Top 10 Fixed Rate Mortgages

If you are starting to look for a mortgage,it is important that you first understand how mortgage rates are compiled. Before you even take a look at someone’s advertise mortgage rate, you have to make sure that you understand the difference between the advertising and the actual rate.

When companies advertise their mortgage interest rate, it makes sense that they are going to advertise the lowest possible rate that you could ever get, without showing you what it is going to cost you to get into that low interest rate. So that is the first step. Figure out if that low interest rate is the rate without a buydown, or is this a rate including a point buydown.

New look all over the Internet you going to see that there is a huge range of what companies market as their interest rate. Keep in mind that the mortgage interest rates come from the same place for every bank across the country.  Some companies may be more aggressive with that rate they are given, but it should be very unusual for one bank to be more than one half point higher than another bank with all things being equal.

The next thing you need to know is what kind of fees is the mortgage broker or bank going to charge you.  You typically don’t want to go with them first person you talked to, but rather talk to three or four different lenders to help you decide. Each lender should give you a good faith estimate of the proposal. Keep in mind though, this is only an estimate and it does not mean that they have to include everything that may change during the process.

The second thing you need to do is make sure that you know your credit scores. This will help you shop with confidence and be able to provide the needed information to each lender. Here’s the best place that we have found that gives a complete and accurate credit report.

The next thing you need to discover is whether you want a fixed rate, or an adjustable-rate loan. Most people these days are opting for a fixed rate because rates are very favorable, but there are several situations where an adjustable rate makes more sense. It just depends on your situation. Make sure that you’re working with someone who provides you with both options, and shows you the pros and cons of each.

Prepayment penalties are not very common these days, but make sure you ask just in case.

The fifth and most important step is to make sure that you’re working with someone that you trust. My work was the one who has experience in the mortgage industry and can overcome any troubleshooting situations that may arise. Let’s face it, in any industry or are those that don’t have a clue what they’re doing. Make sure you ask the right questions and don’t work with one of these people. It’ll just end up biting you in the end.