The Basics of 30 Year Mortgage Rates
If you have not applied for a new home loan in quite some time, this article will explain the very basics of the home loan known as the fixed rate mortgage. This is a relatively easy mortgage to understand and is familiar to individuals who are purchasing or refinancing a home. As this is one of the biggest expenses you may encounter in your life, knowing a little about this type of mortgage will lay a foundation for you to be able to research both fixed rate mortgages as well as other mortgage products which have their foundation in this basic model.
This fixed rate mortgage is one of the more common mortgage products. Typically when people discuss the need to get a home loan or a mortgage, or even a refinance, they’re often referring to the fixed rate mortgage. Typically when you hear an advertisement for a mortgage company or other lending institution, you’ll most likely hear rates quoted for a 30 year fixed mortgage. There are certain requirements when companies advertise mortgages that are based on a “truth in lending” act sponsored by the federal government. And although not followed directly in each state, when you hear ads for a specific rate, there should be an indication of what type of mortgage product that rate is associated with.
The fixed rate mortgages have a specific time period with them, such as a 30 year fixed rate mortgage. There are also 15 years which are probably the second most common. I have also seen 20 year and 40 year mortgages. Lenders have different programs that will work with what you are looking for. There are enough lenders out there that it would be uncommon to find a loan officer who couldn’t give you multiple options with your loan duration.
One of the main benefits to the fixed rate mortgage is that your monthly payment won’t change for the duration of the loan. In many companies in the US, you’ll also have the advantage of being paid every 2 weeks. If you setup your mortgage to work on this same two week payment schedule, you’ll end up making 26 payments per year (52 weeks per year / 2 for every other week) which is the equivalent of 13 months of payments instead of 12 months. Of course this option can be worked out at the time you’re applying for your loan as well.
There are several loan products or mortgage programs that have what is known as a “balloon” payment where payments are made either directly to the interest as in the case of an interest only loan or even interest and principal with a lump sum due at the end of a given period (usually a couple of years). The fixed rate mortgage is different in this regard, at least the traditional style of mortgage here this article discusses. When you pay off your mortgage with a fixed rate mortgage, you owe nothing more to the bank or lender. There is no need to refinance your home or come up with cash to pay towards a lump sum payment or balloon payment. This style of mortgage is probably the most conservative of the various mortgage products.
On a typical 30 year fixed rate mortgage, you’ll pay your monthly payment of which a percentage of that amount would go toward the principal and the other percentage goes towards interest. This is done on a sliding scale, so the first years of the mortgage, you’ll be paying more in interest to the bank than paying down your loan. This is as designed by the banks who fund these mortgages. Their expectation is that they get their interest paid to them before you’re “allowed” to use more of your regular monthly payment to go towards the principal. This is all done behind the scenes, but it is interesting to know that you won’t start paying more towards your principal than interest until year 22 of your mortgage. There isn’t anything to prevent you from paying down your mortgage early, however, and may be a very good idea depending on your life situation.
Getting a fixed rate mortgage is a good program for a large percentage of home owners in today’s society. Keep in mind, however, that this is not the only option. But, if you understand the basics of the fixed rate mortgage, you’ll better understand the other mortgage products that are available as they are explained to you by your loan officer. It’s important to find someone you can trust to work with on your home loan. This will get you most of the way to where you need to be for getting a mortgage or looking into refinancing.
Did you find this article interesting at all? If so, I have a website that is dedicated to mortgages in Utah that covers not only the basics for the state of Utah, but mortgage information in general as well. You can also review additional information about mortgages from Brian’s other website about Salt Lake City Mortgages.
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