Homeownership is a dream that many individuals have. When it's time for them to purchase a house, there are many details that are involved with the process. One of these details is obtaining a home loan. The majority of individuals who purchase a house need some type of help in financing such a large sum of money. One aspect of a mortgage is the interest rate that a person will pay throughout the life of a loan. With such a large amount of money at stake, dropping the interest rate as little as a quarter point can save a home buyer thousands of dollars, depending on the size of the loan. This is why it pays to compare mortgage rates in Grapevine, AR. It broadens the chance of paying a lower amount for a mortgage loan.
Very few people can afford to pay for a home loan in cash. Therefore, individuals will need a mortgage to pay for the new home. Homes will range in price from under $50,000 to over a million. Even with the lowest priced home, it would be very difficult to purchase without a loan. There are several factors that influences the interest rate of a home loan. If a borrower has a good credit score, he is more likely to get a lower rate on the loan. Lenders will consider the borrow more likely to make payments if he has excellent credit. When comparing lenders, individuals want to find the lowest rate possible, so they will save money. It is not a good idea for borrowers to listen to their real estate agent or other people try to tell them which lender to choose. Real estate agents make a commission off of borrowers, and when a deal closes quickly, the agent will get paid sooner. Borrowers need to research their options and be patient. A home loan is a huge investment, so it is best not to rush the process. Individuals have numerous options when finding a lender. They can look at some local businesses in Grapevine, AR, or they can try a larger business. People should look at all rates to get the best comparison. Wirefly will give people an accurate rate tool, so they can find the lowest rates in Grapevine, AR.
Before a person considers applying for a mortgage in Grapevine, AR, he needs to be familiar with the types of mortgage options that are available. One of the things that borrowers need to decide is if they want a fixed-rate loan or an adjustable-rate loan. The most popular type of mortgage is a 30-year fixed-rate loan. With this mortgage, a person’s rate will stay fixed for the duration of the loan. Borrowers will always know what their monthly payment amount will be. For anyone who is a planner, this loan offers consistency and predictability. If a borrower gets a low interest rate and plans to stay in the home long-term, this is a good options. Some borrowers wish to shorten the life of their loan, so they choose a 20 or 15-year term. This will save money over the life of the loan. For some people, an adjustable-rate mortgage is the way to go. With this option, the rate will “adjust” every so often. Borrowers will start out with a low rate for several years. After the introductory period is over, the rate will increase or decrease; therefore, the monthly payment amount will change. If a person chooses this option, he needs to make sure he can make payments if they increase. The most common type of these “hybrid” loans are a 5/1 or a 7/1 adjustable rate mortgage. The rate will change annually after 5 or 7 years respectively.
Once you decide between an adjustable or fixed rate loan, you will also need to decide what type of lender you wish to borrow from. There are government insured lenders, like the FHA and the VA, or there are regular private lenders. A traditional mortgage loan is not guaranteed or insured by the federal government. This is the major difference between this type of loan and government-backed ones. There are three government insured types of home loans. They are USDA loans, VA loans, and FHA loans.
FHA loans are provided by the Federal Housing Administration. This program is managed by the federal government’s Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD. In this program, the government insures the lender for any losses that may occur if the borrower defaults on the loan. On the upside, with an FHA loan in Grapevine, AR, you are allowed to make a down payment of as little as 3.5% of the purchase price. On the downside, you are required to pay for mortgage insurance, which will make your monthly payments larger.
When interest rates drop, a homeowner in Grapevine, AR may want to consider refinancing their home loan. However, while a lower interest rate may save them a few dollars, they should also consider closing costs that would be due as this expense is tacked onto the process. If it is cost effective for them to refinance, they will have to make the decision of choosing a fixed rate or adjustable rate mortgage. This too could affect the interest rate. It probably would not make sense for a person who has a long period of time left on their mortgage to jump into an ARM.
Also, since a refinance is basically a new loan, a person's credit score will still indicate if they are eligible for a low interest rate. The criteria for each lender is slightly different but typically ranges in the region of 700 for a person to receive a low interest rate on their mortgage loan in Grapevine, AR. By keeping their credit clean and having a low debt to income ratio, a person will be in a better position to refinance their home at the lowest rate possible.
