The decision to purchase a home is probably one of the biggest commitments in life that a person will make. It entails taking on a large amount of debt over a long number of years. Because it is such a large financial responsibility, it just makes sense for an individual to compare mortgage rates before they go through with the process. A small change in the interest rate can save a person in Columbia, CT thousands of dollars. Wirefly simplifies the process of discovering which home loans are best by comparing different scenarios and mortgage options so that individuals who are purchasing or refinancing a home get the best deal.
If you are looking to purchase a new home in the Columbia, CT area, you will likely need some sort of a loan in order to finance this large purchase. Nowadays, even the least expensive homes are valued at over $50,000. This makes it nearly impossible to purchase a home using cash. The question is, then, what do you need to do to obtain a home loan? And what factors are taken into consideration when determining your interest rate? When you are looking for a mortgage you will, of course, want to find one with the lowest interest rates that you possibly can. These are a few of the steps you will need to take when looking for the best mortgage with the lowest rates. When you finally locate your dream home, your real estate agent will probably have a few recommendations for you in the way of lenders. These will usually be described as “preferred lenders” that they have worked with in the past. You should always take this referral with a healthy dose of skepticism. Keep in mind that your real estate agent’s job is to close the sale as quickly as they can, not get you the best deal on a mortgage. Finding and securing a home loan is a long and arduous process that should not be rushed. This is especially true if this is your first time buying a house. Your priority should be on finding the best rates.
Check out both small, local lenders and big name, national companies when looking for a mortgage. Compare their rates online so you can truly be sure you are getting the best deal. Wirefly offers great mortgage tools that will let you easily compare rates from a variety of lenders in Columbia, CT. The main determining factor of your interest rates is your credit score. Before you apply for any home loans, try to boost up your credit score as much as possible. This way you can be sure that you are being offered the best rates.
Mortgage loans in Columbia, CT are designed for all types of buyers. Some individuals may be purchasing their home for the first time, and others may be refinancing to receive a lower interest rate. When a person goes to shop for a loan, they will find two main categories: conventional loans and government-backed loans. Conventional loans can be set up so that a person pays a fixed rate or a variable rate.
Fixed rate mortgages are typically offered in time spans that equal 30 years or 15 years. When a person decides to use a 30 year fixed-rate loan, they end up paying a fixed amount for the mortgage every month for the next 30 years. Their payment will go towards both principal and interest. Their interest rate will also stay fixed for those 30 years. In contrast, a 15 year fixed-rate loan has a time span that equals 15 years. This type of home loan will have a lower interest rate, but it will also have a higher fixed payment each month. An advantage of choosing a 30 year fixed-rate loan is that it makes a mortgage more affordable due to the lower monthly payments. However, a disadvantage is that a person will carry this type of loan for twice the time of a 15 year fixed-rate loan. A person must decide which is best for their budget.
An adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) is another type of conventional loan that is chosen by some individuals. It is easiest to show how this type of loan works with an example. A 3/1 ARM is a popular adjustable rate mortgage that is offered in Columbia, CT. If a person chooses this option, they will pay a fixed rate for three years and pay a variable rate for the next 27 years of the loan. This option is usually a wise choice for individuals who will not be staying in a house for an extended period of time. If a person thinks that they will be living in the home for longer than five years, they may want to consider a fixed-rate loan as interest rates could continue to rise year after year. They would be stuck with higher mortgage payments if they initially chose an ARM.
Fixed and adjustable-rate mortgages are not the only option that a person needs to consider when choosing a loan. He will need to decide if he wants a government-backed loan or a conventional loan. The loans insures by the federal government include an FHA loan, VA loan, or USDA loan. The Federal Housing Administration insures FHA loans. They are ideal for first-time homebuyers; however, anyone in Columbia, CT can apply for a loan. To be approved for this loan, individuals do not need perfect credit, and they only need a 3.5% down payment. The Department of Urban Development (HUD) manages FHA loans. The downside to these loans is that borrowers must pay for mortgage insurance which will increase the monthly payment amount. The Veterans Affairs insured VA loans to anyone who has served in the United States military. With these loans, the VA backs 100% of the loan, so no down payment is needed. The US Department of Agriculture insures USDA loans to people who live in certain rural areas and make a lower income. A conventional loan is not insured by the federal government. A higher down payment is needed, and individuals need good credit.
You might refinance your home for several reasons. You might want to lower your monthly payment amount, or you might want to shorten the life of your loan. You might need to get a lower interest rate. Whatever the reason, with a refinance loan, the lender will pay off your existing mortgage and replace it with a brand new loan. If approved, you will need to pay closing costs, and an appraisal will probably need to be done. Therefore, if you are refinancing to obtaining a lower interest rate, you need to make sure you are actually saving money. If you are refinancing to switch from an adjustable-rate to a fixed-rate, you will probably be saving money because rates will probably go up in the future instead of down. If you are looking for a new mortgage, try to keep your credit score above 700 and keep your debt-to-income ratio low. You want to give yourself the best chance of getting the lowest rate and saving money. Even if you do not meet the strict standards that lenders desire, it is still possible in Columbia, CT to get low rates.
