Compare The Best Mortgage Rates in Woodlawn, VA

Comparing Mortgage Rates in Woodlawn, 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 Woodlawn, 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.

Different Types of Mortgages on the Market in Woodlawn, VA

Since different types of buyers have different mortgage needs, there are many different home loan products out there. Two important mortgage types every borrower needs to understand are fixed-rate mortgages and variable mortgages.

When a home loan has one interest rate throughout its entire term, no matter the length, then it's a fixed-rate mortgage, which got that name because the interest rate is fixed in place. Since the interest rate never changes, the monthly payment amount doesn't either, and the borrower will always know what their monthly payment is going to be. This is true even if they have a 30-day mortgage. Fixed-rate mortgages tend to be a smart, low-risk option, because the borrower doesn't need to worry about their interest rate increasing and suddenly having a higher home payment every month as a result.

The other option is an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) in Woodlawn, VA. As the name suggests, this is a mortgage where the interest rate adjusts on occasion. A popular variation on this is a hybrid ARM, which essentially combines the fixed-rate mortgage with the ARM. For a predetermined initial period of time, the hybrid ARM operates as a fixed-rate mortgage with one interest rate. After that initial period ends, it switches to an ARM with an interest rate that changes on a specific schedule. An example would be a 5/1 ARM home loan. That five indicates that the home loan has one interest rate for the first five years, and then it switches to an adjustable rate. That one indicates that the interest rate adjusts every one year after the initial period. The obvious drawback with ARMs and hybrid ARMs is that the borrower could end up paying more if interest rates go up.

FHA Mortgages in Woodlawn, 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 Woodlawn, 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 a Home Loan in Woodlawn, VA

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 Woodlawn, VA with a low interest rate.