Home Loan Interest Rates - The Basics

Applying for your first home loan is a big financial step. Depending on the type of mortgage you obtain, the Housing loan interest rate you secure and the length of your mortgage, you can drastically affect the total amount you pay by the time you make that final house payment at the end of the loan term.

In this article we'll cover the basics of mortgage characteristics and then go deeper into mortgage interest rates to cover how they affect your mortgage and total cost of borrowing.

There are four factors that can affect the characteristics of your mortgage - they are:

1. Interest. The interest rate is basically the percentage of the loan that your lender charges you to borrow money from them. Your interest rate, whether varied or fixed, will affect your cost of borrowing. Essentially, a higher interest rate equals a higher monthly and overall cost.

2. Terms. Most mortgages have a maximum term that typically hovers anywhere between 15-30 years. It can be shorter or longer, but that's the standard for most home buyers.

3. Payment frequency. How much and how often you pay will affect your mortgage costs. Some homeowners opt for weekly payments because they can squeeze in one or two extra payments a year, thus reducing the length of their mortgage.

4. Prepayment options. Some mortgages allow you to pay off your mortgage early, while others restrict prepayment or put a penalty on early payment.

Of all these, interest is typically the most important. Depending on your mortgage, your interest rate can fluctuate with the market (variable or floating rate) or it can remain the same for the duration of the loan (fixed rate).

A fixed rate mortgage retains the same Housing loan interest throughout the course of the loan. Homeowners benefit because they're given a fixed monthly payment that they can effectively budget for and it won't change with the market. However, because the interest rate risk is placed on the lender, fixed rate mortgages tend to have a slightly higher interest rate.

A variable rate or floating mortgage changes its Housing loan interest depending on the economic index and federal interest rates. While borrowers will typically get a lower opening interest rate, they're subject to the tides of the market. Overall, variable rate mortgages tend to be cheaper than fixed rate loans, but homeowners need to remember that they are at the mercy of the market.

Housing loan interest rates aren't the same for everyone, meaning you may not get the same rate as your neighbour. Lending institutions base their rates on the borrower's credit score, meaning a higher score typically translates to a better rate. Before you commit to any interest rate, always shop around and don't be afraid to negotiate with a lender for a better rate.

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