A mortgage will be the largest and longest financial responsibility for the majority of us. Thus, obtaining a favorable mortgage rate is vital. Over the life of a loan, a 0.5% difference in interest rates can save or spend tens of thousands of dollars.
• Even a minor difference in interest rates can accumulate over time, so it pays to browse around for a mortgage with a competitive interest rate.
• Alternatives to the usual providers of mortgages, such as banks and credit unions, include nonbank financial businesses.
• Your mortgage interest rate will depend on the type of loan, its period, your creditworthiness, and other criteria.
Check Your Credit Score
Lenders use credit scores to assess who qualifies for mortgages and at what interest rate. Generally speaking, the better the terms, the higher your credit score. Therefore, you should review your credit reports at the three major credit agencies at least six months before to submitting a mortgage application and repair any errors that may be weighing down your credit score.
Starting early also allows you additional time to establish solid credit practices, such as paying your payments on time if this has been an issue in the past. Annual Credit Report.com, the official website for this purpose, allows you to check your credit reports for free once every year.
As for your actual three-digit credit score, certain credit card issuers and credit-related organizations provide it for free. Some online mortgage calculators allow you to enter your credit score to determine the interest rates for which you qualify.
Note that mortgage consumers are typically not punished for excessive credit inquiries from lenders, as they could be if they were simultaneously applying for multiple credit cards. Credit bureaus are able to determine whether a prospective homeowner is only shopping around for a mortgage, and they are aware that mortgage-related inquiries typically culminate in a single loan. As a result, they give house-hunters a break and do not penalize their credit ratings for multiple inquiries if the loan-shopping occurs within a relatively short time frame. The FICO credit scoring model, for instance, disregards multiple queries within a 30-day interval.
Examine the Different Types of Mortgages
There are two primary types of house mortgages, fixed and adjustable, and your choice will have a significant impact on the interest rate you pay.
Fixed-Rate Mortgage
A fixed-rate (or "conventional") mortgage carries a fixed, unchanging interest rate during the life of the loan. This duration could be 10, 15, 20, or 30 years, however loans with shorter or longer terms are also available.
The longer the loan period, the cheaper your monthly payments will be, but you will pay more in total interest throughout the life of the loan.
Fixed-rate loans can be an excellent option for homeowners who value the certainty of knowing their monthly mortgage payment for many years in advance.
Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM)
Adjustable-rate mortgages, also known as variable-rate or floating-rate mortgages, are loans having interest rates that can change frequently, typically in connection to an index. Despite the fact that the starting rate is typically lower than the rate on a fixed-rate mortgage, the rate may increase based on the terms of the loan. The majority of adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) feature ceilings or limits on the magnitude of each rate change and the maximum rate increase.
ARMs are a smart option for buyers who expect interest rates to decline in the coming years or who plan to move before their loan's interest rate is modified. A 5/1 ARM, for instance, has a fixed interest rate for the first five years, after which the rate is subject to annual adjustment.
Shop Multiple Lenders
Even for the same sort of mortgage, mortgage rates might differ from one lender to the next. It is advantageous to shop about, which you can do readily online, at least initially.
Conventional sources for mortgages include banks, savings and loan associations, and credit unions. In recent years, nonbank financial institutions have gained a substantial portion of the mortgage industry.
Any financial institution with which you have an existing relationship could be a suitable starting point. Additionally, they may provide unique discounts for established customers if they already know you. At the time of this writing, for instance, Bank of America offers a $200 to $600 fee discount for mortgage applicants with a Bank of America bank account or a Merrill investment account.
Utilizing a mortgage broker is an alternative. Mortgage brokers deal with a variety of lenders and can assist you in finding a suitable mortgage, often at a better rate than you could obtain on your own. However, they are frequently paid commissions by lenders, which may incentivize them to guide you toward a specific lender even if there are better possibilities. To locate a trustworthy mortgage broker, consult your real estate agent, attorney, or another qualified local source.
Ultimately, there is no replacement for at least some independent mortgage shopping. Even if you end up working with a broker, you will know whether the broker's proposed deals are genuinely advantageous.
Discover the Actual Cost of the Mortgage
Low advertised interest rates may cause borrowers to overlook the true cost of a mortgage. When comparing interest rates from several lenders, the annual percentage rate (APR) is the key metric to consider.
The APR, which will be more than the interest rate, represents the total cost of the loan, including any additional fees assessed by the lender. It is based on the assumption that you would keep the loan for its whole term, thus the costs are averaged throughout that time frame.
Another factor to consider is "points." This word can occasionally refer to additional expenses that are factored into the APR, but it can also refer to discount points. In exchange for a lower interest rate, discount points are an optional, up-front payment. Each point is always equal to one percent of the loan amount.
People who plan to live in a home for minimum 10 years may want to consider paying by points to keep their interest rate low for the duration of the loan (assuming they can spare the upfront cash). In contrast, paying a substantial amount of money for points makes little sense if you plan to relocate within a short period of time.
Knowing the true cost of a mortgage is not just essential for evaluating the proposals of various lenders. It can also help you determine how much you can afford to pay for a property without overextending yourself. A good rule of thumb is that your mortgage, property taxes, and insurance should not exceed 28% of your gross income.
Ask for a Pre-Approval Letter
Once you have identified one or more prospective lenders, you should request a pre-approval letter from them. A pre-approval letter is not an official loan offer, but it does suggest that the lender has completed a credit check or other financial inquiry and is willing to lend you up to a particular amount of money.
Being pre-approved for a mortgage can provide homebuyers an advantage in the real estate market, as prospective sellers will know that they are serious about their bids and have the financial resources to back them up.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says "Preapproval does not need to require you to use the lender for your loan. Until you have made an offer on a home and gotten certified Loan Estimates from each of your possible lenders, you should not choose a lender."
Obtain Loan Estimates
If you've located a home you wish to purchase, you can receive a Loan Estimate from the prospective lenders. This usual three-page form describes the loan type, monthly payment, total closing fees, projected interest rate, and estimated tax and insurance charges.
A Loan Estimate is not a guaranteed mortgage offer, but it does show the terms you can expect if you choose this lender. Before committing to granting you a mortgage, the lender will normally need further financial information.
Once lenders provide estimates, consumers can sometimes bargain for better conditions, particularly if they have the ability to make a larger-than-average down payment or have exemplary credit histories. This strategy is most likely to succeed in a declining real estate market, when lenders are desperate for business.
Formalize the Contract
Typically, loan estimates are valid for ten business days, after which they expire. If you've decided on a certain lender, you should notify them within that time range and provide any additional information they need. You must also pay for the application fee.
If you are satisfied with the proposed terms, you can seek a written rate lock or lock-in. This will prevent the interest rate on the loan from increasing if market interest rates rise before the contract is finalized. Most lenders charge a fee for this service, but it may be worthwhile if you've locked in a favorable interest rate and rates appear volatile.
Obtaining a favorable mortgage rate requires some effort, but it can pay off in the long term. Even after obtaining a mortgage and moving into your new house, you may wish to monitor interest rates. If they decrease or your credit score improves significantly, you may wish to refinance into a new mortgage with an even better rate.
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