Bankers Don't Want You to Know That You Pay for Your No Cost Home Loan ForeverWith mortgage rates continuing on a downward trend, the competition in the business is fierce. A day never passes that I don't hear some crazy advertisement about a new loan program that XYZ mortgage company has and no one else offers. One of the oldest programs remains steadfast in both its high profile and its duplicity. This program is the No Cost Home Loan -- the one bankers say is free, but you actually pay for as long as you have the loan. The no closing cost home loan is virtually everywhere. It is advertised in the mail, on radio and on TV all the time. "Hey, refinance your loan today, and there will be no closing costs," the ads scream. Wow, a free loan. Imagine the money you'll save. So, if you are in the market for a refinance loan or home equity line, which you probably should be, with rates at all-time lows, you might consider running to XYZ mortgage company, who is now offering free mortgage loans. Just be careful you don't go bankerupt, along the way. Remember, the old clich�, Nothing in life is free, because it makes a lot of sense. You actually can get a mortgage with little or no closing costs. What bankers don't tell you (one of their great secrets) is that you pay a higher interest rate than you really qualify for, when you get your loan for "free." So, you might save $2,000 or $3,000 in closing costs, but your monthly payment could be $100 to $300 higher than it would have been if you had actually paid the costs. Imagine taking this loan and saving $2,000 in total closing costs. Perhaps you borrow $200,000. Now, if you simply pay all the costs and tell the banker you want the best rate available, let's say it is 6% for this example, you would have a monthly payment of $1,199. Now, let's assume the Wiley banker convinces you to pay no closing costs and take an interest rate of 7%. He might say, "Now, your interest rate will be a bit higher, but you'll save $2,000 in closing costs." Sounds great, you might think. What he doesn't do, though, is spell out the difference in the 6% rate you could qualify for, versus the 7% rate you choose to take for your "free" loan. If you borrow $200,000 at 7% interest, your monthly payment is $1,330. This is $131.00 more each month than you will pay on the same loan at 6% interest. If you choose to pay the closing costs and save $131.00 monthly, it will take you 15 months to get your $2,000 in closing costs back. Now, if you keep this loan for five years beyond that first 15 months, you will save an additional $7,860 at the 6% interest rate. If you listen to the crafty banker, selling the No Cost Loan, you'll allow nearly eight thousand dollars to drift right up your home's chimney. Unless the difference in the interest rate on your no closing cost loan and the loan with costs is a tiny amount, say .125%, you are almost always better off paying the costs. Be sure to ask what the difference in the rates is. Then learn exactly what the total closing costs will be. Calculate the difference in the two monthly payments (one with closing costs and one without). If that amount will pay back your closing costs in two years or less, and you intend to remain in your loan for at least five years, pay the costs and take the better rate. Use this method, and you'll never go wrong. Mark Barnes is author of the wealth-building system, Winning the Mortgage Game and other investment real estate books. He is also a suspense novelist, and his new novel, The League, will thrill both suspense and sports fans. Learn about Mark's wealth-building system and get his free home loan course at http://www.winningthemortgagegame.com. Learn more about The League and read an excerpt at http://www.sportsnovels.com
MORE RESOURCES updated Mon. October / 07 / 2024 Column | You don’t have to refinance your mortgage to cut your interest The Washington Post Housing market update: More than 4 million homeowners could refinance their mortgages - Fast Company Mortgage and refinance rates today, October 6, 2024: Rates increase in response to jobs report Yahoo Finance Roundup: Refinance demand / Rouses denied / Tax reform plan Greater Baton Rouge Business Report Today's Refinance Rates by State – Oct. 3, 2024 Investopedia Mortgage Interest Rates Today, October 6, 2024 | Rates up As Big Fed Cuts Become Less Likely Business Insider Mortgage and refinance rates today, October 5, 2024: Rates surpass 6% for the first time in weeks Yahoo Finance These Are the Pros and Cons of a Cash-Out Mortgage Refinance U.S News & World Report Money Mortgage Refinance Rates Hit a 2-Week High Investopedia What are today's mortgage refinance rates? Yahoo Finance Best mortgage refinance lenders of October 2024 Yahoo Finance Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders of October 2024 Business Insider Today's Refinance Rates by State – Sept. 30, 2024 Investopedia Mortgage Interest Rates Today, October 4, 2024 | Rates Up Following Strong Jobs Report Business Insider Is Now the Right Time to Refinance Your Mortgage? Investopedia Refinance Rates Today: Compare Mortgage Refinance Offers Business Insider Will Mortgage Rates Fall More In October? Bankrate.com 15-Year Mortgage Refinance Rates: Compare Current Rates Business Insider Mortgage Refinance In Canada Forbes Should You Refinance Your Mortgage In 2024? Bankrate.com Should You Refinance Your Mortgage After the Fed’s Interest Rate Cut? The New York Times Mortgage Interest Rates Today, October 5, 2024 | Rates Tick up Near 6% in Response to Labor Market Strength Business Insider Mortgage Interest Rates Today, October 1, 2024 | Rates Fell Far in September. Will They Drop This Month Too? Business Insider Mortgage Interest Rates Today, October 2, 2024 | Rates Hold Under 6% as Markets Wait for Fresh Jobs Data Business Insider Mortgage Refinance Rates Drop Back Investopedia Mortgage Refinance Rates Hold Near 19-Month Low Investopedia Mortgage Refinance Rates Keep Moving Higher Investopedia Today's Refinance Rates by State – Oct. 1, 2024 Investopedia How to Decide If a Mortgage Refinance Is Right for You U.S News & World Report Money Should You Refinance Your Mortgage Now That the Fed Just Cut Rates? Kiplinger's Personal Finance Mortgage Refinance Rates Are Down, But Should You Refi to a 30-, 20-, or 15-Year Mortgage? Investopedia Mortgage Interest Rates Today, September 30, 2024 | Rates Are Low. Will They Go Lower This Year? Business Insider Mortgage Interest Rates Today, October 3, 2024 | Rates Stay Put as Labor Market Continues to Show Strength Business Insider Mortgage Refinance Rates Shoot Up from 19-Month Low Investopedia The Mortgage Refinance Window Finally Cracks Open Bankrate.com What current mortgage refinance rates mean for your situation CNN Underscored Experts urge due diligence before mortgage refinance Webcenter Fairbanks 30-Year Mortgage Refinance Rates Sink to Cheapest Level Since Early 2023 – Sept. 12, 2024 Investopedia Today's Refinance Rates by State – Sept. 19, 2024 Investopedia Mortgage rates are down now that the Fed has started cutting rates. Is it time to consider refinancing? Business Insider Mortgage Refinance Rates Drop for a Third Day Investopedia Mortgage Refinance Rates Drop – Sept. 5, 2024 Investopedia The best mortgage refinancing lenders in October 2024, now that the Fed has lowered rates CNN Underscored 6 times when it makes sense to refinance your mortgage Yahoo Finance Current Mortgage Rates: See How Today's Rates Compare Business Insider Don't get too excited about cheaper mortgages quite yet Business Insider
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