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Refinancing a mortgage can be a great financial move for homeowners to potentially lower monthly mortgage payments, tap home equity, or build equity more quickly by shortening the term of the loan.  

Refinancing can save you money — but it can cost you money too. Before you start the refinancing process, you should know how it works, the benefits and drawbacks, and the steps you’ll need to take. 

What Is Mortgage Refinancing and Why You Might Want to Refinance?

Refinancing a home mortgage is basically replacing your existing mortgage with a new one, typically with a different principal and interest rate. 

There are many reasons why borrowers choose to refinance a mortgage, including: 

  • To take advantage of lower market interest rates
  • To shorten the term of their loan
  • To withdraw a portion of their equity
  • To lower their monthly payments with a longer repayment term
  • To convert from an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) to a fixed-rate mortgage 
  • To remove or add another person to the mortgage

Choosing the Right Type of Mortgage Refinances 

There are three main types of mortgage refinances: rate-and-term, cash-out, and cash-in. 

  • Rate-and-term refinance: This type of refinancing allows the borrower to change the interest rate, the term of the loan, or both without advancing any new money.
  • Cash-out refinance: A cash-out refinance takes advantage of the built-up equity in the home and gives the borrower cash in exchange for a larger mortgage.
  • Cash-in refinance: A cash-in refinance allows homeowners to pay a large sum towards their principal balance during the refinance process.

4 Benefits of Refinancing a Mortgage

Your decision to refinance your home mortgage ultimately depends on your goal. Do you want to lower your monthly payments? Are you hoping to shorten the length of your loan? 

Here are some common reasons that people choose to refinance:

  1. Changing the length of your loan. By refinancing from a 30-year mortgage into a 15-year mortgage, you could pay it off in half the time. This also results in paying less interest; however, your monthly payment may go up.
  2. Switching to a different loan type. Some homeowners choose to refinance their mortgage to change their loan types. For example, refinancing from an adjustable-rate mortgage to a fixed-rate mortgage. The interest rate for an adjustable-rate mortgage can go up and down over time but the interest rate for a fixed-rate mortgage doesn’t change.
  3. Tapping into your home equity. Want to do some home improvements, pay off debt, or even take a trip? You can do a cash-out refinance to borrow more than you owe on your current mortgage.
  1. Getting a lower interest rate. Interest rates fluctuate for a variety of reasons. Refinancing could make financial sense if you can get a lower interest rate than when you originally took out your mortgage. If you can secure a lower interest rate, you could potentially save money and pay off your mortgage faster. 

Calculate how refinancing might affect your monthly payments with Total Mortgage’s Refinance Calculator and see how much you can save. 

How to Refinance a Mortgage: 4 Key Steps

Refinancing a mortgage is very similar to purchasing a home; however, it’s a little less complicated. But how exactly does refinancing your home work? Here is a simplified step-by-step guide:

  1. Understand your reasons for refinancing. Before you refinance, you need a clear goal. What do you want out of your refinance and what type of loan will help you achieve that goal?
  2. Apply for a refinance. Once you’ve selected your lender, you’re ready to complete your refinance application, lock your interest rate, and submit any necessary documents. Keep in mind that you don’t have to refinance with your current lender. Exploring other landers’ options could increase your chances of finding a better interest rate with more favorable loan terms.
  3. Appraisal and underwriting. The underwriter will review the application and documents and offer conditional and/or final approval of the loan. The lender will also order a home appraisal to verify the current home value.
  4. Close on the loan. The home closing is when you and your lender will go over the loan documents and finalize all details. You’ll need to sign documents and pay closing costs listed in the Loan Estimate and the Closing Disclosure.

The time it takes to refinance a mortgage depends on several factors, such as credit checks, appraisals, and the lender. Refinancing a mortgage can take anywhere from 15 days to 45 days or longer, with an average of 30 days to close. 

Costs of Refinancing a Mortgage 

Refinancing isn’t free — but depending on your circumstances, it can be worth it. Closing costs typically include origination fees, home appraisal, and recording. Depending on where you live and your lender, there could also be an attorney fee and title search, and insurance.

Closing costs are generally a percentage of your loan amount —about 2% to 5% — though these are just estimates and costs may vary depending on the state and county where you live as well as your lender.

Not every closing will cost you money at the closing table. You could also have a no-closing cost refinance. 

This is a refinance where instead of paying upfront, closing costs are either rolled into the new loan or the lender may raise your interest rate. While this does mean that you need to come up with less money at closing, you could end up paying more over the long run.

Explore Total Mortgage’s Refinancing Options

Unsure if you should refinance? Refinancing a mortgage could potentially lower your monthly payments with more favorable terms. Another option is to use a mortgage refinance to tap your home’s valuable equity and use the cash as you please. 

If you’re looking to refinance a mortgage, be sure to check out Total Mortgage’s list of branches across the US and find the one nearest to you. You can also apply online and get a free rate quote.

Source: totalmortgage.com

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A few weeks ago, I wrote about how I refinanced my mortgage for the second time in a year. The second refinance wasn’t actually part of my master plan, but I ended up having to refinance in order to remove my private mortgage insurance. And although refinancing our home again proved to be a huge pain, we are now saving $135 per month by no longer paying private mortgage insurance premiums.

Thankfully, we managed to secure a no-cost refinance that only cost us in time and effort. It’s a huge relief that the process is finally over, and I am fairly hopeful that this is the last time we will ever have to refinance.

Refinancing Has Its Perks

Luckily, I am no stranger to the benefits of refinancing. Not only did we refinance our primary residence, but we also refinanced our two rental homes within the past 18 months. We did so in order to take advantage of record low interest rates and to shorten the terms of their loans.

Now that we have refinanced our rental properties, they will be paid off much faster. In fact, our two rental properties are due to be paid off in about 13 years. Once they are completely paid off, we will then have another (somewhat) passive income stream and will be that much closer to our lifetime dream of early retirement.

Since I have refinanced properties so many times, I decided to write about some of the reasons that people choose to refinance. Like me, you may find that refinancing could save tens of thousands of dollars in interest and years of mortgage debt repayment. Unfortunately, it does take some effort to get the process started. However, the time and effort spent could easily be worth it depending on your situation. Here are some reasons that you may want to consider refinancing your home loan.

5 Reasons You May Want to Refinance

Refinance to shorten the term of your loan. If you have a 30-year mortgage, now may be a great time to consider refinancing. With record low interest rates, you may find that a 15-year mortgage is not much more expensive than the 30-year loan payment you have been paying.

Start by entering your information into a mortgage calculator to see what your new payment might be. If your new estimated payment is feasible, consider contacting a mortgage professional. (When we first refinanced our home from a 30-year mortgage at 5 percent to a 15-year mortgage at 3.25 percent, our payment only increased by about $200. Since the increase fit easily into our budget, the decision was a no-brainer.)

Refinance to lower your interest rate. As I mentioned before, interest rates are near a record low. And as I write this, 30-year mortgage rates are hovering above 3 percent and 15-year loans can be secured for an even lower rate. If your home is now financed at a higher interest rate, it may be a great time for you to consider refinancing. You could literally save tens of thousands of dollars just by taking the time to fill out the necessary paperwork and gather the needed documents.

Refinance to lower your payment. Refinancing your mortgage at a lower interest rate could mean drastically reducing your payment and saving tens of thousands of dollars in interest. Lowering your mortgage payment could also free up hundreds of dollars per month that could be saved or invested. Although refinancing to lower your payment could increase the term of your loan, it could make sense in your particular situation.

Refinance from an adjustable-rate mortgage to a fixed-rate loan. If you currently have an adjustable-rate mortgage, now may be the perfect time to refinance into a fixed-rate loan. Interest rates are low now, but they may not stay this low forever. Locking into a low, fixed rate can protect you from rising interest rates in coming years. Additionally, a fixed payment is easier to plan for and budget.

Refinance to cash out home equity. It’s a tempting proposition to cash out your home equity by refinancing your home. It could even be a great financial move in some circumstances. For instance, it may make sense to cash out some of your home equity in order to buy an investment property or start a business. It mostly depends on what you are trying to achieve and if you are someone who can manage your debts responsibly.

Can Refinancing Help You Meet Your Goals?

Before refinancing, consider what your goals really are. Do you want to lower your monthly mortgage payment? Do you want to pay off your mortgage and get out of debt faster? Only you can answer these questions.

It is also important to take all closing costs and fees into consideration. Depending on which new loan you choose, you may have to pay thousands of dollars in fees for your new mortgage. It may take several years to recoup the costs of refinancing, and it is important to identify your breakeven point. If you plan on moving in the near future, it may not make sense to refinance your home loan at all.

Do You Even Qualify For a Refinance?

Due to government-backed programs, you may be able to refinance your home even if you owe more than your home is worth. The Home Affordable Refinance Program, known as HARP, loosens requirements for traditional refinancing. According to MakingHomeAffordable.gov, your loan must meet several requirements in order to qualify:

  • The mortgage must be owned or guaranteed by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae.
  • The mortgage must have been sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac on or before May 31, 2009.
  • The mortgage cannot have been refinanced under HARP previously unless it is a Fannie Mae loan that was refinanced under HARP from March-May, 2009.
  • The current loan-to-value (LTV) ratio must be greater than 80%.
  • The borrower must be current on the mortgage at the time of the refinance, with a good payment history in the past 12 months.

Consider Refinancing Decisions Carefully

There are many things to consider before refinancing your mortgage. Most importantly, you should weigh the pros and cons of your particular situation and act according to your own best interest. With some thorough research and planning, refinancing your mortgage could turn out to be the best thing for your family and for your pocketbook. Have a look at the table below for the best mortgage rates.

Have you considered refinancing your mortgage? If so, why did you decide to refinance? If not, why haven’t you?

Source: getrichslowly.org

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National mortgage rates jumped for all types of loans compared to a week ago, according to data compiled by Bankrate. Rates for 30-year fixed, 15-year fixed, 5/1 ARMs and jumbo loans moved higher.

The Federal Reserve has raised rates 10 times in a row, most recently at its May 3 meeting. Rates now are at a 15-year high, but the consensus is that inflation is finally cooling and the central bank might halt raising rates.

”Mortgage rates have settled into a new normal of around 6.5 percent on a 30-year fixed-rate loan,” says Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist at Bright MLS, a large multiple listing service in the Middle Atlantic region. ”With growing recession risks, we could see mortgage rates dip lower, but we will not be returning to the 3 percent level seen during the height of the pandemic.”

Rates as of May 29, 2023.

These rates are marketplace averages based on the assumptions indicated here. Actual rates available on-site may vary. This story has been reviewed by Suzanne De Vita. All rate data accurate as of Monday, May 29th, 2023 at 7:30 a.m.

You can save thousands of dollars over the life of your mortgage by getting multiple offers. Comparing mortgage offers from multiple lenders is always a smart move, but shopping around grew especially critical during the interest rate run-up of 2022, according to research by mortgage giant Freddie Mac. It found the payoff for bargain-huntng borrowers doubled last year.

“All too often, some homeowners take the path of least resistance when seeking a mortgage, in part because the process of buying a home can be stressful, complicated and time-consuming,” says Mark Hamrick, senior economic analyst for Bankrate. “But when we’re talking about the potential of saving a lot of money, seeking the best deal on a mortgage has an excellent return on investment. Why leave that money on the table when all it takes is a bit more effort to shop around for the best rate, or lowest cost, on a mortgage?”

Mortgage rates

30-year fixed-rate mortgage rises, +0.15%

The average rate for the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage is 7.19 percent, up 15 basis points over the last seven days. Last month on the 29th, the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage was lower, at 6.88 percent.

At the current average rate, you’ll pay a combined $678.11 per month in principal and interest for every $100k you borrow. That’s $10.12 higher compared with last week.

The 30-year mortgage is the most popular option for homeowners, and this type of loan has a number of advantages, including:

  • Lower monthly payment. Compared to a shorter term, such as 15 years, the 30-year mortgage offers lower, more affordable payments spread over time.
  • Stability. With the 30-year, you lock in a consistent principal and interest payment. That predictability lets you plan your housing expenses for the long term. Keep in mind: Your monthly housing payment can change if your homeowners insurance and property taxes go up or, less likely, down.
  • Buying power. Because you have lower payments, you can qualify for a bigger loan and a more expensive house.
  • Flexibility. Lower monthly payments can free up some of your monthly budget for other goals, like building an emergency fund, contributing to retirement or college tuition, or saving for home repairs and maintenance.
  • Strategic use of debt. Some argue that Americans focus too much on paying down their mortgages rather than adding to their retirement accounts. A 30-year mortgage with a smaller monthly payment can allow you to save more for retirement.

15-year mortgage rate trends upward,+0.19%

The average rate for the benchmark 15-year fixed mortgage is 6.61 percent, up 19 basis points since the same time last week.

Monthly payments on a 15-year fixed mortgage at that rate will cost approximately $877 per $100k borrowed. The bigger payment may be a little more difficult to find room for in your monthly budget than a 30-year mortgage payment would, but it comes with some big advantages: You’ll save thousands of dollars over the life of the loan in total interest paid and build equity much more quickly.

5/1 adjustable rate mortgage moves upward, +0.13%

The average rate on a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage is 6.00 percent, adding 13 basis points over the last 7 days.

Adjustable-rate mortgages, or ARMs, are mortgage terms that come with a floating interest rate. To put it another way, the interest rate can change periodically throughout the life of the loan, unlike fixed-rate mortgages. These loan types are best for people who expect to refinance or sell before the first or second adjustment. Rates could be considerably higher when the loan first adjusts, and thereafter.

While borrowers shunned ARMs during the pandemic days of super-low rates, this type of loan has made a comeback as mortgage rates have risen.

Monthly payments on a 5/1 ARM at 6.00 percent would cost about $600 for each $100,000 borrowed over the initial five years, but could increase by hundreds of dollars afterward, depending on the loan’s terms.

Current jumbo mortgage rate moves upward, +0.11%

The current average rate you’ll pay for jumbo mortgages is 7.20 percent, up 11 basis points from a week ago. This time a month ago, the average rate on a jumbo mortgage was below that, at 6.96 percent.

At the current average rate, you’ll pay a combined $678.79 per month in principal and interest for every $100,000 you borrow. That’s an additional $7.43 per $100,000 compared to last week.

Recap: How mortgage rates have shifted

  • 30-year fixed mortgage rate: 7.19%, up from 7.04% last week, +0.15
  • 15-year fixed mortgage rate: 6.61%, up from 6.42% last week, +0.19
  • 5/1 ARM mortgage rate: 6.00%, up from 5.87% last week, +0.13
  • Jumbo mortgage rate: 7.20%, up from 7.09% last week, +0.11

Interested in refinancing? See rates for home refinance

Current 30 year mortgage refinance rate trends upward, +0.13%

The average 30-year fixed-refinance rate is 7.25 percent, up 13 basis points over the last week. A month ago, the average rate on a 30-year fixed refinance was lower, at 6.99 percent.

At the current average rate, you’ll pay $682.18 per month in principal and interest for every $100,000 you borrow. That’s $8.80 higher compared with last week.

Where mortgage rates are headed

The days of sub-3 percent mortgage interest on the 30-year fixed are behind us, and rates have so far risen beyond 7 percent in 2022.

“Low interest rates were the medicine for economic recovery following the financial crisis, but it was a slow recovery so rates never went up very far,” says McBride. “The rebound in the economy, and especially inflation, in the late pandemic stages has been very pronounced, and we now have a backdrop of mortgage rates rising at the fastest pace in decades.”

Comparing mortgage options

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is the most popular loan for homeowners. This mortgage has a number of advantages. Among them:

  • Lower monthly payment: Compared to a shorter term, such as 15 years, the 30-year mortgage offers lower payments spread over time.
  • Stability: With a 30-year mortgage, you lock in a consistent principal and interest payment. Because of the predictability, you can plan your housing expenses for the long term. Remember: Your monthly housing payment can change if your homeowners insurance and property taxes go up or, less likely, down.
  • Buying power: With lower payments, you can qualify for a larger loan amount and a more expensive home.
  • Flexibility: Lower monthly payments can free up some of your monthly budget for other goals, like saving for emergencies, retirement, college tuition or home repairs and maintenance.
  • Strategic use of debt: Some argue that Americans focus too much on paying down their mortgages rather than adding to their retirement accounts. A 30-year fixed mortgage with a smaller monthly payment can allow you to save more for retirement.

That said, shorter-term loans have gained popularity as rates have been historically low. Although they have higher monthly payments compared to 30-year mortgages, there are some big benefits if you can afford the upfront costs. Shorter-term loans can help you achieve:

  • Greatly reduced interest costs: Because you pay off the loan faster, you’ll be able to pay less interest overall.
  • Lower interest rate: On top of less time for that interest to compound, most lenders price shorter-term mortgages with lower rates.
  • Build equity faster: The faster you pay off your mortgage, the faster you’ll own value in your home outright. That’s especially handy if you want to borrow against your property to fund other spending.
  • Debt-free sooner: A shorter-term mortgage means you’ll own your house free and clear sooner than you would with a longer-term loan.

Determining how much house you can afford

If you’re not sure how much of your income should go toward housing, follow the traditional 28/36 percent rule. Most financial advisers agree that people should spend no more than 28% of their gross income on housing (i.e., your mortgage payment or rent), and no more than 36% of their gross income on total debt, including mortgage payments, credit cards, student loans, medical bills and the like. Calculate how much house you can afford and determine your monthly payments.

Keep reading:

Featured lenders for today, May 29, 2023

Source: bankrate.com

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About our Mortgage Rate Tables: The above mortgage loan information is provided to, or obtained by, Bankrate. Some lenders provide their mortgage loan terms to Bankrate for advertising purposes and Bankrate receives compensation from those advertisers (our “Advertisers”). Other lenders’ terms are gathered by Bankrate through its own research of available mortgage loan terms and that information is displayed in our rate table for applicable criteria. In the above table, an Advertiser listing can be identified and distinguished from other listings because it includes a “Next” button that can be used to click-through to the Advertiser’s own website or a phone number for the Advertiser.

Availability of Advertised Terms: Each Advertiser is responsible for the accuracy and availability of its own advertised terms. Bankrate cannot guaranty the accuracy or availability of any loan term shown above. However, Bankrate attempts to verify the accuracy and availability of the advertised terms through its quality assurance process and requires Advertisers to agree to our Terms and Conditions and to adhere to our Quality Control Program. Click here for rate criteria by loan product.

Loan Terms for Bankrate.com Customers: Advertisers may have different loan terms on their own website from those advertised through Bankrate.com. To receive the Bankrate.com rate, you must identify yourself to the Advertiser as a Bankrate.com customer. This will typically be done by phone so you should look for the Advertisers phone number when you click-through to their website. In addition, credit unions may require membership.

Loans Above $726,200 May Have Different Loan Terms: If you are seeking a loan for more than $726,200, lenders in certain locations may be able to provide terms that are different from those shown in the table above. You should confirm your terms with the lender for your requested loan amount.

Taxes and Insurance Excluded from Loan Terms: The loan terms (APR and Payment examples) shown above do not include amounts for taxes or insurance premiums. Your monthly payment amount will be greater if taxes and insurance premiums are included.

Consumer Satisfaction: If you have used Bankrate.com and have not received the advertised loan terms or otherwise been dissatisfied with your experience with any Advertiser, we want to hear from you. Please click here to provide your comments to Bankrate Quality Control.

Source: thesimpledollar.com

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Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further

“Apparently, I’m a financial unicorn,” says Lance Cairns of Georgia, Vermont. Cairns has worked his whole adult life to build a credit score higher than 800, a feat achieved by only 5.7% of all Americans, according to CreditKarma.com. That’s not exactly mythical, but is quite rare.

Cairns has maintained excellent credit since he began building his credit history in his early 20s. His 811 FICO score paid off when he secured low-interest rates on his mortgage and credit cards. But can someone who has accrued substantial revolving debt or made poor financial decisions in the past achieve such a score? Experts – and people who’ve done it – say yes.

Perks of the Credit Elite

Cairns was recently approved for a credit card with a 5.15% interest rate – lower than that of many fixed-rate conventional mortgages. The APR, or annual percentage rate, on his other major credit card is 7.25%. Thanks to his high credit score, Cairns also saves money on his car insurance.

Julie White, another member of the credit elite (her score is 813), enjoys multiple money-saving perks, as well as bragging rights. “My husband’s score is 793 and I lord those 20 points over him,” she jokes.

To start with, White recently obtained a 15-year mortgage with a 4.5% interest rate. “We also got lower fees on some closing costs associated with the bank, and lower homeowners’ insurance costs. Apparently, people with excellent credit are less likely to burn the house down,” she quips.

From 600 to 800+


Unlike Cairns, who has always had impeccable credit, White had a credit score in the low 600s in her early 20s. “When I was making less money, it was harder. I regularly carried balances until about 10 years ago,” she says.

Since debt utilization makes up 30 percent of your credit score – the second biggest factor after timely payments – carrying a balance can keep you out of the credit-elite category.

Once White was able to pay off those balances, her credit score spiked. She keeps it high by using Outlook reminders and online bill-paying so she never misses a payment. “Most of our household bills go on a cash-rewards credit card I pay off each month. I write only a few checks. This reduces the chance of a slipup,” she says.

Randy Mitchelson, owner of the Daily Dollar Newsletter personal finance blog, says White’s experience isn’t unusual. “Time heals all credit issues,” he says. “Assuming the consumer has perfect credit behavior for a 24-month period following bad credit behavior, he can earn a dramatically different score.”

Taking Your Credit from Excellent to Elite

Once you hit the 750 mark, it takes careful credit management to make the jump to 850. Some experts say there’s no real difference in 50 points when you reach the top of the pack, but others say that in today’s lending environment, every point helps. “A FICO score of 750 is great, but it’s no longer a guarantee for the best rates available,” says Wayne Sanford of YourCreditSpecialist.com.

Sanford points to the all-important debt-to-available-credit ratio as one way to give your score a nudge. “If you have a perfect payment history for six to 12 months, you may be able to get a credit line increase just by asking,” he says. That way, a credit inquiry won’t negatively affect your score, but you can lower your debt-to-credit ratio to gain points. “Credit unions and smaller banks are more likely to do this based on your credit history alone,” Sanford advises.

Another way to raise your score is to develop a variety of credit – a mixture of revolving and installment loans. “A good ratio is two revolving loans for every installment,” Sanford says. “So if you have a mortgage and a car loan, you should have four credit cards.”

Of course, you shouldn’t buy a new car just to improve your credit score. Sanford suggests adding your name to a spouse’s existing installment loan – another move you can make without a credit inquiry.

Credit inquiries account for 10 percent of your FICO score, so it’s a good idea to limit them if you intend to join the credit elite. “Retail store cards we apply for to get a discount, cell phone plans, auto loans, apartment rentals… these all count against our FICO score,” says Denise Winston, a money and time-saving expert. “I limit mine to no more than two per year.”

In general, the rules to join the credit elite are simple: make timely payments, keep your credit utilization up to about 25 to 35 percent of your available credit, and minimize credit inquiries.

In addition to the cost savings available to members of the credit elite, there’s another key benefit: peace of mind. The higher your score, the easier it is to stay within the “excellent” category should you make a small mistake. Mitchelson explains: “One late payment may bring you from 810 to 760 and keep you in the ‘A’ credit range, whereas a 720 person with a late payment will fall into the 600s and out of the ‘A’ range,” he says.

For more tips on improving your credit score, check out MintLife‘s Credit Score Primer.

Can You Increase Your Credit Score to 850 is provided by Experian.com

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Mortgage interest rates sunk on all loan terms from a week ago, according to data compiled by Bankrate. Rates for 30-year fixed, 15-year fixed, 5/1 ARMs and jumbo loans all dropped.

The Federal Reserve has lifted rates 10 times in a row, most recently at its May 3 meeting. Rates now are at a 15-year high, but the consensus is that inflation is finally cooling and the central bank might halt raising rates.

”Mortgage rates have settled into a new normal of around 6.5 percent on a 30-year fixed-rate loan,” says Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist at Bright MLS, a large multiple listing service in the Middle Atlantic region. ”With growing recession risks, we could see mortgage rates dip lower, but we will not be returning to the 3 percent level seen during the height of the pandemic.”

Rates as of May 9, 2023.

These rates are marketplace averages based on the assumptions indicated here. Actual rates displayed across the site may vary. This story has been reviewed by Suzanne De Vita. All rate data accurate as of Tuesday, May 9th, 2023 at 7:30 a.m.

>>See historical mortgage rate trends, from the 70s to today

You can save thousands of dollars over the life of your mortgage by getting at least three rate quotes. Comparing mortgage offers from multiple lenders is always a smart move, but shopping around grew especially critical during the interest rate run-up of 2022, according to research by mortgage giant Freddie Mac. It found the payoff for bargain-huntng borrowers doubled last year.

“All too often, some homeowners take the path of least resistance when seeking a mortgage, in part because the process of buying a home can be stressful, complicated and time-consuming,” says Mark Hamrick, senior economic analyst for Bankrate. “But when we’re talking about the potential of saving a lot of money, seeking the best deal on a mortgage has an excellent return on investment. Why leave that money on the table when all it takes is a bit more effort to shop around for the best rate, or lowest cost, on a mortgage?”

Mortgage rates

Today’s 30-year mortgage rate dips, -0.01%

The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage is 6.87 percent, down 1 basis point over the last week. This time a month ago, the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage was unchanged, at 6.87 percent.

At the current average rate, you’ll pay principal and interest of $656.59 for every $100k you borrow. That’s $0.67 lower, compared with last week.

How do I view personalized 30-year mortgage rates?

Use the loan widgets on this page or head to our primary rates page to see what kind of rates are available in your situation. You just need to give us a little information about your finances and where you live. With that data, Bankrate can show you real-time estimates of mortgages available to you from a number of providers.

15-year mortgage falls,-0.03%

The average rate for the benchmark 15-year fixed mortgage is 6.23 percent, down 3 basis points over the last seven days.

Monthly payments on a 15-year fixed mortgage at that rate will cost roughly $856 per $100k borrowed. Yes, that payment is much bigger than it would be on a 30-year mortgage, but it comes with some big advantages: You’ll come out several thousand dollars ahead over the life of the loan in total interest paid and build equity much more rapidly.

5/1 ARM rate eases, -0.01%

The average rate on a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage is 5.79 percent, sliding 1 basis point since the same time last week.

Adjustable-rate mortgages, or ARMs, are mortgage terms that come with a floating interest rate. In other words, the interest rate can change periodically throughout the life of the loan, unlike fixed-rate loans. These types of loans are best for those who expect to refinance or sell before the first or second adjustment. Rates could be considerably higher when the loan first adjusts, and thereafter.

While borrowers shunned ARMs during the pandemic days of super-low rates, this type of loan has made a comeback as mortgage rates have risen.

Monthly payments on a 5/1 ARM at 5.79 percent would cost about $586 for each $100,000 borrowed over the initial five years, but could climb hundreds of dollars higher afterward, depending on the loan’s terms.

Current jumbo mortgage rate moves lower, -0.02%

The average jumbo mortgage rate today is 6.94 percent, a decrease of 2 basis points over the last seven days. This time a month ago, the average rate on a jumbo mortgage was unchanged, at 6.94 percent.

At the average rate today for a jumbo loan, you’ll pay $661.28 per month in principal and interest for every $100,000 you borrow. That’s a decline of $1.34 from last week.

Summary: How interest rates have shifted over the past week

  • 30-year fixed mortgage rate: 6.87%, down from 6.88% last week, -0.01
  • 15-year fixed mortgage rate: 6.23%, down from 6.26% last week, -0.03
  • 5/1 ARM mortgage rate: 5.79%, down from 5.80% last week, -0.01
  • Jumbo mortgage rate: 6.94%, down from 6.96% last week, -0.02

Interested in refinancing? See rates for home refinance

Today’s 30-year mortgage refinance rate goes up, +0.02%

The average 30-year fixed-refinance rate is 7.01 percent, up 2 basis points over the last seven days. A month ago, the average rate on a 30-year fixed refinance was lower, at 6.97 percent.

At the current average rate, you’ll pay $665.97 per month in principal and interest for every $100,000 you borrow. That’s an increase of $1.34 over what you would have paid last week.

Where are mortgage rates headed?

The days of sub-3 percent mortgage interest on the 30-year fixed are behind us, and rates have so far risen beyond 7 percent in 2022.

“Low interest rates were the medicine for economic recovery following the financial crisis, but it was a slow recovery so rates never went up very far,” says McBride. “The rebound in the economy, and especially inflation, in the late pandemic stages has been very pronounced, and we now have a backdrop of mortgage rates rising at the fastest pace in decades.”

Comparing different mortgage terms

The 30-year fixed mortgage is the most popular loan for homeowners. This type of loan has a number of advantages, including:

  • Lower monthly payment: Compared to a shorter term, such as 15 years, the 30-year mortgage offers lower payments spread over time.
  • Stability: With a 30-year mortgage, you lock in a consistent principal and interest payment. Because of the predictability, you can plan your housing expenses for the long term. Remember: Your monthly housing payment can change if your homeowners insurance and property taxes go up or, less likely, down.
  • Buying power: With lower payments, you can qualify for a larger loan amount and a more expensive home.
  • Flexibility: Lower monthly payments can free up some of your monthly budget for other goals, like saving for emergencies, retirement, college tuition or home repairs and maintenance.
  • Strategic use of debt: Some argue that Americans focus too much on paying down their mortgages rather than adding to their retirement accounts. A 30-year fixed mortgage with a smaller monthly payment can allow you to save more for retirement.

That said, shorter-term loans have gained popularity as rates have been historically low. Although they have higher monthly payments compared to 30-year mortgages, there are some big benefits if you can afford the upfront costs. Shorter-term loans can help you achieve:

  • Greatly reduced interest costs: Because you pay off the loan faster, you’ll be able to pay less interest overall.
  • Lower interest rate: On top of less time for that interest to compound, most lenders price shorter-term mortgages with lower rates.
  • Build equity faster: The faster you pay off your mortgage, the faster you’ll own value in your home outright. That’s especially handy if you want to borrow against your property to fund other spending.
  • Debt-free sooner: A shorter-term mortgage means you’ll own your house free and clear sooner than you would with a longer-term loan.

Are mortgage rates going up?

Throughout 2021, mortgage rates are expected to begin rising again. The National Association of Realtors expects rates to average 3.1% and the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) says mortgage rates will average 3.3% in 2021. These rate estimates are both up from the 3.0% mortgage rate average in 2020 but lower than 2019’s average rates. Many experts say it could be years before mortgage rates return to their pre-pandemic levels.

Sources:

  • National Association of Real Estate Editors
  • Freddie Mac Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

What comes next:

Featured lenders for today, May 9, 2023

Source: bankrate.com

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When you’re considering applying for a mortgage, one of your top questions is probably “What is the monthly payment going to be?”

For a 100K mortgage, the payment on a 30-year loan at 7% interest would be $665.30. For a 15-year mortgage loan term, the payment increases to $898.83, which helps you pay off the loan sooner and pay less in interest costs over the entire loan.

Your own loan will depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to fluctuating interest rates. Here’s what goes into a 100K mortgage, what income is required to get one, and what your payments would look like over the life of the loan.

Total Cost of a 100K Mortgage

The total cost of a 100K mortgage goes beyond the monthly payment. There are upfront costs and ongoing, long-term costs to consider, all of which affect how much house can you afford.

Upfront Costs

Upfront home loan costs can include:

•   Closing Costs: There are costs you need to pay to get a mortgage, but they are not a part of the original loan. These are known as closing costs and include things like the mortgage origination fee, the cost of an appraisal, attorney fees, title fees, taxes, prepaids, and other expenses. With the average closing cost on a new home adding between 3% and 6%, that works out to $3,000 to $6,000 on a 100K mortgage.

•   Down Payment: Unless you are able to obtain a 0% down payment loan, you’ll need some money to afford the down payment on a 100K mortgage loan.

The average down payment on a home is 13%, as per the National Association of Realtors®. This works out to $13,000 on a $100,000 home.

If you don’t quite have this amount, there are other types of mortgage loans that offer low down payment options. 3% and 3.5% are common, which would come out to $3,000 and $3,500 for the down payment on a 100K home.

Long Term Costs

Here are the ongoing costs of a mortgage loan:

•   Interest. The biggest expense you’ll have over the life of the loan is interest. Interest costs are huge, especially in an economy with higher annual percentage rates (APRs). You’ll pay more in interest than you do in principal if you keep the mortgage loan for the whole 30-year loan term.

For a $100K mortgage with a 30-year term and 7% APR, the interest costs total $139,508.90.That’s on top of the $100,000 original loan amount. Adding the two together, you’re looking at paying $239,508.90 for the original 100K mortgage. Take a look at our mortgage payment calculator or the amortization table further down if you’re more curious about this amount.

•   Escrow. You may pay for taxes and insurance through your escrow account every month. This expense doesn’t go away, even when you pay off your mortgage. The amount of tax and insurance varies by state and policy.

Estimated Monthly Payments of a 100K Mortgage

Payments on a 100K home will ultimately be determined by your loan term and interest rate. And the interest rate is determined by a number of factors. Of course, the Fed’s rate matters, but so too do such aspects as:

•   Credit score. A good credit score can afford you a lower interest rate on your mortgage.

•   Down payment. Generally, putting down a larger down payment affords you a lower interest rate.

•   Home location. There are certain areas where you may be offered a lower interest rate just because of where you live.

•   Loan amount. If you need a larger loan, such as a jumbo loan, you’ll usually see a higher interest rate. The same can be true of much smaller homes, such as tiny homes.

•   Interest rate type. If you choose a loan with an adjustable APR, you may initially have a lower interest rate.

•   Loan type. You’ll see different interest rates based on what loan type you’re using. Examples include VA loans, FHA loans, and a USDA loan which may offer a lower (or no) down payment as well as lower interest rates.

•   Loan term. Choosing a mortgage term that’s shorter can help you score a lower interest rate.

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Recommended: First-Time Homebuyer Guide

Monthly Payment Breakdown by APR and Term

It’s helpful to see what potential mortgage loan payments on a 100K mortgage may be, adjusting for term length and APR variance. Keep in mind these costs do not include escrow items, such as taxes or insurance.

APR Monthly Payment on a 30-Year Loan Monthly Payment on a 15-Year Loan
3.5% $449.04 $714.88
4% $477.42 $739.69
4.5% $506.69 $764.99
5% $536.82 $790.79
5.5% $567.79 $817.08
6% $599.55 $843.86
6.5% $632.07 $871.11
7% $665.30 $898.83
7.5% $699.21 $927.01
8% $733.76 $955.65
8.5% $768.91 $984.74
9% $804.62 $1,014.27
9.5% $840.85 $1,044.22
10% $877.55 $1,074.61

How Much Interest Is Accrued on a 100K Mortgage?

Each month, your payment is split into principal and interest payments. Those interest payments go to the bank as payment for lending you money. Principal payments go toward the original loan amount and pay down the loan.

The longer the loan term, the more you’ll pay in overall interest. For a 100K mortgage on a 30-year term with a 7% APR, the interest costs total $139,508.90 on top of the original loan.

On a 15-year term with the same parameters, the interest costs are a more modest $61,789.09. Yes, your monthly payments are higher, but the difference between a 15 vs. 30 year mortgage with 7% APR is significant.

Recommended: Home Loan Help Center

100K Mortgage Amortization Breakdown

The amortization of a 100K mortgage shows how much of your monthly payment pays off the loan each month.

You can see in the early years of your mortgage, more of your monthly payment goes toward interest, and very little of your loan is paid off. In later years, more of the payment will go toward the principal.

Year Monthly Payment Beginning Balance Total Amount Paid Interest Principal Ending Balance
1 $665.30 $100,000.00 $7,983.60 $6,967.81 $1,015.79 $98,984.19
2 $665.30 $98,984.19 $7,983.60 $6,894.39 $1,089.21 $97,894.95
3 $665.30 $97,894.95 $7,983.60 $6,815.64 $1,167.96 $96,726.96
4 $665.30 $96,726.96 $7,983.60 $6,731.21 $1,252.39 $95,474.55
5 $665.30 $95,474.55 $7,983.60 $6,640.66 $1,342.94 $94,131.59
6 $665.30 $94,131.59 $7,983.60 $6,543.59 $1,440.01 $92,691.55
7 $665.30 $92,691.55 $7,983.60 $6,439.49 $1,544.11 $91,147.41
8 $665.30 $91,147.41 $7,983.60 $6,327.86 $1,655.74 $89,491.65
9 $665.30 $89,491.65 $7,983.60 $6,208.17 $1,775.43 $87,716.19
10 $665.30 $87,716.19 $7,983.60 $6,079.81 $1,903.79 $85,812.38
11 $665.30 $85,812.38 $7,983.60 $5,942.19 $2,041.41 $83,770.95
12 $665.30 $83,770.95 $7,983.60 $5,794.61 $2,188.99 $81,581.94
13 $665.30 $81,581.94 $7,983.60 $5,636.38 $2,347.22 $79,234.69
14 $665.30 $79,234.69 $7,983.60 $5,466.70 $2,516.90 $76,717.75
15 $665.30 $76,717.75 $7,983.60 $5,284.75 $2,698.85 $74,018.87
16 $665.30 $74,018.87 $7,983.60 $5,089.64 $2,893.96 $71,124.88
17 $665.30 $71,124.88 $7,983.60 $4,880.45 $3,103.15 $68,021.68
18 $665.30 $68,021.68 $7,983.60 $4,656.10 $3,327.50 $64,694.16
19 $665.30 $64,694.16 $7,983.60 $4,415.56 $3,568.04 $61,126.09
20 $665.30 $61,126.09 $7,983.60 $4,157.62 $3,825.98 $57,300.08
21 $665.30 $57,300.08 $7,983.60 $3,881.03 $4,102.57 $53,197.49
22 $665.30 $53,197.49 $7,983.60 $3,584.46 $4,399.14 $48,798.32
23 $665.30 $48,798.32 $7,983.60 $3,266.46 $4,717.14 $44,081.14
24 $665.30 $44,081.14 $7,983.60 $2,925.44 $5,058.16 $39,022.95
25 $665.30 $39,022.95 $7,983.60 $2,559.78 $5,423.82 $33,599.10
26 $665.30 $33,599.10 $7,983.60 $2,167.69 $5,815.91 $27,783.17
27 $665.30 $27,783.17 $7,983.60 $1,747.26 $6,236.34 $21,546.80
28 $665.30 $21,546.80 $7,983.60 $1,296.45 $6,687.15 $14,859.60
29 $665.30 $14,859.60 $7,983.60 $813.02 $7,170.58 $7,688.98
30 $665.30 $7,688.98 $7,983.60 $294.64 $7,688.96 $0.00

What Is Required to Get a 100K Mortgage?

When you’re applying to qualify for a mortgage, lenders look for a few key things to approve your application.

•   How much debt you will be carrying. Lenders look for your monthly payment to be lower than 28% of your gross monthly income. A 100K mortgage payment at 7% interest on a 30-year term is $665.30. For this payment to be less than 28% of your monthly income, your monthly income needs to be over $2,376, assuming you have no debt. This turns into a $28,512 yearly salary requirement to afford a 100K mortgage payment.

If you have debt, the calculation changes a little bit. Your lender will add your monthly debts to your projected monthly mortgage payment. These two numbers added together need to be less than 36% of your monthly income. This calculation a lender does is known as the debt-to-income ratio, or back-end ratio.

•   Credit score. It’s advisable to have a credit score of 620 or higher when applying for a mortgage loan.

•   Consistent work history. If you are unemployed, self-employed, or have recently changed jobs, lenders may be less likely to approve your loan. They may worry about your having a steady enough income to make your payments.

The Takeaway

A 100K mortgage will have a monthly cost that varies depending on such factors as the loan’s interest rate, the term of the loan, and whether it’s a fixed- or variable-rate loan. By understanding more about how the cost of a mortgage is calculated, plus the related costs, you can be better prepared for the milestone of being a homeowner.

When you’re ready to apply for a mortgage, SoFi will be there for you. Our rates are competitive, and we offer flexible loan terms and down payment options (as little as 3% for first-time homebuyers) to suit your needs. The online application simplifies the process, and our dedicated Mortgage Loan Officers can help you every step of the way.

See how smart and simple a SoFi Mortgage Loan can be.

Photo credit: iStock/AndreyPopov

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What is the true cost of home ownership? A closer look at which is best between a 30 year fixed mortgage rate or a 15 year fixed mortgage rate…

Have you ever been a situation where you wanted to buy something really bad? Maybe it was something that you wanted really bad, but you really didn’t quite need it. 

Just for hypothetical sake, let’s say you really need (I’ll say want) the new Apple iPad and with its nice entry prices of $499.  You have to buy it, but unfortunately, you don’t have the cash right now, so you buy it on credit. 

Everyone else is doing it, why not you?

Needing a line of credit you head to the first lender and they strike you a deal that will allow you to pay it back over 3 months of $200 per month. 

Over the 3 months you’ll pay a total of $600 of which $100 is interest.  Not sure you if you’re getting the best deal you shop around and head to the 2nd lender. 

The 2nd lender entices you with a sweet offer that only makes you pay $125 month but you do so for a 6 month period.  The grand total you’ll pay is $750 of which $250 is interest. 

Although with the second lender you pay less per month, it takes you longer to own your iPad and you end up paying one and a half times what it is actually worth!  How bad do you really need it?

Which Loan Would You Choose?

If a similar situation, would lender would you borrow from? As I’m sure you can tell, there is a lot of similarity in buying a home. When you’re deciding between a 15-year mortgage and a 30-year mortgage, be sure to consider and weigh all the pros and cons before making your decision.

Pros in Choosing A 30 Year Mortgage Rate Over 15 Year Mortgage Rate

In general, the reason most homebuyers take out a 30-year mortgage is because they cannot afford (or think they cannot afford) a higher monthly payment.

But if you can find a way to make a 15-year mortgage rate work within your budget, it could really pay off in the long run.

You would own your home sooner and pay less for it (ultimately), and you would probably also lock in your mortgage at a lower interest rate.

For example … Let’s say you want to buy a house for $300,000. If you took out a 30-year fixed rate mortgage at 6.5%, you’d pay around $1900 per month. In the end, you will have spent $300,000 on your house, and $382,633 on interest. That’s a total of $682,633 … over twice the price of your home.

If you bought the same house with a 15-year fixed rate mortgage at 6.0%, your monthly payment would be about $2,532.

However, at the end of 15 years, you will have spent only $455,682. That’s $300,000 on the house and only $155,682 on interest.

That’s $226,951 less than with the 30-year mortgage!

What could you do with an extra $226,951?

That “extra” money could be invested, used to fund your child’s education, used to renovate the house, etc.

It’s up to you to decide if the additional money paid each month is worth the long-term payoff.

But remember … the term is shorter, too. Imagine owning your home before your kids start college.

You’re only sacrificing monthly for 15 years, and then … no more payments. It’s all yours!

Cons in Choosing 15 Year Mortgage Rate Over 30 Year Mortgage Rate

Being over zealous in paying down your home mortgage does have it risks.  The first

What are the downsides? Well, the most obvious downside is that the monthly payment is higher.

This can mean significantly altering your spending habits.

Another downside: by paying less interest, you’ll get less of a tax deduction.

Making an Extra Payment

While the attraction of having your house paid off in 15 years sounds exciting, it’s a pipe dream for many.  My wife and I had toyed with the idea of choosing a 15-year mortgage for our new house, but when we started to crunch the numbers we realized that we were dreaming and dreaming big.

Our solution was to make an extra payment per year. 

For example, if you use the example above, a $300,000, 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at 6.5% and if we contribute just $200 extra each month (0r $2400 per year) toward the principle,  we could potentially pay off our mortgage nearly 7 years sooner and save over $100,000 in interest.

For us,  we get the benefit of paying off the mortgage sooner while not having to be tied down to a higher monthly payment in case we have any unexpected jolts to our income later on in life.  Typically, this is the same method that I would suggest to most. 

There’s a lot of value in flexibility and leaving your options open.


Source: goodfinancialcents.com