Compare The Best Mortgage Rates in Knierim, IA

Compare Knierim, IA 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 Knierim, IA. 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.

Different Types of Mortgages on the Market in Knierim, IA

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 Knierim, IA. 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 Loans in Knierim, IA

When you are purchasing your first home or looking for a different house, you will have to make the decision between a fixed and adjustable-rate mortgage. However, there are other choices that will have a major bearing on your decision. You may have to choose a conventional type of loan or use a government-insured home loan. The federal government will not protect a conventional home loan in any way or form. This is what distinguishes them from the home loans that are backed by the government. These government loans are known as FHA, USDA and VA.

HUD, or the Department of Housing and Urban Development, manages the FHA, or Federal Housing Administration. HUD works under the federal government. An FHA loan in Knierim, IA is a type of loan that is made available to every borrower in the area, not just those who are looking to purchase their first home. If the borrower defaults on the loan, the lender has the backup of the government to pick up the slack. The advantage of this type of mortgage is that you will be permitted to make a very low down payment to purchase a home, usually as low as 3.5% of the final purchase price. The disadvantage is that you will need to pay mortgage insurance, which will cause your monthly payments to go up.

Refinancing a Home Loan in Knierim, IA

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 Knierim, IA with a low interest rate.