Compare The Best Mortgage Rates in Oxford Junction, IA

Compare Oxford Junction, IA Home Loan Mortgage Rates

Whether a prospective borrower is checking out mortgages in Oxford Junction, IA because they want to purchase their first home or refinance the mortgage on their current home, it's vital that they get the best mortgage rate possible. That's made much easier by MyRatePlan, which has all the data and tools borrowers need to check out mortgage rates and compare what's available from different lenders. By looking at all their options first, the borrower can make sure that they pay as little interest as possible on their home loan.

The Types of Home Loans Available in Oxford Junction, IA

Since there's an extensive range of different buyers out there, it makes sense that there are also quite a few different loan products on the market, including fixed-rate mortgages and variable home loans. Those are two of the most common types of mortgages, and each will suit different types of buyers.

When the buyer gets a fixed-rate home loan in Oxford Junction, IA, their interest rate stays the same throughout the whole loan term, whether that lasts for 10, 20 or 30 years. With the interest rate staying the same, the monthly payment amount also stays the same. A fixed-rate mortgage is a safe option, because the buyer never has any surprises with how much their home payment is.

As their name suggests, adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) in Oxford Junction, IA don't have one set interest rate. Instead, the interest rate can go up or down. The most common type of ARM is a combination of an ARM and a fixed-rate mortgage, sometimes referred to as a hybrid ARM. For an initial period, the mortgage has a fixed interest rate. After that, the mortgage's interest rate adjusts on a predetermined schedule. For example, a buyer could get a 6/2 ARM. The six means that the loan has a fixed rate for the first six years. The two means that after that initial period, the interest rate adjusts every two years. The issue with ARMs is that the borrower's monthly payment could go up.

FHA Mortgages in Oxford Junction, IA

Deciding between fixed-rate mortgages and ARMs isn't the only choice a prospective borrower must make. They also need to consider whether they want to stick with conventional mortgages or get a government-insured mortgage. With conventional mortgages, the contract is between the lender and the borrower. If the borrower defaults, the lender could lose money. With government-insured mortgages, the government is backing the mortgage and helping to cover the lender if a default occurs. This type of mortgage includes USDA loans, VA loans and FHA loans.

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgages have mortgage insurance provided by the FHA, which is itself managed by the government's Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). With FHA loans in Oxford Junction, IA, it's not just first-time buyers that can qualify but any type of buyer. Borrowers benefit from FHA loans because down payments can be just 3.5 percent of the home's price, but on the other hand, they also need to pay the mortgage insurance every month, which makes their home payment a bit more expensive.

Home Loan Refinancing in Oxford Junction, IA

If you wish to refinance a mortgage in Oxford Junction, IA, you should understand that the actual process involves applying for a separate, new mortgage. Keep in mind that you may need to pay for certain fees such as closing costs when completing this process. If your primary goal is to get a lower rate of interest via refinancing, take a moment to consider if the fees will allow you to offset the potential savings you want.

There is one exception if you wish to refinance by changing a fixed-rate loan into an adjustable-rate loan. Here, it is more common that rates will increase rather than decrease in the future. If you want the best possible rate on your home loan, the lending company needs to view you as a low-risk candidate. You should keep debt-to-income low and your credit score stable and high to give yourself the best chance at a fixed-rate loan. With all of that said, it is still possible to get home loan approval in Oxford Junction, IA even if you don't meet all criteria.