Current Mortgage Rate Comparison
FAQ and General Information
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.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
Is it possible to reduce my closing costs?
If you are refinancing, you could reduce some costs by asking your lender about them. Example: your lender could use your last home appraisal or your other credit reports or even recertify old documents for cheaper then getting new documents.
Will the lender require a fee to lock in my interest rate?
For a traditional 30-90 day rate lock, the lender will not require the borrower to pay a lock fee, but for the privilege of locking for a period beyond 90 days they may. Some lenders allow borrowers to lock and then float the rate down one time during the cheap mortgage process, typically a borrower is required to bring in a fee of ½-1% of the mortgage amount which is then credited (or refunded) to them at closing. It is a lock fee the lender requires to insure the transaction will in fact close.
Is Home Mortgage Refinancing the right option for me?
Look at your mortgage related goals: are you looking to improve your monthly cash flow, reduce your mortgage term, do you need to take out cash utilizing the equity from your home? Obtaining the right mortgage for your particular needs could make sense even when rates are not at their lowest levels. First identify your goal and contact a mortgage professional for suggestions on mortgage programs that would best help you meet your objectives. Then shop for rates after you have selected the appropriate mortgage program.
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.