Getting the best interest rate on your mortgage is an essential step to ensure that you save money over the long term. Here are some steps to help you get the best interest rate on your mortgage:

Steps You Need to Take to Get the Best Interest Rate on Your Mortgage

Table of Contents

Improve Your Credit Score

Improving your credit score is one of the most crucial steps to get a better interest rate on your mortgage. According to a study by LendingTree, borrowers with excellent credit scores (over 800) can save up to $43,000 over the life of a $250,000 mortgage compared to borrowers with poor credit scores (under 640).

Here are some tips to improve your credit score:

Pay your bills on time: Payment history is the most significant factor that determines your credit score. Late payments can have a significant negative impact on your credit score.
Reduce your debt-to-income ratio: Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is the amount of debt you have compared to your income. Lenders prefer borrowers with a lower DTI ratio, which means that you have less debt relative to your income.
Check your credit report for errors: Your credit report contains information that is used to calculate your credit score. Make sure to check your report for errors and dispute any inaccuracies with the credit bureaus.
Keep your credit utilization low: Your credit utilization is the amount of credit you are using compared to your credit limit. Keeping your credit utilization low (under 30%) can help improve your credit score.
Avoid opening too many new credit accounts: Opening new credit accounts can lower your average account age, which can negatively impact your credit score.

Improving your credit score takes time and effort, but it can have a significant impact on your mortgage interest rate and overall financial health.

Shop Around for Lenders:

Shopping around for lenders is a crucial step to getting the best interest rate on your mortgage. According to a study by Freddie Mac, borrowers who obtained quotes from multiple lenders saved an average of $1,500 over the life of their loan compared to borrowers who obtained only one quote.

Here are some tips to help you shop around for lenders:

Compare interest rates: Interest rates can vary significantly between lenders, so it’s important to compare rates from multiple lenders to find the best deal.
Compare fees: Lenders may charge fees for origination, underwriting, and other services. Make sure to compare these fees between lenders to understand the total cost of the loan.
Look at lender reviews: Check out online reviews of potential lenders to get a sense of their reputation and customer service.
Check with different types of lenders: Different types of lenders, such as banks, credit unions, online lenders, and mortgage brokers, may offer different interest rates and terms.
Get pre-approved: Getting pre-approved for a mortgage can give you a better idea of the interest rate and terms you qualify for, which can help you compare lenders more effectively.

Shopping around for lenders can take some time and effort, but it can help you save money over the life of your mortgage.

Make a Larger Down Payment:

Making a larger down payment can help you get a better interest rate on your mortgage. According to a study by LendingTree, borrowers who made a down payment of 20% or more saved an average of $28,000 over the life of a $250,000 mortgage compared to borrowers who made a down payment of less than 10%.

Here are some reasons why making a larger down payment can help you get a better interest rate:

Lower loan-to-value ratio: The loan-to-value (LTV) ratio is the amount of the loan compared to the value of the property. A lower LTV ratio means that you borrow less relative to the property value, which can result in a lower interest rate.
Lower risk for lenders: Lenders prefer borrowers who have more equity in their homes because they are less likely to default on their mortgage payments. A larger down payment means that you have more equity in your home, which can make you a lower-risk borrower.
Avoid private mortgage insurance: If you make a down payment of less than 20%, you may be required to pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI), which can increase your monthly mortgage payment. Making a larger down payment can help you avoid paying for PMI.

While a larger down payment may require more savings upfront, it can lead to significant long-term savings by lowering your interest rate and avoiding PMI payments.

Opt for a Shorter Loan Term:

Opting for a shorter loan term can help you get a better interest rate on your mortgage. According to a study by The Mortgage Reports, borrowers who choose a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage can save up to $65,000 in interest compared to borrowers who choose a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage for a $250,000 loan.

Here are some reasons why choosing a shorter loan term can help you get a better interest rate:

Lower risk for lenders: A shorter loan term means that you pay off your mortgage faster, which can make you a lower-risk borrower. Lenders may offer a lower interest rate to borrowers with shorter loan terms.
Lower interest rates: Shorter loan terms generally come with lower interest rates than longer loan terms. According to Bankrate, as of April 2023, the average interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is 3.43%, while the average interest rate for a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage is 2.62%.
Pay off your mortgage faster: Choosing a shorter loan term means that you pay off your mortgage faster, which can help you build equity in your home more quickly and save money on interest payments over the life of the loan.

While a shorter loan term may result in higher monthly payments, it can lead to significant long-term savings by lowering your interest rate and reducing the total amount of interest you pay over the life of the loan.

Lock in Your Rate:

Locking in your interest rate can help you secure a favorable rate and avoid the risk of rates increasing during the mortgage process. According to a study by LendingTree, borrowers who locked in their interest rate before closing saved an average of $1,500 over the life of their loan compared to borrowers who did not lock in their rate.

Here are some reasons why locking in your interest rate can help you get a better rate:

Protects against rate increases: Interest rates can fluctuate during the mortgage process. Locking in your rate protects you from any increases that may occur before closing.
Provides certainty: Locking in your rate provides certainty about your monthly mortgage payment, which can help you plan your budget and avoid any surprises.
Can be free or low-cost: Many lenders offer rate locks for free or for a small fee. Even if there is a fee, the potential savings over the life of the loan can make it worth it.
Can be done at any point in the mortgage process: You can usually lock in your rate at any point in the mortgage process, from pre-approval to closing.

While locking in your interest rate may not always be necessary, it can provide peace of mind and potentially save you money over the life of your loan.

Consider Points:

Considering points, also known as discount points, can help you lower your interest rate and save money over the life of your mortgage. According to a study by Bankrate, paying one point on a $250,000 mortgage can lower your interest rate by about 0.25%, which can result in savings of about $13,000 over the life of the loan.

Here are some reasons why considering points can help you get a better interest rate:

Lower interest rate: Paying points upfront can lower your interest rate, which can help you save money over the life of the loan.
Tax-deductible: Points paid on a mortgage may be tax-deductible, which can help reduce your tax liability.
May be negotiable: The cost of points can be negotiable with the lender, which can potentially save you money.
Can vary based on market conditions: The cost of points can vary based on market conditions, so it’s important to shop around and compare offers from different lenders.

While paying points upfront requires more money upfront, it can lead to significant long-term savings by lowering your interest rate and reducing the total amount of interest you pay over the life of the loan.

Maintain Stable Employment:

Maintaining stable employment can help you get a better interest rate on your mortgage. According to a study by the Urban Institute, borrowers who have stable employment are less likely to default on their mortgages, which can make them more attractive to lenders and lead to better interest rates.

Here are some reasons why maintaining stable employment can help you get a better interest rate:

Lower risk for lenders: Borrowers who have stable employment are considered to be lower-risk borrowers, as they are more likely to have a steady source of income to make their mortgage payments.
Demonstrates financial responsibility: Maintaining stable employment can demonstrate to lenders that you are financially responsible and capable of handling your mortgage payments.
May qualify you for certain programs: Some lenders offer special mortgage programs for borrowers who work in certain professions, such as teachers or medical professionals.
Can help you meet lender requirements: Many lenders require borrowers to have a stable employment history in order to qualify for a mortgage.

While maintaining stable employment may not always be possible, it can improve your chances of getting a better interest rate on your mortgage and help you qualify for certain mortgage programs.

By following these steps, you can improve your chances of getting the best interest rate on your mortgage.

Expert Advice: Steps You Need to Take to Get the Best Interest Rate on Your Mortgage