The Smarter Mortgage

Own more of your home faster.

A conventional mortgage front-loads interest — in the early years, most of your payment goes to the lender, not your home. EquityBoost flips that. Your principal reduces by the same fixed amount every single month, and your financing charge is a flat, fixed dollar amount — never recalculated on a declining balance. Same monthly payment as a conventional loan at the same rate. Up to 2× more equity in the first 10 years.

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After 10 years — $192k loan

Principal Paid Down

EquityBoost 30-yr $64,000

Conventional Mortgage $31,366

$128k

EquityBoost balance

$161k

Traditional balance

+$32,634 more equity in your pocket

Payment Estimator

Estimated Monthly Payments

Updated weekly

EquityBoost 30-Year Fixed

Loan Amount	Term	Est. Monthly Payment
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EquityBoost 15-Year Fixed

Loan Amount	Term	Est. Monthly Payment
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Estimated payments are based on current market conditions and updated weekly. EquityBoost uses a flat financing charge structure — your exact monthly payment will be disclosed at application per TILA/Reg Z. All loans subject to credit approval and underwriting review. 20% down payment required. Primary residence only.

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The Mechanics

How EquityBoost Works

A conventional mortgage uses compound amortization — your early payments are almost entirely interest, with only a tiny slice reducing your balance. EquityBoost replaces that with two fixed components: a straight-line principal payment and a flat financing charge that never changes.

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Straight-Line Principal

Your loan balance reduces by the exact same dollar amount every single month — from payment #1 to your final payment. On a $192k 30-year loan, that's $533/month in principal, every month, guaranteed. A conventional loan pays just ~$200 in year one.

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Flat Financing Charge

Instead of interest recalculated on a declining balance each month, EquityBoost charges a single fixed dollar amount set at origination. It never changes. Your total payment — principal plus financing charge — is priced to match a conventional mortgage at the same rate.

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Equity Builds From Day One

Because you're paying down real principal immediately — not mostly interest — your equity compounds dramatically in years 1–15. That's the window when most homeowners sell or refinance. EquityBoost puts ~$32,634 more equity in your pocket at the 10-year mark on a typical Iowa home.

Interactive Calculator

See your equity advantage

Enter your loan details to instantly compare an EquityBoost 15 or 30-year loan against a conventional mortgage at current market rates.

Home Purchase Price

Down Payment (%)

Down Payment 20%

Years You Plan to Stay

Hold Period 10 yrs

Loan Term

Your Personalized Comparison

Conventional Mortgage

Monthly Payment

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Principal Paid (10 yrs)

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Remaining Balance

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EquityBoost Loan ✦
Est. Monthly Payment
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Principal Paid (10 yrs)
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Remaining Balance
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Extra equity with EquityBoost

Money in your pocket at sale / refinance

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Equity built over time

Refinance with EquityBoost

Trapped in a conventional mortgage? Switch to flat.

If you're already in a conventional mortgage, an EquityBoost refinance lets you escape the front-loaded payment structure and start building real equity — immediately.

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The Problem with Your Current Loan

In the first 10 years of a conventional 30-year mortgage, nearly 80% of every payment goes to interest — not your home. You've been paying for years and barely own more of it.

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What an EquityBoost Refi Does

From your very first EquityBoost payment, principal repayment is straight-line. Your balance drops the same fixed dollar amount every single month — no more front-loaded interest, no more paying mostly the lender for years before you start owning more of your home.

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Who It's Best For

Homeowners 1–8 years into a conventional loan who haven't built much equity yet. The earlier you switch, the more front-loaded interest you avoid paying — and the faster you own your home outright.

Explore a Refi → Available on 15-year and 30-year terms · Rate matches current conventional market

Side by Side

EquityBoost vs. Conventional Mortgage

Feature	Conventional Mortgage	EquityBoost Loan
Loan Terms Available	15-yr or 30-yr fixed	15-yr or 30-yr — same ✓
Monthly Payment	~$1,150 (on $192k, 30-yr)	Priced to match conventional at same rate ✓
Financing Charge Structure	Interest-heavy — most payments go to interest in early years	Flat, fixed amount — same every month
Principal Repayment	Back-loaded — tiny at first	Equal every month from day 1
Equity after 10 years	~$31,366 paid down	✔ ~$64,000 paid down
Balance after 10 years	~$160,634 remaining	✔ ~$128,000 remaining
Predictability	Varies (interest-heavy early)	✔ Fully transparent & flat
Benefit if you sell early	✗ Minimal equity built	✔ Significant equity advantage
Total financing charges (30yr)	~$222,000 (interest-heavy early)	~$222,000 (flat) — same total

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my monthly payment really the same as a traditional mortgage?

Yes. EquityBoost 15 and 30-year loans are priced to be competitive with any conventional mortgage at current market rates. Your financing charge is structured as a flat, fixed dollar amount — so your total payment (principal + financing charge) is comparable to a conventional loan. Your APR will be disclosed upfront as required by law, so you can compare directly.

Does the lender make less money with EquityBoost?

Over the full 30-year term, the lender's total financing charges equal what a conventional mortgage would earn (~$222,000 on a $192k loan). If borrowers sell early, total charges collected will be less — which is offset by a one-time origination fee at closing. The model is designed to be sustainable for lenders while genuinely rewarding borrowers who move or refinance.

What happens if I stay for all 30 years?

You pay the same total financing charges as a conventional mortgage would cost over 30 years. The real advantage of EquityBoost is realized in the first 10–15 years — the window where most homeowners sell or refinance. If you stay all 30 years, you still end up owning your home outright with a simpler, more predictable payment structure.

Is the financing charge tax deductible?

EquityBoost's financing charge is structured as interest under applicable law, and your APR and total interest cost will be fully disclosed at closing per federal Truth in Lending Act (TILA) requirements. As with any mortgage, the deductibility of your interest payments depends on your individual tax situation. We recommend consulting a tax advisor — for many borrowers who take the standard deduction, the practical impact is minimal.

Can I pay off the loan early or make extra payments?

Yes. Extra payments reduce your outstanding principal balance directly. Because your financing charge is a flat fixed amount rather than a rate applied to a declining balance under conventional amortization, any additional principal payments have an immediate and proportional impact on your remaining balance — making EquityBoost particularly efficient for borrowers who want to pay down their loan faster.

How does the 5% down option work — and is there a monthly payment on the second loan?

The 80/15/5 structure pairs an EquityBoost first mortgage (80% of the home price) with an Iowa Finance Authority 2nd loan (15% of the price, up to 5%) and just 5% cash from you at closing. The IFA 2nd loan has no monthly payment — it's repaid only when you sell, refinance, or pay off your first mortgage. This structure is for first-time buyers only (no primary residence owned in the past 3 years) and requires formal IFA program authorization. Ask us about current availability when you apply.

Low Down Payment Options

Own a home with as little as 5% down.

EquityBoost works alongside the Iowa Finance Authority's down payment assistance programs so you can get into a home without a 20% down payment and without costly private mortgage insurance.

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IFA Down Payment Assistance is for First-Time Homebuyers Only

The Iowa Finance Authority's 2nd Loan and grant programs are available to borrowers who have not owned a primary residence in the past 3 years. If that's you, you may qualify for up to 5% of the purchase price in assistance — with no monthly payment on the second loan.

✓ Haven't owned a home in 3+ years? You likely qualify. → Already own a home? See our Refi option instead.

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Active Duty & Veterans — Extra $5,000 Available

The Iowa Finance Authority's Military Homeownership Assistance Program provides a $5,000 grant for eligible service members, veterans, and surviving spouses — on top of any other down payment assistance you qualify for. No monthly payment, no repayment required. EquityBoost borrowers who are veterans can stack this grant directly on their loan at closing.

✓ 90+ days active duty (wartime) or 181+ days (peacetime) ✓ National Guard / Reserve with 6+ years service ✓ Surviving spouses of eligible veterans

IFA Military Program Details ↗ Funding is limited — check availability when you apply.

How the 5% Down Structure Works (example: $240,000 home)

Loan LayerAmountMonthly Payment

EquityBoost 1st Mortgage 80%

Straight-line principal · flat financing charge

$192,000

~$1,150/mo

IFA 2nd Loan (Down Payment Assistance) 15%

Iowa Finance Authority · repaid at sale or refi only

$36,000

$0/mo ✓

Your Cash at Closing 5%

No second monthly payment on the IFA loan

$12,000

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About the Iowa Finance Authority Down Payment Programs

FirstHome Grant

Up to $2,500 grant — free money toward your down payment and closing costs. First-time buyers only. Never needs to be repaid.

Min. credit score: 640 · Income limits apply

IFA 2nd Loan Program

Up to 5% of the purchase price as a second loan. No monthly payments — repaid only when you sell, refinance, or pay off your first mortgage.

Min. credit score: 640 · No interest charged

Military Assistance

$5,000 grant for eligible veterans and active-duty service members. Can be combined with FirstHome or Homes for Iowans programs.

Eligibility based on service dates

IFA FirstHome Program ↗ IFA Down Payment Programs ↗ Check Your Eligibility ↗

Note: IFA down payment assistance is currently available for new purchases in Iowa. EquityBoost is pursuing formal authorization to pair these programs together — ask us about current availability when you apply.