- Buying a house in the US is possible and you can confirm it by reviewing the interest rates as of August 24
- Since yesterday mortgage rates have skyrocketed
- They went from the mid-range 3% we saw last week to over 4%
If your dream is to buy a house in the United States, check the interest rates as of August 24, because this could be the time to do it, according to information published on the Business Insider economic portal.
Experts report that mortgage rates are likely to level low for at least a few more months, so they recommend staying calm if you don’t qualify yet, so better prepare them. For now, rates have skyrocketed and went from the mid-range of 3% that we saw last week to more than 4%.
Mortgage interest rates today Tuesday, August 24
Fixed mortgage rates are better deals than adjustable rates as of today. Fixed rates start below ARM rates. You can still find an average 15-year fixed rate of 2.41% and an average 30-year fixed rate of 3.30%.
If you are determined to buy or refinance, you probably want a fixed-rate mortgage instead of an adjustable-rate mortgage. Government-backed mortgages through the FHA, VA, or USDA may give you a better rate, since you’re qualified.
Refinancing rates today Tuesday, August 24
Rates for conventional mortgages (which might be what you think of “normal mortgages”) are at record lows. The 15-year average fixed rate remained at 2.52% and the 30-year average fixed rate remained at 3.47%.
In general, rates are still at significant lows. Low rates are often a sign of a weak economy. As the United States continues to grapple with the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, rates are likely to remain low. Filed Under: Buy a Home
Fixed 15-year mortgages
When purchasing a mortgage you can consider a fixed rate or an adjustable rate. If you acquire a fixed mortgage for 15 years, it means that you will have a period of 15 years to pay your mortgage during which the same interest rate that you assumed from the beginning will be maintained, which are currently low.
With a fixed mortgage you will have to make monthly payments during those 15 years. It is good to clarify that the amount of these payments will be higher than if you took a 30-year mortgage, since you will have to pay the same value of the property in a shorter period. However, the advantage is that the property will end up being less expensive if you cancel it in 15 years and this is because because it is a shorter period of time you will get a lower interest rate. Filed Under: Buy a Home
30-year fixed mortgages
If you acquire a fixed mortgage for 30 years, it means that you will have a period of 30 years to pay your mortgage during which the same interest rate that you assumed from the beginning will be maintained. However, keep in mind that a 30-year fixed mortgage usually has a higher interest rate than if you decided to pay it off in a shorter period of time.
The advantage of a fixed mortgage is that you will make smaller monthly payments than if you chose a shorter term. In a shorter term it would focus on value and the quota would increase. In a longer term, you will be able to divide the payments over more months. The downside is that the property will end up costing you a bit more because you will receive a higher interest rate than if you chose a shorter payment term. Filed Under: Buy a Home
Buying a Home: Adjustable Rate Mortgages
Now your second option will be to get a rate mortgage, an ARM or an adjustable rate mortgage. What is the difference with the fixed ones? That with an ARM the rate will be fixed only for a predetermined period and then it will vary. For example, 7/1 ARM mortgages lock your interest rate for seven years, then the rate will change annually.
If you are considering an ARM, it is important that you consult with your bank or who will grant you the credit about the interest rates or if you can opt for a fixed rate option, which today is an excellent option since they are low in the market real estate.
How to get mortgages with low interest rates?
A low mortgage rate is what everyone dreams of. Well, since they are at historical lows, it is possible to get it. Although you do not have to run right away, because experts assure that the rates to buy or refinance your home will remain low for a longer time due to the effects of the coronavirus on the economy.
On the other hand, if you feel prepared or want to prepare to buy a house in the short term, we share four easy steps with which you can start to organize to get the right mortgage that will take you to the home of your dreams. Filed Under: Buy a Home
Buy a house: First: Create a good ‘reputation’
To create a ‘good reputation’ you will only need to pay debts and make the payments that correspond to you on time, which will allow you to increase your credit score in view of any bank.
Good credit history will help you when applying for a loan from an external source, as they will verify the possibility of default, which would decrease your chances of getting it since it represents a greater risk for lenders.
Buy a house: Second: Save money
The money saved will be good for the down payment on the house. By offering a higher down payment on your home, you are more likely to get a better mortgage rate.
Also keep in mind that if you don’t have money saved for a down payment, but you have solid credit and a stable income, a government-backed loan may be your best option. Remember that if you choose a conventional or government-backed loan and pay less than 20 percent of the down payment, you will also have to pay for mortgage insurance.
Third: Check your DTI index
Before buying a house in the United States, check your DTI index. What is this? It is the amount you pay for your debts each month, divided by your gross monthly income, so it is important that you are aware of what you want to do.
Basically, it is important that you lower your debt-to-income ratio, so you can do two things: evaluate options to increase your income and review the best way to pay off all your debts. Filed Under: Buy a Home
Fourth: Consider a government loan
Room. Undoubtedly, even if the interest rates in the market are low, through a mortgage backed by the government you can get an even lower interest rate.
Among them, check if you are eligible for a USDA loan (focused on low-moderate income people who shop in rural areas), a VA loan (for military and veterans) or an FHA loan, which were established to achieve that the mortgages are more reasonable, especially for first-time home buyers. If you can apply, you will not only find lower rates, they allow down payments as low as 3.5% of the sale price and for USDA or VA loans no down payments are required. Filed Under: Buy a Home