60 Second Mortgage Tip: The Myth of Ultra Low Mortgage Interest Rate

This is your :60 Mortgage Tip with AmeriFirst Home Mortgage. With mortgage interest rates at historic lows, be wary of ultra-low advertised rates. First time home buyers are especially susceptible to this situation. Listen to this story about how a real lender was able to advertise a VERY low interest rate because of the up-front fees it charged. One of our clients recently asked us to match a 2-point-5-percent interest rate they saw advertised. True story. We investigated the offer and found the lender could get that interest rate...IF the borrower paid more than 75-hundred dollars up front. Closing costs usually run only a couple-of-thousand dollars. So this lender wants to get you in the door with a VERY low rate, then have you pay a ton up front. Your take away? Interest rates aren't always what they seem.

60 Second Mortgage Tip: Low Advertised Interest Rates Fact or Fiction? 

Let's talk more about fees or points. You may decide to pay points to lower your interest rate.
Your mortgage professional will go over your options with you to help figure out whether bringing in extra cash at closing to lower the interest rate makes sense for your situation. Extending your lock period will cost you more, increasing your cash to close. Be sure to respond to your loan officers requests for information or documents in a timely manner. This will help ensure your rate lock period will not need to be extended. Keep in mind, locking in a rate does not obligate you to commit to the loan until it’s actually closed. 

Locking your rate is a security measure to protect you against market ups and downs during your loan process. It’s part of a standardized process we have in place to make sure you have the best possible experience securing your home mortgage loan. Knowing your needs during the loan process and working side by side with you will help ensure you get the best rates possible, keeping you on your financial path. Our team at AmeriFirst has done this time and time again, and we’re ready to do this for you.

Download "The Essential Guide to Buying Your First Home" and learn more about the mortgage process like FICO credit scores and down payments. The free guide is at the button below.

(stopwatch: Flickr user Julian Lim)