Buying a home is no less than an adventure. First, you need to know your home affordability and then apply for a home loan program. And a home loan always comes with a mortgage rate, a rate that you need to pay over the life of the loan. For this, you would like to get the lowest mortgage rate.
But how could you ensure the lowest mortgage rates in Houston? Well, a good credit score and down payment can help you with this. So, you should try to boost your credit score and save a lot for the down payment. Do you still have questions about the lowest rate? Looking for the answers? Here, we have listed down a few questions and answers for you –
- Will I opt for a fixed-rate or ARM?
Mortgages have either fixed or adjustable interest rates. With a fixed-rate, you will lock yourself into an interest rate that will be the same over the life of the loan. The part of your mortgage payment that goes toward principal along with interest remains the same throughout the loan term, but property taxes, insurance, and other costs can change. On the flip, the interest rate on an adjustable-rate mortgage can change over time. It generally begins with an introductory period of 3, 5, 7, or 10 years, during which your interest rate holds steady. After that, the rate can vary.
- May I need to pay points?
Discount points refer to the fees borrowers pay to reduce the interest rate on their mortgages. One point is 1% of the loan amount that generally reduces the mortgage rate by 0.25%. But the reduction can vary. By paying discount points, you shell out thousands of dollars upfront to save a few dollars every month. It takes several years for the monthly savings to add up to where they exceed the initial amount paid. In case you don’t have any plan to have the loan for that long, it is a good idea to skip the discount points.
- What are the closing costs?
Closing costs are fees the lender and third parties charge. These costs don’t affect the mortgage rate. However, they do have an impact on your pocketbook. Closing costs generally amount to about 3% of the purchase price of your home and are paid at the time when you close or finalize the purchase. You are allowed to shop around for lower fees in some cases, and the loan estimate form will tell you which services you may shop for so you can reduce closing costs.
- Are there any special programs?
Before you settle on a mortgage, find out if you are eligible for any special programs, which makes it less costly. Many states offer first-time homebuyers programs to first-time buyers and the ones who have not owned a home in the last three years. You can check these programs.
Do you still have any questions regarding this? Feel free to ask your lender and then apply for the loan today!
