Today’s Rates

Do you know what a mortgage will cost you per month?

30-year fixed conventional
15-year fixed conventional
30-year fixed FHA
30-year fixed VA

Choosing the right loan for yourself is important, but it can be daunting.

Buying a house is a stressful event, it can feel ovewhelming. Here’s a quick and simple breakdown of the different type of home loans you may and could qualify for and consider.

VA Loans iconVA Loans

Military service members and their families can leverage a loan program offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

With this program, the borrower(s) can receive 100% financing for the purchase of a home. That means no down payment whatsoever.

Benefits of a VA Loan

– No down payment is required in most cases.

– No monthly mortgage insurance premiums (often referred to as PMI)

– Offers the benefit of predictability as your monthly payment doesn’t change.

– Closing costs are limited.

– Lower than average interest rates as compared to conventional loans.

– No prepayment penalties. VA buyers can pay off a loan early without any financial penalties.

FHA Loans iconFHA Loans

The The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage insurance program is managed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

FHA loans are available to all types of borrowers, not just first-time buyers. While the buyer will have to pay for mortgage insurance (often referred to as PMI), the down payment requirements for this type of loan are as little as 3.5% of the purchase price.

Benefits of a FHA Loan

– Requires less of a down payment to qualify.

– Is a viable option for buyer with “less than perfect” credit.

– Interest rates are typically lower than rates on conventional loans.

– Buyers can ask sellers to pay up to 6% of their closing costs, as compared to a 3% limit with conventional loans.

Fixed Rate Mortgage iconFixed Rate Mortgage

Fixed-rate mortgage loans have the same interest rate for the entire repayment term.

With a fixed-rate loan, your monthly principle payment will remain the same, month after month, and year after year through the life, or term, of your loan.

Benefits of a 30-Year Fixed Mortgage

– The interest rate remains “fixed” for the life of the loan.

– While the ratio of principal and interest will vary slightly from month to month, the total amount of your monthly payment remains the same through the life of your loan.

– Offers the benefit of predictability as your monthly payment doesn’t change.

– Generally the best option for people who plan to stay in a home for several years.

Benefits of a 15-Year Fixed Mortgage

– A 15-year fixed mortgage generally offers lower rates than it’s 30-year sibling.

– The cost of a 15-year mortgage is cheaper overall than a comparable 30-year, as you’ll pay less in interest over the life of the loan.

– The interest rate remains “fixed” for the life of the loan.

– While the ratio of principal and interest will vary slightly from month to month, the total amount of your monthly payment remains the same through the life of your loan.

– Offers the benefit of predictability as your monthly payment doesn’t change.

Adjustable Rate Mortgage iconAdjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM)

Adjustable-rate mortgage loans (ARMs) have an interest rate that will change or “adjust” from time to time.

The most common type of ARM has a rate that will change yearly, after an initial period of a fixed rate.

For example, a 3/1 ARM loan has a fixed interest rate for the first three years, after which the rate will change every one year.

Because the rate doesn’t change, or is “fixed” through this initial period and then “adjusts” thereafter, this type of loan is often referred to as a “hybrid” product.

Benefits of a Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan

– During the initial period, the interest rate is generally lower as compared to average rates for fixed-rate mortgages.

– Lower initial interest rates result in a lower payment through the initial term of an ARM

– ARM loans have a rate cap that limits how much the rate can change from one month to the next, and over the life of the loan.

– An economical choice for buyers who only plan to stay in the home for a few years.

First time home buyer’s guide

Buying your first home can be OVERWHELMING

There’s so much to know, and how do you know what you don’t know?

We’ve been helping first time homebuyers for decades! So we put a guide together to help you out.

Home buyer's guide chapter 1 illustration

Chapter 1 – Before you start looking

Are the you ready to take out your first mortgage? Is buying or renting the smarter financial decision?

Learn how to prepare and start saving to buy a home, what the home buying process looks like, everything you should know about realtors, and more…

Home buyer's guide chapter 2 illustration

Chapter 2 – From shopping to closing

Do you know what you should do when you’ve found THE house? Increase your odds of getting your offer accepted.

See how to make an offer on a house, why and how you should include a buyer’s offer letter, and most importantly how to be prepared for closing day.

Home buyer's guide chapter 3 illustration

Chapter 3 – What you need to know about mortgages

What does it mean to be pre-approved or pre-qualified? How does your credit score affect your home loan interest rate?

Choosing the best mortgage loan for you can be tricky. Here’s what you need to know and a checklist to keep things organized.