Compare The Best Mortgage Rates in Elizabethton, TN

Comparing Mortgage Rates in Elizabethton, TN

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 Elizabethton, TN 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 Available in Elizabethton, TN

There are a variety of loan products on the market to appeal to all kinds of different buyers. Mortgages can be separated into the fixed-rate and variable categories.

With a fixed-rate mortgage loan in Elizabethton, TN, the loan's interest rate will stay the same for the whole repayment term. This also means that the buyer's monthly payment stays the same until the loan is paid off, and it remains true even if the loan is going to last decades, as is the case with 30-year fixed-rate mortgages. For the buyer, this means that they always know how much they'll be paying and they don't need to worry about interest rate fluctuations.

Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) in Elizabethton, TN work much differently, because they have interest rates that can adjust with the market. There is usually an initial period of time where the interest rate is locked in, and after that time period ends, the interest rate on the loan adjusts every year. Since this effectively blends the fixed-rate mortgage and the ARM, these loans are sometimes called hybrid ARMs. One example would be a 5/1 ARM, with the numbers indicating how long the interest rate is fixed. In a 5/1 ARM, the first five years of the loan have a fixed interest rate, and from then on out, the interest rate adjusts annually.

FHA Home Mortgages in Elizabethton, TN

Buyers must decide on whether to get a fixed-rate home loan or an ARM, but that isn't the only decision. They also need to figure out if they will go with a mortgage backed by the government or a more traditional home loan. Those traditional home loans don't have any insurance provided by the federal government. There are three types of mortgages that have government backing, which are FHA loans, USDA loans and VA loans.

An FHA loan is backed by the Federal Housing Administration, which is the Department of Housing and Urban Development's program for insuring home loans. One great aspect of FHA mortgages in Elizabethton, TN is that it's not just first-time homebuyers who can get them, but any buyer. FHA mortgages have benefits for both the borrower and the lender. The borrower can get their home loan while making a significantly lower down payment, sometimes as little as 3.5 percent of what the home costs. The lender is protected from any losses due to a borrower defaulting by the government insurance. The drawback for borrowers is that they're required to cover the cost of mortgage insurance, which means larger home payments every month.

Refinancing Mortgages in Elizabethton, TN

Refinancing a mortgage in Elizabethton, TN means that you will be applying for a whole new mortgage. Once you are approved for refinancing you will be required to pay the closing costs and any additional fees. This is an important fact to keep in mind if you are refinancing to get a better interest rate on your current loan. It's important to check whether or not paying the additional fees will be beneficial to you in the future. One exception is if you are going for an adjustable-rate loan to a fixed-rate loan. Since interest rates are likely to increase instead of decrease in the future, this is more than likely a good move on your part.

To get the best interest rate on your mortgage, keep your credit score as high as possible. Your debt-to-income ratio should also be low to help you achieve your goal. However, don't give up hope if your score isn't the best. There are still ways that you can get approved for a loan in Elizabethton, TN when you take the time to look for a lender. Use MyRatePlan to get started and to compare the loans and interest rates from lenders you can trust.