Compare The Best Mortgage Rates in Ararat, VA

Compare Ararat, VA Mortgage Rates

Whether someone intends to buy a new home or refinance the mortgage on their current home for a better deal, it's crucial that they get the best possible mortgage rates. That's where MyRatePlan can make a world of difference in pulling up the best mortgage rates in Ararat, VA. We have all the info and tools a home buyer needs to research and compare mortgage rates, which will help them get the lowest interest rate and avoid paying any more than necessary for a home.

Types of Mortgages Available in Ararat, VA

There are many different types of home loan products available for buyers in Ararat, VA these days. This includes adjustable-rate mortgages and fixed-rate mortgages. Let us delve deeper into the kind of home loans available and who they are best suited for.

The fixed-rate home loan is highly suitable for people who do not want to worry about the fluctuation in the financial market and the changes in the interest rates that follow. The interest rates stay the same during the entire period of the repayment. Whether the repayment period is three years or thirty years, the installment amount would remain the same.

Adjustable-rate mortgages, or ARMs, have interest rates that can change at periodic intervals. Typically, the rate of interest in this kind of loan would remain same initially but would change every year. It is also referred to in the financial world as the hybrid loan as the interest rate would initially stay same for five years, and change every year after that. The rate of interest is fixed as per the basis point fluctuation in the market.

FHA Home Loans Available in Ararat, VA

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 Ararat, VA 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 Ararat, VA

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 Ararat, VA with a low interest rate even without hitting all the strictest standards.