July 6, 2008
Points And Your Mortgage Rate
When you apply for a mortgage, the things most on your mind regarding the agreement is probably your mortgage rate. Although financial professionals such as mortgage brokers and Certified Mortgage Planners are available to help you find the best mortgage rate possible, it is also necessary for you to understand your mortgage rate options for yourself. Points are one way to lower your mortgage rate, and if you don't understand how points work, you could be missing out on lots of saving opportunities. Take the time to understand your mortgage rate and all aspects of it.
Points are how mortgage lenders help you lower your mortgage rate. You can pay points up front when you take out the mortgage to get a lower mortgage rate, and it does double duty by also putting equity into your home from the start. Every lender has different rules and conditions surrounding the payment of points to lower your mortgage rate, so be sure you understand how it works to proceed. Points are not a good idea for everyone, but may be able to help you save money in the long run by lowering your mortgage rate.
You pay a lump sum for each point. In turn each point is worth 1% of your mortgage rate. Lenders offer to let you pay off a certain amount of the mortgage rate with points, and that is how you save money, since your mortgage rate determines how much in interest you will be repaying the lender. When determining if paying points is right for you, taking into consideration how much you can afford to pay right away. Remember that your mortgage rate will not be your only cost-you will also need to pay closing costs and fees in addition to interest due to your mortgage rate. Don't cut yourself short.
Also taking into consideration the length of your loan. If you are paying back the loan over a longer period of time, it makes sense to lower your mortgage rate as much as possible. When you lower your mortgage rate, but have a short-term loan, such as you would if you plan to resell the home quickly, paying points to lower your mortgage rate is probably not a good idea financially, so don't let a lender talk you into it.
Should you pay off points to lower your mortgage rate? It really depends on your current mortgage rate as well as your mortgage's terms and conditions. Paying points is not for everyone, but it may be for you!
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