Patrick Reed

I write plain-language guides for MortgageDirectory about how home purchase loans, refinances, home equity products, and reverse mortgages work. My focus is on the basics that confuse people early on, like how principal, interest, term, and escrow fit together, what drives a mortgage rate, and how to read a Loan Estimate or think through closing costs. I also help readers get the most out of the payment calculator, including taxes, insurance, PMI, and HOA, so they can see how a loan might break down before talking to a lender. This site is not a lender, broker, or quote service, so I stick to explaining how things work rather than quoting rates or giving personal advice. I aim to make these topics clear enough that readers feel more confident asking their own questions when they are ready.