.20200706061127.jpg "What is a 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage?")
It’s important to note that 30-year fixed mortgages come in many varieties: conforming mortgages, government-backed loans, jumbo mortgages, and more. Keep in mind that because the loan term is twice as long as a 15-year mortgage, your monthly payment will be lower for the same amount borrowed over a longer term, but you will pay more in interest over the life of the loan by going with a 30-year mortgage.
The Pros and Cons of a 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage
Because 30-year fixed rate mortgages come with lower monthly payments, they are the most popular mortgages in the United States according to Freddie Mac. As with all loans, however, there are pros and cons.
Larger potential tax deduction for interest
Rates and Trends
Like all types of mortgages, rates and terms on 30-year mortgages are impacted by a variety of factors which include:
- Whether the loan is for purchase or a refinance.
- The location of the property.
- The size of your down payment.
- Whether you are eligible for an FHA or VA loan.
- Your credit score and financial picture.
Mortgage rates have been low as a result of the Fed’s moves in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The economic turmoil caused by the pandemic has caused many lenders to have tightened their lending criteria as well. For those seeking a 30-year or any type of mortgage, it is vital to stay on top of the situation in the mortgage marketplace as a whole and with the various lenders you may be considering. It is likely that the entire mortgage lending arena will remain fluid until this economic turmoil is behind us. This page on our site is a great place to start. You can check the latest rates by type and look at some of the most popular lenders to stay on top of what they have to offer.
Compare These 30-Year Mortgage Lenders
When Is a 30-Year Mortgage Right for You?
If you’re debating as to whether a 30-year mortgage or 15-year mortgage is right for you, here are some things to consider:
- Monthly payment amount: Monthly payments for 30-year mortgages are significantly lower than those of 15-year mortgages—would you be able to afford a higher monthly payment? If not, a 30-year mortgage is better for you. Remember, you can usually pay an extra amount towards principal if you desire, so the 30-year loan can also offer a degree of payment flexibility.
- Cost of your house: A 30-year mortgage usually makes it more financially feasible to buy a more expensive house, since the payment is spread out over such a long time period. To pay off a very expensive house with a 15-year mortgage means you need to be willing and able to make a higher monthly payment.
- Interest rates: 15-year mortgages come with lower interest rates, which means you can save money in the long run. However, you have to go back to the first bullet and ask yourself, even if I’d like to save money through a lower interest rate, can I actually afford higher monthly payments?
- Your income: Will you have a steady income until the loan is paid off? If yes, a 15-year loan is a good option. However, if you’re not sure whether your income will remain steady, a 30-year loan might be a better option, since the monthly payments are lower making it easier to continue paying them even if you’re between jobs.
Our Recommended Lenders for 30-Year Mortgages
AmeriSave Mortgage Corporation is a full-service mortgage lender operating in 49 states and DC. Established in Atlanta in 2002, it has funded 220,000+ homes for a total value of more than $55 billion. AmeriSave is known for offering streamlined online applications with the option of contacting customer support any time you need assistance.
- Apply and submit forms directly online
- No SSN needed to get pre-approved rates
- Recommended for refinancing
Quicken Loans is one of the most reputable mortgage lenders. It offers a large range of mortgage options including refinance loans, FHA, USDA, VA loans, jumbo loans and more.
- Fast application process
- A bevy of educational resources
- Award winning customer service
You can get pre-approved for a mortgage in minutes with Better mortgage. There are no origination or lender fees, no commission, and no prepayment penalties. Better allows you to lock in your rate and connects you with a single loan officer once you've finished the pre-approval process.
- No origination or lender fees
- Various fixed and variable rate options
- Fast approval process
How Do You Apply for a 30-Year Mortgage?
When applying for a 30-year mortgage from any of the above companies, you’ll find that though the process can seem nerve-wracking, it’s generally pretty straightforward. If you’re serious about getting a mortgage, most of these sites offer quotes and possible pre-qualification in a matter of minutes, so all you need to be prepared to do is enter the following information:
- Name, date of birth
- Address, phone number, email address
- Location of house you want to buy, cost, how much down payment you can put down
- Credit score
Once you pre-qualify, you’ll then be asked to submit or upload further documents:
- Proof of income
- Proof of assets
- Cosigner if necessary
- Disclosure of debts
- Various tax paperwork
While some applications can be completed online, you can always speak to a loan officer from the online lender for help and guidance. Note that the items listed above are only a guide, the lender you are considering may ask for additional documents or verifications based upon your unique situation or their specific requirements. Note these requirements may be subject to change based on how the economy continues to evolve in the wake of the COVID-19 situation.
FAQs
Is it possible to pay off a 30-year mortgage early?
You are allowed to pay off your 30-year mortgage early. Some loans may charge a prepayment penalty, but these penalties can only be in place for the first three years of the loan and the amount of the penalty is capped.
Paying off your mortgage early can be a great decision as it can save you a lot of money over time. Before doing this you should determine if this is financially viable for you.
A related question is should you pay off your 30-year mortgage early? If you have an extremely low interest rate on your loan it may not make sense to pay it off early. The extra money that you would put towards paying off the mortgage early might be better used to invest for goals like your retirement or to cover the cost of college for your children.
The equity in your home is not as easily accessible as money held in an investment account. You may need to take out a home equity loan or do a cash-out refinance to access these funds if needed in the future.
How do you cut a 30-year mortgage in half?
If you decide that it does make financial sense, paying off your 30-year mortgage early can save you tens of thousands of dollars in interest costs over time. Depending upon how aggressively you are able to pay off your loan, you may be able to cut your 30-year mortgage in half. Several ways to accomplish this include:
- Make more frequent payments than are required.
- Pay an extra amount each month towards the principal.
- Put any financial windfalls towards paying down the principal. Examples might be a tax refund or any bonuses received from work.
- Refinance your mortgage for a 15-year loan.
If your goal is to cut your 30-year mortgage in half by paying it off early, you will need to be aggressive and consistent in your payment strategy. You will want to use a mortgage calculator to determine the impact of any strategy you are contemplating to pay off your 30-year mortgage early. A robust calculator should allow you to run various payment scenarios to determine how much extra you will need to pay into the mortgage to cut it in half.
How much can a 1% interest decrease save you on a 30-year mortgage?
A difference of 1% in the interest rate on a 30-year mortgage might seem insignificant, but in fact, it can result in significant savings. Using a $400,000 and a $300,000 30-year mortgage as examples, we looked at the difference over time in a 3% and 4% interest rate by running the numbers through an online mortgage calculator.
For a $400,000 loan:
For a $300,000 loan:
For both loans, the savings on payments over the life of the loan and on the monthly principal and interest payments are about 13.2%
You will want to do your own calculation on any loan you are considering to determine the total impact of a reduced interest rate. These calculations assumed a fixed-rate loan, a 1% difference on the initial interest rate on a variable rate loan may work out differently. You will also want to carefully examine any differences in the other terms of each loan when looking at a lower rate option.
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