Homeownership is a dream that many individuals have. When it's time for them to purchase a house, there are many details that are involved with the process. One of these details is obtaining a home loan. The majority of individuals who purchase a house need some type of help in financing such a large sum of money. One aspect of a mortgage is the interest rate that a person will pay throughout the life of a loan. With such a large amount of money at stake, dropping the interest rate as little as a quarter point can save a home buyer thousands of dollars, depending on the size of the loan. This is why it pays to compare mortgage rates in Harrietta, MI. It broadens the chance of paying a lower amount for a mortgage loan.
Buying a home is not cheap. Even the least expensive homes in Harrietta, MI cost a significant amount of money. A mortgage will probably be the most expensive bill that individuals will pay. It will be very difficult to pay for a home loan with cash, so most people will need to secure a loan to finance the purchase. The interest rate is how much money in interest a borrower will pay, and it is important for individuals to get the lowest rate. One factor that influences the rate is a person’s credit score. If a borrower has good credit, he is more likely to get a lower rate. It is important for people to get a reliable lender who will make sure you get a good rate on the loan. In some cases, a person’s real estate agent will recommend a lender they he would like you to use. It is not a good idea to just go with that lender. Keep in mind that the realtor wants to get paid, and the quicker the deal is closed, the faster he will get his money. It is important for borrowers to be patient. A lot of money is at stake, and individuals will probably be paying on the mortgage for years; therefore, do not rush the home loan process. People need to make sure they are not paying too much for the loan. Borrowers want to compare their options. They can look at their local bank in Harrietta, MI, or they can look at a nationwide company online. This is where Wirefly can be very helpful. We can help borrowers compare rates to ensure that they can see what rates are offered. If a person’s credit score is low, he might consider raising it before he applies for a home loan.
When a person goes into the process of finding a home loan, they will discover that there are a few different types available. Two of the most popular include fixed rate mortgage loans and variable home loans. These are known as conventional home loans and each option has its advantages and disadvantages.
When a person chooses a fixed rate home mortgage loan in Harrietta, MI, they are choosing a loan that has a fixed rate that does not change throughout the life of the loan. For example, if they lock in an interest rate at 4.25 percent for a time period of 30 years, they will have the same mortgage payment and interest rate month after month for the next three decades. The advantage of choosing this type of mortgage is that it allows a person to make a lower payment each month. This gives a person flexibility and a choice of using the cash elsewhere. Another option would be to choose a home mortgage with a 15 year time frame. Payments will be higher for this type of loan as it has to be paid off in a quicker amount of time. If an individual has the extra cash to choose this option, the advantage is that they eliminate their debt in half the time.
Choosing an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) in Harrietta, MI is another type of conventional loan and a great option for someone who does not expect to stay in their home for a long period of time. The advantage is that the initial interest rate for an ARM is much lower than a fixed rate home loan. An example would be a 3/1 ARM. With this mortgage, a person would have a fixed rate for the first three years. After that, the interest rate on the mortgage adjusts to a rate that equals the margin plus an associated index rate. When interest rates are on the rise, a person with this type of loan would risk paying a higher interest rate each year after the initial three-year timeframe. That can really add up over a time span of 30 years if interest rates keep rising.
After borrowers choose between a fixed and adjustable rate, they need to decide the type of loan that is best for them. Government-backed loans are available. The government loans that are available include FHA, VA, and USDA mortgages. The other type of loan that is offered is a conventional loan. A conventional loan is not insured by the federal government. The requirements for a conventional loan are more stringent than government-backed loans.
Anyone in Harrietta, MI is eligible to apply for an FHA loan. These loans are offered by the Federal Housing Administration, which is run by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD. People can qualify for this loan with less than perfect credit, and they only need to make a 3.5% down payment. One of the cons of this type of loan is that mortgage insurance is required, which will increase the monthly payment amount.
If people want to get a lower interest rate, lower their monthly payment amount, or shorten the life of their mortgage, they might choose to refinance their loan. Some people refinance to switch from an adjustable-rate loan to a fixed-rate loan. When refinancing, individuals will be getting a completely new loan. The old loan will be paid, and a new one will be created. Therefore, borrowers will still need to pay closing costs and other fees. People need to decide if refinancing their loan is worth the fees. Are they really saving money? If a borrower is switching from an adjustable-rate mortgage to a fixed-rate mortgage, he is likely to save money, so it is probably a good option. Rates are likely to increase rather than decrease. To get the best rate, borrowers need to keep their credit score above 700 and their debt-to-income ratio as low as possible. Even if a person’s credit score is not great, he can still get a home loan in Harrietta, MI with a low rate. Buying a new home does not have to be a stressful experience. People should let Wirefly do the work for them. Wirefly can compare rates and give borrowers the information to get the lowest rate available.
