Saving Money on Your Mortgage

Everyone loves saving money and your monthly mortgage payment is no exception. When you apply for a home loan or are thinking about refinancing, there are a few things you should consider to keep your payments more affordable.

Providing a Larger down Payment

While government-sponsored enterprises Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae are now offering loans with a 3 percent down payment option, paying more money up front can help keep your interest rates and monthly bill lower. Credit.com also noted that you can pay off your mortgage faster and this can leave you with the ability to access more spending money in the future.

Deciding on the Right Mortgage

There are a number of options available to individuals interested in purchasing a new home. The two main types of loans available are fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgages. According to Nerd Wallet, FRMs guarantee a specific interest rate over the course of the loan's life. This is a great long-term option that you can easily organize your finances around. An ARM offers a lower introductory rate, but after a pre-determined amount of time the interest rate can fluctuate with the market.

Deciding on the best loan option for you depends on what type of loan fits your situation. You may not intend to use this mortgage toward your forever home. Perhaps you know that you are hoping to sell the house in the next five or 10 years. In this instance, an ARM with a lower interest rate would save you more money. However, if you are investing in a home you do not intend to move out of any time soon, an FRM might be a more dependable and ultimately more affordable option.

Lender-Paid and Borrower-Paid Mortgage Insurance

Mortgage insurance provides protection for lenders if an individual is unable to pay back a loan. Zillow noted that there can be differences in the payments and rates associated with borrower-paid PMI and lender-paid PMI. Ensure that you consider the total monthly cost of PMI after tax deductions to decide which option is most cost-effective for you.

Shopping Around for a Mortgage

Before buying a new television, people usually check a few stores, browse the Internet and conduct a little research of their own. When you decide to purchase a new home, your hunt should be just as thorough, if not more intense to ensure you are getting the best deal. Bankrate noted that you can either shop for a loan yourself or hire a broker to do the hunting for you. If you decide to hire a broker, ask to speak with his or her clients before. They can offer you insight about the services he or she was able to provide for them.

You may also want to speak with your real estate agent about different lenders. He or she can direct you to a variety of options available and you can begin shopping for the best deal.

Consider Paying Extra

U.S. News and World Report suggested adding an extra payment each year. The additional payments are put toward your principal and help bring down the total amount you owe on your home and you will not have to pay as much interest on that total.

Making more payments on your mortgage now can ultimately save you more money on the total amount that you owe lenders. For example, if your current mortgage is $200,000 with a six percent interest rate on a 30-year FRM and you made one extra payment of $1,199 each year, you could not only save $47,000 but also cut five years off of your 30-year commitment.

Take a look at your current financial situation and determine whether this is a viable option for you.

Refinancing Your Mortgage to Save Money

While interest rates on home loans are low, you may find that refinancing is an increasingly appealing option. However, U.S. News and World Report noted that before you jump the gun and decide to refinance your home, you should calculate long term savings and the closing costs and fees you may accrue.

You should only move forward with this process if you have done the math and see that the savings make it worthwhile.

Another factor to consider is whether you are currently a good candidate for a new mortgage. Make sure that your credit score is healthy and you will qualify for a lower interest rate.
If you decide to refinance, remember that you should look at a few different lenders before committing. It is important that you find the best deal available.

Saving money is always helpful. Finding new ways to help with the cost of your mortgage can help your financial situation a great deal. Reach out to a professional, use the mortgage payment calculator,  consider your options and make a plan to help you save money on your monthly payments.