First, make sure you are comparing current mortgage rates for the same type of mortgage. Mortgage rates and closing costs can change significantly from one day to another, so if you are comparing offers from multiple lenders it must be done on the same day. For example, if you are shopping mortgage rates and have a quote for a 30 year fixed at 5.75%, only compare it to other 30 year fixed quotes at 5.75%.
Next, compare the total of all points and lender fees for each mortgage (from section 800 to 813 on the Good Faith Estimate), that is the price of the mortgage. The lender with the lowest cost has the best mortgage rates.
If you are refinancing, you will also need to review the cost of title insurance, closing/attorney, and appraisal. Some large national companies have negotiated excellent rates for these services on your behalf. The company with the lowest combination of points, fees and third party costs for the same rate and product has the best mortgage rates.
Things to Watch Out For
APR is not always accurate, so it should not be used. To get the best mortgage rates, compare current mortgage rates and closing costs.
Good Faith Estimates are just estimates. Many brokers and lenders will give you a low ball estimate, and then after you have paid for your appraisal, they will inform you that the mortgage rate or closing cost have gone up. Look for lenders that guarantee their closing costs up front.
There is nothing wrong with No/Zero Closing Cost Loans. Just be aware that you will be looking at higher mortgage rates in exchange or if you are refinancing, the closing costs could be included in your principal.
Paying higher points and fees will result in lower mortgage rates. For example, at 7% you may have zero points and fees, while at 6% you may have points and fees of $3000. To get the best mortgage rates, you must estimate how long you will have the mortgage. Also, make sure you are comparing current mortgage rates when doing your comparison.
What are Closing Costs?
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Closing costs consist of three main groups: third party costs, mortgage taxes & lender fees.
- Third party costs are fees that you or the lender pays on your behalf for you to obtain a mortgage, including appraisal fee, credit report fee, title fee and attorney fee. When home refinancing review these costs carefully as some lenders may have lower costs.
- Mortgage taxes will be exactly the same between all lenders, so they do not have to be reviewed.
- Points and lender fees are essentially what the lender charges to originate your home loan when home refinancing and for a new home loan. Points and fees should be reviewed carefully.
Refinance Today – What it can do for you
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Completing a Mortgage Refinance can be a smart way to improve for your financial situation. Depending on your circumstances you may want to undergo mortgage refinancing for any of the following reasons:
- Mortgage Refinance To Lower Your Mortgage Rate & Payment
Even a small reduction in your mortgage rate can have a significant impact in the long-run. Refinancing to lower your monthly payment frees up cash flow, so you can utilize your money more effectively. Furthermore, if you plan to stay in your home for a long time, you may want to mortgage refinance and consider buying down your rate to reduce your monthly payment. If you have equity in your home, home loan refinancing could enable you to lower your mortgage payment significantly.
- Mortgage Refinance To Consolidate Debt
If you have debt outside of your mortgage and you have equity in your home, it’s time to refinance your home loan. You are likely paying a much higher interest rate on credit cards and auto loans, and by mortgage refinancing you could roll all of these debts into one tax deductible loan. Credit card interest rates can be as high as 25%. Refinancing your home to pay off and consolidate debt under one low mortgage rate is a smart maneuver. A well structured home refinance could save you a great deal of money.
- Mortgage Refinance To Get Cash Out Of Your Home
Completing a mortgage refinance can get you cash out of your home for a variety of purposes, including education expenses, vacations, other investments, home improvements and more. Mortgage refinancing is a much better option than using credit cards or personal loans.
- Mortgage Refinance To Pay off Your Home Loan Faster
A mortgage refinance can be structured to pay off your home quicker. Instead of refinancing into a typical 30 year mortgage, you could get a 20, 15, or even 10 year fixed so you pay it off quicker. Also, many home refinance loans give you the option of paying more on your principal every month so you can pay down your home loan fast as well. Refinancing allows you to move into any type of mortgage loan.
- Mortgage Refinance To Move To A Fixed Rate From An ARM
Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) are great when mortgage rates are low. However, as rates increase that ARM quickly becomes a significant burden. That’s when it is time to consider mortgage refinancing into a fixed rate loan. Especially if you plan on staying in your home for a few years, a refinancing your mortgage makes a great deal of sense. Refinancing into a stable fixed rate may give you peace of mind. More on fixed rate mortgages.
- Mortgage Refinance To Eliminate Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)
If you were unable to make a down payment of at least 20% when you first obtained your mortgage loan, you may be paying PMI. If your house has appreciated and/or you have paid down your existing mortgage, you may be able to mortgage refinance your home to eliminate your monthly PMI payment. Along with possibly lowering your rate, a mortgage refinance could reduce your monthly mortgage payment considerably.
Home Mortgage Loan Types
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Home loans offered include fixed rate, adjustable rate, interest only, FHA, VA, USDA mortgages and more. Plus, the mortgage rates for any home mortgage loan can differ widely.
Fixed Rate Home Mortgage Loans
With a fixed rate home loan you don’t have to worry about your monthly payment changing…ever. Your mortgage rate and payment are fixed for the life of your home loan. Fixed rate mortgage loans range from 10 to 40 years.
FHA Home Mortgage Loans
FHA home loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration. Although FHA mortgage rates may typically be higher than conventional mortgage loans, FHA home loans offer many advantages including low down payment requirements, flexible credit guidelines as well as the ability to lend in declining markets.
VA Home Mortgage Loans
VA home loans are guaranteed by the US Department of Veteran Affairs. These mortgage loans are offered specifically to eligible veterans for home purchases, rate & term home loan refinances or cash-out mortgage loan refinances. VA loans offer many advantages to qualified veterans.
Debt Consolidation Home Mortgage Loans
If you have debt outside of your home loan, you are likely paying a much higher interest rate than you should be. Credit card interest rates can be as high as 25%. Refinancing your home mortgage loan to pay off and consolidate debt under one low mortgage rate is a smart maneuver. Refinancing your home loan could save you a great deal of cash every month.
Cash Out Home Mortgage Loans
You can obtain a refinance home mortgage loan to get cash out for a variety of purposes, including education expenses, vacations, other investments, home improvements and more.
Adjustable Rate Home Mortgage Loans
With an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM), you can lower your monthly mortgage loan payment because mortgage rates for ARMs are usually lower than traditional fixed rate programs. If you plan on selling or refinancing your home in less than 10 years, then an adjustable rate mortgage loan may be right for you.
Interest Only Home Mortgage Loans
With interest only home loans, you only pay interest during the initial interest only period. This type of home mortgage loan allows you to lower your initial mortgage rate, lower your initial monthly payment, qualify for a larger loan amount and free up cash for other uses.
USDA Home Mortgage Loans
USDA home loans are offered in rural areas as determined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA’s mission is to help lower income households obtain home loans at reasonable mortgage loan rates. USDA home loans offer many advantages to qualified borrowers.
Divorce Buyout Home Mortgage Loans
Many home mortgage loans are tailored for people with special circumstances. The Divorce Buyout Mortgage allows one spouse to keep the house, possibly get cash out if needed, and remove the other spouse’s name from the current home loan, thus eliminating any undue financial liability for the home loan.
Home Loan Pre-Qualification vs. Pre-Approval
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While shopping for a home loan, brokers and lenders will offer to pre-qualify or pre- approve you for a mortgage. Home loan pre-qualification and pre-approval are different and distinct processes, so it is important for you to understand the difference.
Pre-Qualified
A loan officer or loan processor working for a mortgage lender or broker can typically pre-qualify you for a home loan within an hour. Getting pre-qualified for a home loan is a good first step that will let you know if you should proceed to the pre-approval process. To get pre-qualified you will need to complete a mortgage application and allow the broker or lender to pull your credit. They will review the mortgage application and your credit and let your know if you are pre-qualified.
Pre-Approved
Only a mortgage underwriter can pre-approve you for a home loan, loan officers and processors can not. Typically mortgage brokers do not have underwriters on staff, so they typically can not pre-approve your home loan. A valid pre-approval is the best tool you can have when shopping for a new home. The key is to ensure that it is valid. A valid pre-approval has been underwritten by an authorized underwriter (an underwriter is the final person that says your loan is approved). If an underwriter pre-approves your home loan application upfront, all you have to do is find the home you want, have it appraised, and then you should be able to close in just a few days. Some mortgage brokers and lenders will issue pre-approvals that have not been reviewed by an authorized underwriter, be sure to ask.
To get pre-approved for a home loan you will need to provide the underwriter with your income and asset documentation (W2’s, Bank Statements, etc). The underwriter will review your credit, mortgage application, documentation, and then approve you for a set loan amount and property value. Once you have been pre-approved for a home loan you are ready to start shopping. The process typically takes a couple of days.
Knowing exactly what type of home loan you can obtain will allow you to shop and negotiate with confidence. For example, you could inform a seller that you are pre- approved for the mortgage and you are prepared to close next week. If the seller needs to close quickly, it will not matter if there is another buyer that cannot close for weeks or months. Plus, sellers do not like to take their properties off of the market for long periods of time. The ability to close quickly is one way to get a great deal.
To get pre-approved for a home mortgage you will need to provide the underwriter with your income and asset documentation (W2’s, Bank Statements, etc). The underwriter will review your credit and then approve you for a set loan amount and property value. Once you have a pre-approved real estate mortgage you are ready to start shopping.
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