The only constant is change, especially when it comes to your mortgage rate.
One primary factor of mortgage rate movement is inflation. Inflation is a growing economy and increasing prices of goods and services. A growing economy means a higher demand for goods and services, allowing producers to increase their prices. This increase in prices therefore results in higher real-estate prices, higher apartment rents, and higher mortgage rates.
The Federal Reserve attempts to reduce inflation and slow down economy by decreasing interest rates. In the process, mortgage rates are lowered. Although mortgage rates have the propensity to fluctuate in the same direction as interest rates, their actual movements may also be based upon mortgage supply and demand.
Compared to interest rates, mortgage rates have a slightly different equation in their supply and demand. This difference explains why mortgage rates tend to move differently from other rates. For example, lenders may be committed to close additional mortgages. In doing so, they will have to decrease the mortgage rates even when interest rates are going up.
Additional Factors Affecting Mortgage Rates
Mortgage rates are influenced by several other factors besides inflation. Mortgage rates tend to increase when the amount of the loan increases. This expansion in mortgage rates is especially true if the loan amount exceeds the established loan limits of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Loan limits typically change at the beginning with each year to conform with the trend mortgage rates have established.
The duration of the loan may also affect mortgage rates. Shorter loans usually equate to lower mortgage rates and longer loans can cost you higher mortgage rates. Loans with a 20-year or 15-year note can let you to save thousands of dollars on mortgage rate payments. However, this shorter time period also means that your mortgage rate payments every month will also be much higher.
It's possible to avoid these high payments with an adjustable mortgage rate. This plan can allow you to start out with a lower mortgage rate, but your monthly mortgage payment will increase if the current interest rates go up. Fixed mortgage rates are typically higher than adjustable rates, but they provide the opportunity to save money as interest and mortgage rates increase.
A higher down payment can help you to save on your monthly mortgage rate payments. By making a down payment of at least twenty percent, you can get the best possible mortgage rate. If your down payment is smaller you'll have less equity in the property. Less equity means less collateral, so your mortgage rate will be higher.
Discount points can also affect mortgage rates. A lower mortgage rate generally means higher points paid on your loan. This same rule applies for lender fees such as closing costs. Higher closing costs paid to the lender will result in lower mortgage rates. If you choose not to pay for all the closing costs up front, the lender will increase your mortgage rate to accommodate the additional fees.
This concept of raising and lower mortgage rates is relatively simple. Your lender should be willing to lower your mortgage rate, so long as more money is paid up front. With more money down, you'll pay a lower mortgage rate. If, on the other hand, you put less money down, you'll pay a higher mortgage rate.