Compare The Best Mortgage Rates in Shaftsburg, MI

Comparing Mortgage Rates in Shaftsburg, MI

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 Shaftsburg, MI 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.

What Loan Types are Available in Shaftsburg, MI?

Buying a home can be confusing. There are multiple loan products in Shaftsburg, MI that can be used for buyers who need a loan to purchase their house. Take a look at a few of the most common types of loans that are available and consider the ones that are best suited for your personal situation.

Fixed-rate mortgage loans - A fixed-rate mortgage loan will always have the same interest rate for the duration of the loan. With this type of loan, you never have to worry about your monthly payment changing. It will be the same exact payment amount, every month, every year, without fail. This is even the case for long-term financing options. An example of this is a 30-year fixed-rate loan.

Adjustable-rate mortgage loans - Adjustable-rate mortgage loans are also known as ARMs. Their interest rates may adjust periodically. An ARM will usually fluctuate every year after the initial fixed period is up. ARMs are also referred to as a “hybrid” product because they start with a fixed interest rate and then switch to an adjustable one. One example of an ARM loan is a 5/1 loan. A 5/1 loan will start off with an initial fixed interest rate for the first five years and then adjust once a year to a different rate.

Shaftsburg, MI 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 Shaftsburg, MI, 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 Home Loan in Shaftsburg, MI

Although the term is technically refinancing, how this process really works is the borrower applies for a brand-new mortgage, which they use to pay the previous mortgage. The point of refinancing is that the new mortgage has a better interest rate than the old one, and this means that the borrower saves money by paying less interest on the remainder of their loan. The borrower should note any extra costs that come with the new mortgage, as there could be fees and closing costs involved. It's important that they do the math to make sure they're actually saving money when those fees are taken into account. However, if the borrower is making the switch from an ARM to a fixed-rate home loan, that's always a good move because they're not at the mercy of what happens with interest rates, which tend to increase, not decrease. When refinancing a mortgage, it's important for the borrower to get their credit score over 700 and minimize their debt-to-income ratio to look as low risk as possible to potential mortgage lenders and secure the lowest possible interest rate. The good news is that even a borrower who doesn't meet all the highest standards could still find a mortgage in Shaftsburg, MI with a low interest rate.