers one specific question. None of them asks for your name, email or a credit pull, and every result updates as you type.
Mortgage Payment Calculator
Turn a price, down payment, rate and term into a monthly figure, then layer in property tax, insurance, HOA dues and PMI for the full housing cost.
Learn more →Affordability Calculator
Work backward from income, monthly debts and cash on hand to a price ceiling based on the common 28%/36% debt-to-income guideline.
Learn more →Refinance Calculator
Compare your existing loan against a new rate and term, factor in closing costs, and see how many months it takes for the savings to pay for themselves.
Learn more →Loan Comparison Tool
Line up as many as three scenarios with different prices, down payments, rates, terms and mortgage insurance to compare payment, lifetime interest and cash to close.
Learn more →Rates & Terms Finder
Answer a short questionnaire about your goals and profile to see which loan programs and term lengths are worth a closer look.
Learn more →Extra Payment Calculator
Test a recurring or one-time principal prepayment and watch the payoff date move up and the interest bill shrink.
Learn more →Where the math stops
What a calculator can't tell you
Every estimate rests on inputs you supply: a guessed rate, a tax figure pulled from a listing, an insurance premium nobody has quoted yet. That makes the output useful for planning, but it is never an approval. Real qualification hinges on details no form field captures:
- Credit profile — your score, the depth of your accounts and any recent inquiries all influence pricing and eligibility.
- Documented income — a salaried W-2 employee is verified very differently from a self-employed borrower using bank statements.
- Property type — condos, multi-unit buildings, manufactured homes and rural properties each carry their own guidelines.
- Program fit — FHA, VA, USDA, conventional and specialized Non-QM programs evaluate the same file in different ways.
A short conversation replaces a lot of guesswork. Starting a prequalification requires no hard credit pull, and our team responds within two business hours.
Guides & reading
Mortgage guides and homeowner resources
Once the calculators have given you a range, these guides cover what happens between that first estimate and the closing table. Browse everything in our mortgage resources and guides library.
First-Time Homebuyer Guide
Down payment minimums, gift funds, earnest money, appraisals and the sequence from accepted offer to keys, explained once and clearly.
Learn more →Document Checklist
The paperwork underwriting typically requests, grouped by borrower type, so missing documents don't slow your file down.
Learn more →Mortgage FAQ
Direct answers on rate locks, PMI removal, prequalification versus pre-approval, and how credit checks work.
Learn more →Mortgage Glossary
Escrow, LTV, DTI, points, amortization and the rest of the vocabulary on a Loan Estimate, defined in a sentence or two.
Learn more →Process Timeline
What each stage of a loan looks like, from application through underwriting and closing, and where delays usually come from.
Learn more →Areas we serve
Mortgage lending in all 50 states
The Smith Mortgage Group, Powered by FCM, is licensed to originate in all 50 states. Sterling Smith works from the branch office at 605 Delray Street in Shelbyville, Tennessee, yet the calculators and loan programs on this site apply wherever you plan to buy or refinance.
Buyers regularly reach out from metros such as Nashville, Atlanta, Charlotte, Denver and Phoenix. For anywhere else, browse the full state-by-state service directory or call or text 931-205-9873.
From estimate to approval
How to use these tools together
The calculators work best as a sequence rather than in isolation.
Find your ceiling
Start with the affordability calculator to see what price range your income and debts support.
Price a real home
Plug a specific listing into the payment calculator, including that property's taxes, insurance and HOA dues.
Compare structures
Use the comparison tool and the rates and terms questionnaire to weigh down payment, term and program trade-offs.
Make it official
Share your favorite scenario with Sterling Smith and request a pre-approval; decisions can come in as little as 24 hours.
Turn an estimate into a real number
Calculators give you a range. A licensed loan officer gives you a program recommendation, a personalized rate quote and a pre-approval letter sellers take seriously. Reach Sterling Smith at sterling.smith@fcmhomeloans.com or 931-205-9873.
Start Your PrequalificationQuestions
Mortgage tools FAQ
Which mortgage calculator should I start with?
If you haven't picked a price range yet, begin with the home affordability calculator. Once you have a specific property in mind, switch to the payment calculator to see the full monthly cost of that home.
Do I have to enter personal information to use the tools?
No. Every calculator runs in your browser with no sign-up, email address or credit check. You only share details if you decide to request a prequalification.
How accurate are online mortgage calculators?
The math is precise, but the output is only as good as the inputs. Rates, taxes, insurance and mortgage insurance all vary by borrower and property, so treat every result as a planning estimate rather than a quote.
Can I get an actual rate quote from this site?
Personalized rate quotes come directly from Sterling Smith after a quick review of your goals and profile. The Rates & Terms Finder helps you narrow down programs first, and you can request a quote whenever you're ready.
Are these tools useful if I already own a home?
Yes. Homeowners often use the refinance calculator to evaluate a new rate or term and the extra payment calculator to plan an earlier payoff. For cash-out or streamline options, see our refinancing solutions.
Keep Exploring
Related resources
Let's Talk
Questions about mortgage calculators?
Send a quick note and Sterling Smith will reply within two business hours (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm CT). Prefer to talk now? Call or text 931-205-9873.
Loading the secure contact form… If it doesn't appear, call or text 931-205-9873 or email sterling.smith@fcmhomeloans.com.
Start Today
Ready to talk through your options?
Get a free, no-obligation consultation with Sterling Smith: clear answers, a side-by-side look at the programs you qualify for, and a plan built around your budget.