For many individuals in Athens, OH, purchasing a home is a necessity. It's a place to raise their children, and it provides community. However, it also brings on a high cost that is typically covered by a home mortgage. When a person decides to go through this process, they will want to analyze and compare mortgage rates that are available. Wirefly makes the process of doing this simple by offering a home mortgage analysis tool. It saves a person a great amount of time and helps them find a mortgage loan with a low interest rate. By taking the time to compare different home loans, a person will increase the chances of saving money over the long run.
If you are looking to purchase a new home in the Athens, OH 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 Athens, OH. 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.
There are many home loan products in existence today, especially in Athens, OH. However, the most prominent mortgages in this locality happen to be variable and fixed-rate home loans. When it comes to fixed-rate mortgages, the interest percentages at the beginning of the loan payment period are applied throughout the life of the mortgage. As a result, you can pay the same amount of money on a monthly or yearly basis depending on the duration of the mortgage. Rates in this type of home loan remain virtually the same, even if the mortgage might be on offer for an extended length of time. On the other hand, a variable mortgage or adjustable-rate mortgage loan has an interest rate that keeps on changing with each passing year. For this reason, the amount paid the previous year is prone to be slightly lower than that paid presently. However, monthly rates remain the same. When yearly rates begin to change, the Adjustable-rate mortgage loans (ARMs) graduate to what is commonly known as the hybrid ARM loan.
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 Athens, OH 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.
When interest rates drop, a homeowner in Athens, OH 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 Athens, OH. 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.
