AI disclosure

Where we use AI

We use general-purpose large language models (currently Claude and GPT-class models) for:

• Draft scaffolding. Generating initial outlines and first drafts for explanatory copy. These drafts are heavily rewritten by editors before any review.
• Research summarization. Compressing long source documents (HUD Mortgagee Letters, IRS publications, state revenue filings) into editor-readable summaries with citations preserved.
• Editing assistance. Identifying clarity, redundancy, and tone issues in human-written copy.
• Translation support. The Spanish edition at /es/ was translated from English with AI assistance. A native-speaker editor has not reviewed it yet; we are looking for one. Report translation errors to [email protected].
• Code assistance. Calculator logic, schema markup, and accessibility patterns are reviewed and refined with AI help, but the math itself is human-verified against authoritative sources.

Where we don't use AI

Some things require a human in the loop, full stop:

• Calculator formulas. The amortization formula, PMI rate bands, FHA MIP schedule, and VA funding fee logic are human-written and cross-checked against HUD, VA, and Fannie Mae primary sources. Not AI-generated, not AI-modified without verification.
• State-specific data tables. The 50-state + DC defaults for property tax, insurance, transfer taxes, and attorney-state flags are compiled from named primary sources (Tax Foundation, NAIC, state revenue departments) by a human and verified during quarterly reviews.
• Final editorial decisions. What gets published, how it's framed, what claims are too strong or too weak — these are human calls. AI doesn't sign off.
• Reviewer sign-off. NMLS-licensed and CFP reviewers will be humans with real credentials; both seats are open today. We don't put a synthetic name on a byline.
• Author photos. Every author photo on this site is a real photograph of a real person. We do not use AI-generated images, stylized portraits, or stock photography in author bylines.

Why we publish this

By publishing this disclosure we're inviting accountability. If you find content on this site that reads like an unedited AI draft — vague, repetitive, wrong on facts, or generic to the point of being useless — flag it. That's a failure of our editorial process, and we want to know.

How to tell if our process worked

Indicators that a HearthLoan page has been through full human review:

• Specific numbers (rates, fees, percentages) with named sources
• State-specific or scenario-specific examples with real values
• Acknowledged limitations and edge cases ("this calculator does NOT apply when...")
• Named creator + reviewer in the byline, both with profile pages and external credentials
• Last reviewed date no more than 90 days old

If a page is missing any of those, treat it as a draft and let us know.

Updates to this disclosure

We will update this page when our AI usage materially changes — for example, if we begin generating images, automating reviewer sign-off (we won't), or adding a chat-style interface.

---

Questions about how a specific page was produced? Email [email protected] with the URL and we'll tell you which parts were AI-assisted and which were not.