First-time homebuyer tips
Mortgage
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Complete guide to mortgages
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Complete home buying guide
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Guide to closing costs
Mortgage
Use our national survey of lenders to find the right mortgage rate for you.
On Tuesday, July 14, 2020, according to Bankrate’s latest survey of the nation’s largest mortgage lenders, the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 3.140% with an APR of 3.410%. The average 15-year fixed mortgage rate is 2.730% with an APR of 3.020%. The 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) rate is 3.080% with an APR of 3.860%.
Lenders nationwide provide weekday mortgage rates to our comprehensive national survey to bring you the most current rates available. Here you can see the latest marketplace average rates for a wide variety of purchase loans. The interest rate table below is updated daily to give you the most current purchase rates when choosing a home loan. APRs and rates are based on no existing relationship or automatic payments. For these averages, the customer profile includes a 740 FICO score and a single family residence. To learn more, see understanding Bankrate's rate averages.
| Product | Interest Rate | APR |
|---|---|---|
| 30-Year Fixed Rate | 3.140% | 3.410% |
| 30-Year FHA Rate | 2.970% | 3.540% |
| 30-Year VA Rate | 2.980% | 3.130% |
| 30-Year Fixed Jumbo Rate | 3.190% | 3.260% |
| 20-Year Fixed Rate | 3.170% | 3.390% |
| 15-Year Fixed Rate | 2.730% | 3.020% |
| 15-Year Fixed Jumbo Rate | 2.800% | 2.850% |
| 5/1 ARM Rate | 3.080% | 3.860% |
| 5/1 ARM Jumbo Rate | 2.980% | 3.590% |
| 7/1 ARM Rate | 3.160% | 3.790% |
| 7/1 ARM Jumbo Rate | 3.190% | 3.680% |
| 10/1 ARM Rate | 3.380% | 3.830% |
Rates as of at 6:30 AM
Bankrate has been the authority in personal finance since it was founded in 1976 as the “Bank Rate Monitor,” a print publication for the banking industry. Bankrate has been surveying and collecting mortgage rate information from the nation’s largest lenders for more than 30 years. Hundreds of top publications, such as The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, CNBC and others, depend on Bankrate as a trusted source of financial information, so you know you’re getting information you can trust.
In addition to comparing mortgage rates, you can compare lenders to find a match for your needs and preferences, such as the ability to apply for a loan online, the availability of certain loan products and terms, and whether there are fees or opportunities to save. To help you know your options, below, Bankrate has listed the biggest large-bank lenders in the U.S., based on originations in 2019, and important information about each. Keep in mind that in addition to banks, you can find mortgage offers from credit unions and independent institutions, as well.
Overview: Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, a division of Wells Fargo, is one of the largest lenders in the U.S. As a full-service lender headquartered in San Francisco, California, it offers a wide range of mortgage options. Homebuyers can find conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo, fixed-rate and adjustable-rate (ARM) mortgages. Refinance and home equity opportunities are available as well.
Mortgages from Wells Fargo are available in all 50 states; however, it doesn't have branch locations in Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Vermont or West Virginia. The application process can be started online or via phone.
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Overview: As one of the biggest players in the mortgage industry, Chase Home Lending — a division of JPMorgan Chase — is a full-service lender headquartered in New York.
Chase offers a broad selection of homebuying programs, including conventional, FHA, VA and jumbo loans with fixed and adjustable-rate (ARM) options. It also offers rate-and-term refinancing, cash-out refinancing and home equity lines of credit. Loans are available in all 50 states.
One standout feature the lender offers is the Chase Closing Guarantee, which is a program that guarantees an on-time closing (as soon as three weeks after submitting documents) for current customers buying a new home. If the lender isn’t able to close on time, borrowers receive $2,500 cash back. Borrowers can prequalify for a loan online, in person at a branch or over the phone.
What to know:
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Overview: Bank of America originates loans in all 50 states. The Charlotte, North Carolina-based lender is one of largest in the U.S. and offers conventional, FHA, VA, jumbo, low-down payment, fixed-rate and adjustable-rate (ARM) loans. It also offers rate-and-term and cash-out refinance options. Home equity lines of credit are available as well.
Borrowers can apply entirely online, via phone or in person at a branch. Lending specialists are available to answer borrower questions at any time during the process.
What to know:
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Overview: U.S. Bank is the fifth-largest bank in the nation and also one of the biggest originators of mortgage loans. Based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. Bank provides home loans to borrowers in all 50 states, with a large selection of loan products. Borrowers can choose from fixed- and adjustable-rate financing on conventional, FHA, VA, jumbo, investment property and new construction and lot loans.
U.S. Bank also offers traditional, cash-out and streamline refinance options, as well as home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs). Borrowers can prequalify and apply completely online, by phone or in person at a branch.
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Overview: Based out of Troy, Michigan, Flagstar Bank is a subsidiary of Flagstar Bancorp. This large full-service lender offers a broad selection of purchase, refinance and home equity options to borrowers nationwide. The bank's mortgage division operates online and through 88 home loan centers in 27 states.
Home loan options available through Flagstar include fixed-rate, adjustable-rate, conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, HFA, jumbo, high balance and multiple property loans. It also provides refinance and home equity loans. Borrowers can start their application online, in person at a branch or by phone.
What to know:
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A mortgage is a type of loan designed for buying a home. Mortgage loans allow buyers to break up their payments over a set number of years, paying an agreed amount of interest. Mortgages are also legal documents that allow the home seller to claim the property if the buyer doesn’t make their payments. It also protects the buyer by forbidding the seller from taking the property while regular payments are being made. In this way, mortgages protect both the seller and the buyer.
A mortgage is a home loan that uses your house as collateral. There are many types of mortgages, from government-backed loans designed for people who meet certain criteria like veterans (VA loans) or first-time homebuyers (FHA loans) to privately-owned loans.
The repayment options also vary. The most common mortgage requires the borrower to pay it back over 30 years, but there are also 20- and 15-year mortgages.
Mortgages also come with interest. There are two ways people can deal with interest: fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages. Fixed-rate mortgages lock in the interest rate you qualify for so it never changes over the life of your loan. Adjustable-rate mortgages start with one rate but may move up or down at set intervals as interest rates change. So in a rising-rate environment, your interest rate will also rise.
The difference between APR and interest rate is that the APR (annual percentage rate) is the total cost of the loan including interest rate and all fees. The interest rate is just the amount of interest the lender will charge you for the loan, not including any of the administrative costs. The APR is a more accurate picture of how much the loan will cost you.
There are three main types of mortgages: conventional, government-insured, and jumbo loans, also known as non-conforming mortgages.
Mortgage terms, or how long you have to repay a mortgage, varies. The most common term is a 30-year mortgage, which allows borrowers to pay over 30 years. Of course, borrowers can have a 30-year mortgage and pay it off faster (which will reduce the total amount of interest you pay), but they’re not obligated to.
There are also 20- and 15-year mortgages. Typically, mortgages with shorter terms also have lower interest rates. So while you’ll end up paying more each month with a 15-year mortgage because you are putting more towards principal, the total of your payments will be much less than if you spread it out over 30 years.
The best mortgage type depends on your budget and financial goals. Some people want lower monthly payments, even if that means paying more in interest over the life of the loan; in that case, a 30-year mortgage is likely the best option. Whereas others might be able to afford bigger monthly payments and want to minimize the amount of interest they pay, which would make the 15-year mortgage a better choice.
As far as interest rates, a fixed-rate is usually the best choice for folks who plan on staying in their home longer than a few years. Because adjustable-rate mortgages (or ARMs) usually have a lower interest rate to begin with, people who are going to sell their house within a couple years (or before they expose themselves to higher interest rates) might choose that option.
There are so many different loan types, each designed for different purposes. Some loans are ideal for first-time homebuyers with a small down payment and mediocre credit score (like FHA loans), but they also come with more restrictions than conventional mortgages. Whatever loan you choose, be sure to weigh the pros and cons -- it’s different for every homebuyer.
The amount you can borrow depends on a variety of factors, including how much you’re qualified for (depending on your income, among other factors) as well as what type of loan you have. Conforming mortgages have limits while jumbo loans allow borrowers to exceed the conforming limits.
As the country moved to reduce the spread of coronavirus by shutting down non-essential businesses, millions lost jobs — and without income, many homeowners are concerned about their ability to pay their mortgage. In fact, in Bankrate’s latest survey, 54 percent of borrowers expressed concern about making payments, including 35 percent feeling “somewhat” or “very” concerned.
Meanwhile, those still able to pay their mortgage may have a higher-than-average interest rate, preventing them from saving. Bankrate’s recent homeowner’s savings survey found that most homeowners, 77 percent, say their mortgage payments negatively impact their ability to save for retirement.
“Big mortgage payments take a bite out of your monthly income but are also a major obstacle to saving for retirement, emergencies, or other financial goals,” says Greg McBride, CFA, Bankrate chief financial analyst.
If you haven’t already, contact your lender about your mortgage relief options. And, if you’re still able to make mortgage payments, consider reducing them by refinancing your mortgage for a better interest rate. Right now, the average refinance rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is 3.190% percent — a near historic low. Be sure to compare refinance rates and use a refinance calculator to estimate your potential savings.
With a lower mortgage payment, you can focus on paying down debt and saving for other needs and emergencies. To get started, create a budget, and aim to prioritize high-interest debt and cut back on discretionary expenses when possible. Learn more about managing your finances during the pandemic in this guide.
The first step in getting the best mortgage rate is to decide what type of mortgage best suits your goals and budget. Typically, 15-year mortgages have lower rates but larger monthly payments than the more popular 30-year mortgage. Similarly, adjustable rate mortgages usually have lower rates to begin with, but the downside is that you’re not locked into that rate, so it can rise.
Once you’ve determined what type of loan works for you, then you should shop around. With so many lenders to choose from, borrowers should comparison shop to get the best rate. Be sure to look at the APR, not just the interest rate. The APR is the total cost of the loan (which includes the interest rate and other fees). Some lenders might have the same interest rate but different APRs, which means you’ll be charged more in fees.
The right time to get a mortgage is when your budget allows for it. Some people wonder if waiting for rates to drop is a good idea, but experts say it’s not. Because there are a variety of factors that influence mortgage rates, there’s no way to accurately predict if rates will rise or fall.
The only way to get a personalized mortgage rate is to apply for a mortgage. The good news is that most lenders don’t charge application fees and applying with multiple lenders (to see who offers the best rate) won’t negatively affect your credit score.
Lenders consider your credit score, income, debt-to-income ratio and sometimes assets when determining what mortgage rate you’ll get. Lenders give high-risk borrowers (those with low credit scores, high debt-to-income ratio) higher interest rates to offset their exposure and vice versa, those with a strong credit profile get lower mortgage rates.
Mortgage lenders come in all shapes and sizes, from online companies to old-fashioned brick-and-mortar banks — and some are a mix of both. Decide what type of service and access you want from a lender and balance that with how competitive their rates are. You might decide that getting the lowest rate is the most important feature for you, while others might go with a slightly higher rate because they can apply in-person, for example.
Some banks offer discounts to existing customers, so you might be able to save money by getting a loan at the same place where your savings or checking account is.
Mortgage rates can change by lender every day, which means there’s no one lender that always has the best rates. Keep in mind that rates also differ by the borrower. So, the same lender might charge Borrower A 3.25 percent and Borrower B 4.25 percent. The reason for the drastic difference is their credit profile. Lenders reward high credit scores and low debt-to-income ratios with low mortgage rates because there’s less risk of defaulting on the loan. As credit tightens, some lenders will only lend to people with stronger credit profiles.
Variable rates usually move in the same direction as the federal funds rate, so adjustable-rate mortgages would be affected. The federal funds rate, however, doesn’t directly affect long-term rates, which include financial products like 30-year fixed-rate mortgages; those tend to move with the 10-year Treasury yield.
Discount points help home buyers to reduce their monthly mortgage payments and interest rates. A discount point is most often paid before the start of the loan period, usually during the closing process. It is a type of prepaid interest made on the loan.
The cost of a point depends on the value of the borrowed money, but it is generally 1 percent of the total amount borrowed to buy the home. You can read more about discount points here.
A mortgage rate lock freezes the interest rate. The lender guarantees (with a few exceptions) that the mortgage rate offered to a borrower will remain available to that borrower for a stated period of time. With a lock, the borrower doesn’t have to worry if rates go up between the time they submit an offer and close on the home.
Refinancing your mortgage can be a good financial move if you lock in a lower rate. However, there are upfront costs associated with refinancing, such as appraisals, underwriting fees and taxes, so you’ll want to be sure the savings outpace the refinance price tag in a reasonable amount of time, say 18 to 24 months.
Learn more about refinance rates here.
Determine how much of your monthly payment will go toward the principal and how much will go towards interest.
