LOWEST INTEREST RATE MORTGAGE
Home buyers understand the importance of comparing mortgage rates from multiple lenders.
Though these numbers can vary by only a few percentage points, your mortgage rate can make an enormous difference in how much you pay for your home. That’s why The Low Rate Co. aims to be the lowest lender around, offering low-interest home loans that put your dream home within easy reach.
It Pays to Compare Mortgage Rates
Just how much does your mortgage rate impact your final cost? Let’s say you’re purchasing a home for $250,000. You’re able to make a 20% down payment, which means you’ll need to borrow $200,000.
Imagine you finance your home with a 30-year mortgage with a fixed interest rate of 6%. Over the lifetime of your loan, you’ll pay $231,676 in interest, totaling $481,676 for the cost of the house once you add your initial down payment back in. This also means you’ll pay $1,199 a month for your mortgage payment.
Now imagine you finance your home with a 30-year mortgage with an interest rate of only 5%. Your total interest drops to $186,510, for a grand total of $426,510 (again, factoring in your down payment). As a result, your monthly premiums drop to only $1,073.
In other words, a 1% difference in mortgage rates can save you $55,166 over the lifetime of your loan, or around $126 each month. Think of what your family could do with an extra $100 in your monthly budget.
It really does pay to compare rates to find the best deal.
Current 30-Year Mortgage Rates: Traditional Mortgages
For most borrowers, a traditional mortgage (sometimes called a “conventional mortgage”) is the best way to go. Traditional mortgages typically offer some of the lowest interest rates and best terms for qualified borrowers.
For traditional loans, current 30-year mortgage rates hover at around 6%, though the exact rate will vary by lender, the size of your loan, and your personal financial history.
No Need for a 20% Down Payment
Contrary to popular belief, borrowers don’t need to put up a full 20% down payment to secure a traditional home loan. Low-interest home loans are available to home buyers who put as little as 3% down, which means you can still qualify for a traditional mortgage even if you don’t have a lot in your savings account. Just be aware that any time you make a down payment under 20%, you’ll be asked to pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI). This fee is usually 0.2-2.25% of the home’s total value (depending on how much you put down) and can be rolled together with your monthly premiums.
Traditional Loan Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the best low-interest home loans, you’ll need strong credit and an equally strong debt-to-income ratio. The best rates and terms often go to borrowers with a credit score of at least 680. But even if your credit isn’t the best or you carry a lot of debt, many lenders can still work with you to help you find a suitable lending option.
Current 30-Year Mortgage Rates: Specialized Loan Programs
Some home buyers might want to consider other loan programs that offer lower eligibility requirements to help first-time borrowers. Others offer lending options outside the boundaries of a traditional mortgage.
If you’re looking to save money on your home purchase, consider one of the following financing options from the Low Rate Co.
FHA Loans
An FHA loan is a lending option backed by the U.S. Federal Housing Administration (FHA). These loans are a reliable option for borrowers who don’t meet the eligibility requirements of other loan programs. Current 30-year mortgage rates for an FHA loan tend to be around 6.5%, though they can have an APR well over 7%. This makes them slightly more expensive than traditional mortgages, but their advantage lies in the fact that they make it possible to secure a loan even with a shaky financial history. For instance, you can qualify for an FHA loan even if your credit score is as low as 500. You’ll simply need to make a down payment of 10%. However, if your credit score is 580 or higher, you can put as little as 3.5% down. When you put down less than 20%, you’ll be expected to make monthly PMI payments.
VA Loans
Military members and veterans have access to VA loans. These are backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (formerly known as the “Veterans Administration”), though they can also be obtained through private lenders.
To qualify for a VA loan, you must be one of the following:
● A current member of the U.S. military
● A former member of the U.S. military
● A spouse of a current or former member of the U.S. military
● A spouse of a deceased member of the U.S. military
These loans don't require any down payment whatsoever, and the PMI requirement is waived.
Current 30-year mortgage rates for VA loans tend to be between 6% and 6.5%, which is slightly higher than a traditional mortgage. But a VA loan can be a great path toward affordable home ownership if you’re a military member or veteran and don’t have enough to cover a down payment.
Jumbo Loans
Jumbo loans are reserved for homes that exceed the loan limits set by the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO). This means home buyers can use a jumbo loan to buy a home in a high-value neighborhood. Current 30-year mortgage rates for jumbo loans can vary considerably. Some are available for under 6%, though others can climb higher to 6.9%, depending on the loan amount and lender. Jumbo loans can come in handy in a limited housing market. With less availability, buyers may look to purchase homes in upscale neighborhoods, or they may be pressed to buy after moving for a new job or other life change. Either way, jumbo loans can be used to secure financing for homes in high-cost communities.
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What Factors Affect Your Interest Rate?
Your Personal Credit Score
The absolute best mortgage rates and terms go to borrowers with a credit score of 740 or above. The lower your credit score, the higher you can expect your mortgage rates to climb. That’s why certain loan programs (such as FHA loans) are aimed at borrowers with less-than-perfect credit. But even if your credit history isn’t as great as you’d like, you still have no shortage of low-interest home loans available to you.
Your Debt-to-Income Ratio
Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio measures your monthly income against your monthly expenses. Many lenders prefer those with a DTI of no more than 43%, which means your monthly expenses can be no more than 43% of your total monthly income. If your DTI ratio is higher, you can still qualify for a home loan but may pay a slightly higher interest rate.
The Economy
Interest rates are often a reflection of the broader health of the country’s economy. Inflation can drive up interest rates, forcing prospective buyers to pay more for homes. Conversely, periods of job growth can cause mortgage rates to fall. With this in mind, if you can delay your purchase, you might consider waiting for a period of economic stability. But even if you’re purchasing a home during an economic downturn, The Low Rate Co. can help you secure financing that fits your budget.
Your Loan-to-Value Ratio
Your loan-to-value ratio is the relationship between the loan and the home’s total value. For example, imagine you purchase a home for $400,000 and are able to make a 20% down payment ($80,000). This means your loan will be $320,000. Your loan-to-value ratio is therefore 80% since you’re borrowing 80% of the home’s total value. A higher loan-to-value ratio means your lender will assume more risk in approving you for the loan. When lenders assume greater risk, you’ll pay higher interest rates. As a borrower, you’ll need to find the balance between a down payment and the resulting interest rates you take on. The Low Rate Co. is happy to work with you to find a loan program that meets your needs if you can’t afford a full 20% down payment.
Fixed vs. Adjustable Interest Rates
Lenders can offer two broad types of interest rates: fixed and adjustable. Fixed interest rates stay the same throughout the lifetime of your loan, while adjustable rates fluctuate based on market conditions. Some home buyers find a good deal with an adjustable mortgage, only to see their interest rate rise significantly over a short period. While mortgage rates can vary by loan type, many home buyers prefer the steadfastness and predictability of a fixed mortgage.
Lender Costs
Every lender is different. As such, borrowers need to weigh their options carefully. Lenders can adjust their mortgage rates based on their own internal policies, customer volume, or desire to cover internal business costs. These factors translate to higher mortgage rates for borrowers, so it’s always a good idea to compare rates from multiple lenders before making your final decision.
What’s a mortgage broker?
Mortgage brokers are INTERMEDIARIES. They don’t control the borrowing guidelines, timeline or final loan approval. Brokers are licensed professionals who collect your application and qualifying documentation, and can counsel you on credit report and finances. See where we are going with this? Although it can be beneficial to have a broker to help, it is not a mandatory step in buying your home.
How do they get paid?
Mortgage brokers charge a fee for their services, about 1% of the loan amount. That fee can be paid by the borrower or lender, but is usually paid upfront at closing by the borrower: YOU. In short, you are paying for a service you might not even need.
Which Is Better: A 15-Year or 30-Year Mortgage?
Lower Your Monthly Payments
With a 30-year mortgage, you have the flexibility to spread your payments out over a long period, thereby making each of your monthly payments lower. You’re still paying interest for 30 years, but the lower monthly payment allows you to more manageably fit home ownership into your budget.
Raise Your Purchasing Budget
By spreading your payments out over the lifespan of your loan, you’ll be able to take out a larger loan. In other words, a 30-year mortgage allows you to buy more house. With a higher purchasing budget, you’ll also be able to choose from a wider range of available homes, which can mitigate some of the stress of house-hunting.
Balance Your Family’s Budget
Regardless of your financial situation, you need a mortgage payment that fits comfortably into your budget. If your premium is too high, you have little margin for emergency expenses, retirement savings, or other expenses. Spreading your payments out over a 30-year period brings balance to your budget, allowing you to pay for your home while also being able to afford other obligations.
How the Low Rate Co. Offers the Lowest Mortgage Rates
With so many mortgage options to choose from, our customers often wonder how our business model allows the Low Rate Co. to consistently offer the lowest mortgage rates. The answer is simple: we put our customers first.
Other lenders often need to charge higher interest rates to cover their internal operating costs. Mortgage brokers promise to serve as an intermediary between you and the lender, but only for the added cost of a brokerage fee.
The Low Rate Co. eliminates these costs by leveraging the latest tools and technology. Our advisors are committed to finding you the best low-interest home loans and helping you secure funding as quickly as possible. They’ll work with you to assess your needs, evaluate your finances, and devise a strategy to offer you the most affordable mortgage rates in the industry, guaranteed.
Just Five Minutes Can Make a Difference
The Low Rate Co. is committed to offering extraordinarily low mortgage rates and making the home-buying experience more enjoyable. We make the process so easy that you can access low mortgage rates in as little as five minutes.
Set up your Low Rate Co. account now,and discover a new path toward home ownership.
