Current Mortgage Rate Comparison
FAQ and General Information
What is an interest only home loan?
An interest only mortgage is loan with which you can just pay the interest or the interest and portion of the principal whenever you want during the predesignated amount of time. These loans can be 20-year fixed or adjustable rate mortgages.
What is the difference in rate for non-owner occupied vs. owner occupied financing?
Conforming non-owner occupied rates are typically 3/8% higher than owner occupied interest rates. The equity requirement is usually higher for non-owner occupied mortgages as well, typically 20-30%.
What is the difference between 0 point and no cost mortgage?
With no cost mortgage, a borrower has accepted a higher interest rates, with the trade off that the lender or broker will pay for all their non-recurring closing costs. With 0 point mortgage, a borrower has opted not to pay points to buy their interest rates down but will still be paying for their base closing costs.
Is it a good idea to pay points for a lower rate?
If you are refinancing mortgage, paying points is not always your best option. Points paid for refinancing can be deducted only in small amounts from your taxes, so it could take couple of years before you benefit from a lower rate.
How much will closing cost?
Generally you will need around 2% of the purchase price to cover the time between when you close and your first mortgage payment. But when refinancing , your old mortgage should have money in escrow to cover these costs.
How much Homeowner's insurance coverage do I need to get new mortgage?
A safe bet is to buy a guaranteed-replacement-cost policy that will generally pay out 20-50% more than the face value of the policy to rebuild your home (this is also the preferred policy of mortgage lenders). A replacement-cost policy typically adjusts the amount of insurance each year to keep pace with rising construction costs in your area. It is important to note that local building codes require structures to be built to specific standards which could vary over time, if your home is severely damaged, you may be required to rebuild it to current codes. Even guaranteed-replacement-cost polices do not always cover this expense. However, many insurers offer an endorsement that will pay for the upgrading cost, it is a good idea to consider adding such an endorsement to your replacement-cost policy.
How long will I have to repay the second mortgage?
Some second mortgage loans could go for 20 years and some could require repayment in same year. You should discuss the repayment terms with lenders and pick one who offers the best terms for your needs.
Will the lender require an appraisal of the property?
Yes, the property is the collateral for the morgage, therefore an appraisal is almost always required and if a borrower pays for the appraisal he or she is definitely entitled to receive a copy of it.
What is APR?
APR is annual percentage rate and its purpose is to give borrowers a truer representation of the effective interest rate on their mortgage. APR factors in certain closing costs and fees and spreads these costs over the life of the mortgage, along with the note rate, to arrive at a more accurate annualized percentage rate than the note rate alone represents.
Will my interest rate for second mortgage change?
If your loan is fixed-rate, the interest rate is set for the duration of the loan. Many lenders will offer variable rate mortgages, and these can provide for periodic interest rate changes. If your contract lets your lender adjust the interest rate, make sure to understand when excatly can the lender change the interest rate and if there are any limitations on how much the rate can change.
How much money can I borrow with home equity line of credit?
Depending on your your income,credit history, and the amount of your debt, home equity lenders could lend you up to 80% of value of your home less the amount owed on your mortgages.