Compare The Best Mortgage Rates in Fort Monroe, VA

Comparing Mortgage Rates in Fort Monroe, VA

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 Fort Monroe, VA 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 Types of Mortgages Borrowers Can Get in Fort Monroe, VA

The home loan marketplace includes a variety of loan products to appeal to the needs of different buyers, including fixed-rate home loans and variable home loans. As it's important to know how those two types of loans work, they're explained below.

A fixed-rate mortgage in Fort Monroe, VA gets its name because the interest rate stays fixed at one percentage for the full term length of the loan, regardless of whether the loan lasts five years, 10 years or 30 years. With the interest rate staying the same, the monthly payment also stays the same, which makes it easy for the borrower to set their budget and know how much their home payment is going to be.

An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) in Fort Monroe, VA has an interest rate that changes on a set time frequency. For example, the interest rate could adjust with the market every year. There are also hybrid ARMs which start out as fixed-rate home loans for a predetermined period of time, and then transition to ARMs for the remainder of the loan term. For example, a 7/2 ARM would have a fixed interest rate for the first seven years, and after that, the interest rate would adjust every two years. The difficulty with ARMs and hybrid ARMs is that the interest rate can go up and leave the borrower with a larger home payment, potentially stretching their budget to its limit.

FHA Mortgages in Fort Monroe, VA

While you will need to decide between a fixed- or adjustable-rate home loan, that isn't the only choice you need to make. You also must choose whether you'd prefer a loan that is backed by the government, such as an FHA loan, or a conventional loan instead. When we say conventional, we mean a mortgage that is not guaranteed or insured by the government. This is the primary difference between conventional loans and FHA, VA, and USDA loans, all three of which are backed by the government.

HUD, also known as the Department of Housing and Urban Development, is the governing body for all Federal Housing Loans. As these are federal loans, they are available to prospective homeowners in the Fort Monroe, VA area and include every buyer type, not just the first-timers. The government takes on the responsibility of ensuring the lender should any losses occur thanks to the buyer. An advantage for consumers is that you can make a potentially very low down payment. A disadvantage is you must maintain mortgage insurance, which will raise your overall payments.

Refinancing Mortgages in Fort Monroe, VA

In Fort Monroe, VA, refinancing a mortgage loan is like applying for a new one. The end result of this is that one may have to pay closing costs or any other fees required. This is, however, done when the loan is approved. If one seeks to refinance for the sake of enjoying lower rates, they should carefully consider the consequences of refinancing. The extra costs may offset some savings that one sees from refinancing. The exception to this rule is when one is refinancing from an adjustable rate loan to a fixed-rate loan. The reasoning is that the rates are more likely to go up in the future rather than going down.

Appearing as low-risk is the best strategy for those looking to refinance their mortgage. This can be achieved by keeping one's credit score above 700, keeping one's debt-to-income ratio low, and applying for a fixed-rate loan facility.