How to Get the Best Interest Rate on a Home Loan
Finding the most competitive interest rate on your home loan can result in savings of thousands of dollars over time. Even a few basis points can make a big difference, so it’s worth exploring all available mortgage deals to find one that meets all of your needs.
Lenders tailor your rates based on your credit history and other details about your financial life. To compare them side-by-side, apply with multiple lenders for quotes (officially called Loan Estimates) and receive multiple quotes.
1. Credit Score
Credit scores are one of the key elements lenders and creditors use when deciding whether or not to grant you credit, such as a mortgage. Your score reflects your history of paying off debt, how much owes, and which types of accounts have been opened or maintained. According to Ted Rossman, Bankrate’s senior industry analyst, it’s an easy way to see how you stack up against other borrowers.
A high credit score can make it simpler to acquire a home loan and lower your interest rate, saving you thousands of dollars over the course of your mortgage.
But, just like with any credit decision, it’s essential to remember that your credit score isn’t the only factor in determining whether or not you qualify for a loan. Other elements like income and debt-to-income ratio can also play an influential role.
Your credit score ranges from 300 to 850, with higher numbers signaling a greater likelihood of paying off debt. A score of 850 indicates an incredibly strong credit history and may even be required for government-backed loans like FHA or VA mortgages.
Lenders use your credit report to calculate a number known as your FICO score. This score is based on data from three major credit bureaus.
Your payment history and debt owed are two of the most influential elements in calculating your credit score; they make up 35% and 30% respectively of total score calculation.
Steps you can take to improve your credit can help boost your score, such as timely payments on outstanding debt and keeping credit card balances low. These actions also lower your credit utilization ratio–which measures how much of available credit you use–by decreasing utilization rates.
One way to boost your credit score is by disputing errors on your report. The credit bureaus allow this and will correct them if proved incorrect.
Loaning with bad credit isn’t impossible, but it may be more challenging to locate a lender willing to accept you. Lenders generally view those with credit scores below 580 as “subprime” borrowers and will usually require larger down payments or higher interest rates than those who have better credit ratings.
2. Down Payment
When buying a home, the amount of down payment you can afford is essential as it will influence the interest rate and terms you’ll get. Furthermore, your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio also plays a role; decreasing this number allows for homes that are more affordable in the long run.
Many lenders provide down payment programs ranging from 3% to 20%. You can find these loans at federal and private agencies as well as local banks, credit unions and nonprofit organizations.
Most homebuyers strive to put down at least 20% of the purchase price on their house, though this number can vary based on available funds. A larger down payment will save you thousands in interest and fees over the life of your mortgage and accelerate equity building faster.
A higher down payment will likely reduce your interest rate and save you money in the long run, since private mortgage insurance (PMI) is not necessary on most government-backed loans if you put down more than 20% of the purchase price.
As a homebuyer, making more of a down payment can make you more desirable and make it simpler to get approved for a mortgage. Furthermore, increasing your down payment increases your likelihood of finding an ideal home in your desired neighborhood and price point; showing lenders that you’re serious about becoming homeowners.
Additionally, a larger down payment may qualify you for homebuyer assistance programs offered by your state or city. These initiatives can reduce the need for a large down payment or cover closing costs and other expenses.
However, you should ensure you understand how these programs function and that they meet your requirements. Some are tailored towards low-income individuals, seniors or military service members so you should do your research to find the most suitable option for you.
To find the best loan program and option for you, it’s essential to shop around. Compare different lenders’ rates, fees and terms in order to find one that meets both your financial situation and objectives.
3. Loan Term
To secure the best interest rate on a home loan, you need an effective financial strategy in place. Fortunately, your lender should be able to assist in creating such a strategy so that your dream of owning your own house comes true. One of the first steps should be getting mortgage quotes from several lenders so you understand what options exist and which type of home loan you can realistically afford. This will give you insight into what the market is like and give you more clarity regarding what kind of rate is right for you.
A great starting point is using Credible to determine which of the many lenders in your area offers the most competitive rates on popular mortgage types. Plus, you can see if a lender is suitable for your individual circumstances as well.
4. Lender Fees
When shopping for a home loan, you’ll encounter lender fees which are an integral part of the cost to borrow money. According to ValuePenguin, these charges can range anywhere from 1% to 2% of your loan amount and play an important role in calculating how much it will cost you to finance your purchase.
Lender fees may include the cost of a credit check, underwriting or processing fee, application fee and appraisal fee. They could also include a commitment fee – an amount set aside by the lender in advance that must be paid when closing your loan so they can guarantee it to you.
Finding the best interest rate on your home loan requires comparison-shopping between several lenders. You can do this by browsing Bankrate’s list of lenders or getting rate estimates from different mortgage brokers. But make sure your personal credit and financial situation is suitable for a given lender to offer you competitive loan rates and terms. Your credit score, down payment amount and loan term all play a role in finding these rates; every lender weighs individual factors differently so don’t expect identical deals from every lender. If you’re not content with what’s offered then it may be time to start shopping around again.
