4 Steps to Land the Lowest Possible Rate on a 30-Year Mortgage
Mortgage interest rates are close to their lowest levels in more than three years and are the lowest for mid-January since 2013. The average for a 30-year fixed-rate home loan — America's most popular type of mortgage — is nearly a full percentage point below where it was last year at this time.
Thirty-year fixed mortgages promise steady, affordable monthly payments with no surprises. The loan is a particularly good choice for homebuyers who think they may settle in their houses for a while.
Even during a time of spectacularly low mortgage rates, it's smart to have a strategy to land the very best loan you can get.
These four tips can help you get the lowest possible rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage.
1. Comparison-shop 'til you drop
Cast a wide net to find a good rate.
Shoppers looking for the lowest interest rate have a lot of options today. Plenty of websites aggregate national rates and provide up-to-date information on terms and different aspects of mortgage loan offerings.
If you're a member of a credit union through your job, ask to see its current rates. Credit unions typically offer competitive rates, although the application process may be slower and the underwriting guidelines may be stricter.
If you’re not currently a member of a credit union, find a nonprofit credit union in your area that opens its membership to local residents.
Take a look at today's best mortgage rates where you live.
2. Punch up your credit score
If that's you, you'll need to raise it to get a low mortgage rate.
A better credit score brings better mortgage rates.
So, take some steps to raise your score. Pay down debt, especially on credit cards. Don't open new credit cards, but don't close old ones either. Doing that will reduce your available credit — which could hurt your score.
Get your hands on your credit reports and make sure there are no errors that could be dragging down your credit score.
A 2012 study from the Federal Trade Commission found that 20% of U.S. consumers had errors on their credit reports that needed correcting.
3. Put more money on the table
A bigger down payment can get you a lower rate.
Homebuyers who can make larger down payments tend to land lower 30-year mortgage rates.
If you're willing to put more skin in the game, a lender will see you as a better risk and reward you with a better rate.
As an added bonus, you won't be forced to buy private mortgage insurance, or PMI, if you can make a down payment of at least 20% of your home's purchase price.
Don't have that kind of down payment cash? If you're a first-time homebuyer, down payment assistance may be available in the form of a government grant or low-interest loan.
Use our mortgage calculator to see how different down payments will affect your mortgage rates.
4. Pretend your loan has a shorter term
Make bigger payments to lower your effective mortgage rate.
One smart interest-cutting strategy is to treat your 30-year home loan like a mortgage with a 15- or 20-year payback.
Use a loan calculator to see what your payment would be under a shorter-term scenario, then add the difference as a principal pay-down each month.
You'll still have the lower minimum payment of a 30-year mortgage but will have the control to pay more on your principal if you choose.
While this won't reduce your annual percentage rate, it will cut your effective interest rate, meaning you'll pay less interest over the life of the loan because you've steadily reduced your principal balance.
Check out the lowest mortgage rates available today in your area.
