Compare The Best Mortgage Rates in Clearlake, CA

Comparing Mortgage Rates in Clearlake, CA

When it comes to getting a home loan, either to buy a home or refinance the terms on a current mortgage, interest rates are very important. A low interest rate can save the borrower a substantial amount of money over the term of the loan. Those looking for the best mortgage rates in Clearlake, CA can use MyRatePlan to get all the tools and other info they need. When borrowers do their homework and compare home loan rates before committing to anything, they can ensure they don't end up paying more interest than necessary.

Types of Mortgages Available in Clearlake, CA

There are many different types of home loan products available for buyers in Clearlake, CA these days. This includes adjustable-rate mortgages and fixed-rate mortgages. Let us delve deeper into the kind of home loans available and who they are best suited for.

The fixed-rate home loan is highly suitable for people who do not want to worry about the fluctuation in the financial market and the changes in the interest rates that follow. The interest rates stay the same during the entire period of the repayment. Whether the repayment period is three years or thirty years, the installment amount would remain the same.

Adjustable-rate mortgages, or ARMs, have interest rates that can change at periodic intervals. Typically, the rate of interest in this kind of loan would remain same initially but would change every year. It is also referred to in the financial world as the hybrid loan as the interest rate would initially stay same for five years, and change every year after that. The rate of interest is fixed as per the basis point fluctuation in the market.

Clearlake, CA FHA Home Loans

There's more to the buyer's choice than a fixed-rate mortgage or an ARM. The buyer also needs to figure out if they want to go with a mortgage that's insured by the government, including a FHA or a VA, or stick with the more conventional type of loan, which doesn't have any insurance or guarantee from the federal government. When it comes to government-backed mortgages in Clearlake, CA, there are three options, which are FHA Loans, USDA Loans and VA Loans.

FHA loans are a popular option, and they're available through the Federal Housing Administration's mortgage insurance program. The federal government's Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) handles this program. One major benefit of FHA loans is that just about any type of borrower can be eligible, as they're not only available to people who are purchasing a home for the first time. The way the loan works is that the government is providing insurance for the lender against any losses that could occur if the buyer defaults on their mortgage. For the buyer, one perk of an FHA loan is that they don't need to have as much of a down payment saved, because the down payment could be as little as 3.5 percent of the home's price. Typical down payments are between 10 and 20 percent. The drawback with FHA loans for the borrower is that they're also responsible for paying for mortgage insurance, and this means larger monthly payments.

Refinancing a Mortgage in Clearlake, CA

It may be called refinancing, but when a borrower does that, what they're really doing is applying for a completely new home loan. If they're approved for that home loan, they can use it to pay off their previous home loan and only make payments on this new one. Since it's a new mortgage, there may be fees and closing costs involved. For this reason, it's vital that the borrower considers those extra costs and whether they will be outweighed by the savings of a lower interest rate. There is one situation where it's always smart to refinance, and that's if the borrower is getting a fixed-rate home loan to replace an ARM. That's because interest rates are trending upwards, meaning an ARM will likely cost more in the future, not less. When a borrower wants to refinance a home loan and get the best rate, they must make sure they represent as little risk as possible to mortgage lenders. They can do this by getting their credit score as high as possible, at least above 700, and maintaining a low debt-to-income ratio. Although it's good to be low risk, borrowers should also note that it is possible to get a home loan in Clearlake, CA with a low interest rate even without hitting all the strictest standards.