Compare The Best Mortgage Rates in Elkins, WV

Compare Elkins, WV Mortgage Rates

When looking to buy a new home, it is important that one is well equipped with the necessary information. It helps, in the long run, to reduce the cost of transacting. Therefore, getting the best mortgage rates is of paramount importance. Needless to say, affordable rates are also important to those seeking to refinance their current home loans. MyRatePlan endeavors to assist you in finding the best mortgage rates in Elkins, WV.

What Loan Types are Available in Elkins, WV?

Buying a home can be confusing. There are multiple loan products in Elkins, WV 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.

FHA Home Loans Available in Elkins, WV

Besides fixed-rate mortgages and ARMs, there are also other categorizations that can apply to home loans, including whether the loan is backed by the government or not. Traditional mortgages are only made through the lender and don't involve the government, but with some mortgages, the federal government either guarantees or insures the loan. Examples include FHA loans, USDA loans and VA loans.

FHA loans get their name because they are backed by the mortgage insurance program of the Federal Housing Administration, an organization that's controlled by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD for short. One benefit of FHA loans in Elkins, WV is that it's not just first-time homebuyers who are able to apply, as they're a valid loan option for any borrower. For the lender, the advantage with these loans is that the government is providing insurance, and this will cover what the lender would lose in the event of a borrower default. Borrowers benefit by not needing as large a down payment, as down payments can be just 3.5 percent with FHA loans. However, the borrower needs to cover the cost of mortgage insurance, meaning they have bigger monthly payments.

Refinancing a Mortgage in Elkins, WV

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 Elkins, WV with a low interest rate even without hitting all the strictest standards.