Buy Your Home - The Mortgage Expert

Yes. Rates on owner occupied primary homes are typically 1% lower than a rental property. This is due to higher risk associated with investment properties. Simply put, if your life turns upside down due to unforeseen financial stress, you are more likely to do everything you can to save the property that you occupy with your family versus a rental property that might be empty or if you have issues with collecting rent from your tenant. Thus, makes sense why lenders adjust mortgage rates based on risk factors. Lower the risk, the better the rate. Higher the risk, the higher the rate.

Conventional loans have some notable benefits. If you have a strong credit score, you can often secure lower interest rates, which can save you money in the long run. Unlike certain other loans, there’s no need to pay an upfront mortgage insurance premium, and the monthly private mortgage insurance (PMI) payments may decrease over time as you build equity in your home. Unlike VA loans, there’s no funding fee to worry about. Conventional loans also come with higher loan limits, which can be advantageous if you’re looking at more expensive homes. You have the flexibility to choose the type and condition of the property you want to finance, and the application process can be faster. However, it’s crucial to thoroughly compare loan offers from different lenders and fully understand the specific terms and conditions before committing to a conventional loan.

FHA loans come with certain advantages that can benefit homebuyers. First and foremost, they allow you to purchase a home with a lower down payment, which is particularly helpful if you have limited savings. Even if your credit score is not impeccable, FHA loans offer more flexibility, making them an attractive option for first-time homebuyers. These loans often feature competitive interest rates, potentially leading to lower monthly payments. Additionally, if you decide to sell your home, the FHA loan can be transferred to the new buyer. FHA loans are government-backed, instilling confidence in lenders and frequently resulting in better terms for borrowers. They also offer special loans for home improvements. While these advantages exist, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of all associated costs and consult with FHA-approved lenders for personalized advice tailored to your specific situation.

It depends on the type of loan you are applying for. For instance, if you are getting an FHA loan, it doesn’t change your note rate whether your put the minimum 3.5% down or 20% down payment. On the other hand, if you are getting a conventional mortgage, there is a slight difference in the cost associates with the mortgage rate for a borrower putting 5% down payment versus another borrower that puts 20% down. Finally, on a conventional mortgage putting 20% down helps you avoid the PMI which results in a lower annual percentage rate (APR).

One of the most important factors that determines your mortgage rate is your credit score. The lower the credit score, the higher the interest rate. Usually any borrower with a credit score of 740 and higher receives the same rate as someone with a credit score of 800. On the other hand, below 740 credit scores, the lenders typically break up the rate adjustment every 20-point increment. For instance, a borrower with a credit score of 700 will have a higher rate than a borrower with a 720 credit score. This does not mean that a borrower with a 680 credit score cannot get the same rate as a borrower with an 800 score.

Risk plays a big factor on mortgage rates. The more equity you have in your property the less risk for the lender when it comes to conventional mortgage loans. For instance, if you are trying to get a loan for cash-out refinance, your interest rate is much better when the loan-to-value is under 60% of the property value.