What is a Mortgage Rate? Definition and Examples
In the term ‘mortgage rate’, the word ‘rate’ means ‘interest’. A mortgage rate is the interest that we pay on a home loan. A mortgage is a home loan, i.e., a loan to purchase a property.
The size of the monthly installments on a home loan depends on how much is borrowed as well as the mortgage rate. In this context, the world ‘installment’ means monthly payments.
The higher the mortgage rate is, the great the monthly installment will be.
Mortgage Rates: Short- & Long-Term Loans
Shorter-term loans typically have lower mortgage rates compared to 30-year loans. However, shorter term loans, i.e., 15-year mortgages, have greater monthly payments.
In the world of mortgages, short-term refers to a 15-year loan, while with a long-term loan, the borrower pays over 30 years.
First Foundation has the following definition of the term:
“Mortgage rate is the interest that a mortgage borrower will pay for money borrowed against a mortgage.”
“When a buyer borrows from a mortgage lender, the borrower will pay interest on the amount borrowed, as a fee for the use of the borrowed money.”
Fixed-Rate & Adjustable-Rate Mortgages
With a fixed-rate mortgage, the mortgage rate remains unchanged throughout the life of the loan. Some people prefer this because of its predictability, which allows them to plan ahead.
With an adjustable-rate mortgage, on the other hand, the interest rate is only fixed for the first few years, after which it might go up or down.
Factors Influencing Mortgage Rates
You mortgage rate depends on two things, the state of the national economy and your credit score.
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Benchmark Interest Rates
Your country’s central bank sets its benchmark interest rates, which affects the interest rates on all types of loans, including mortgages.
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Credit Score
Your credit score is also a factor. People with low credit scores typically have higher mortgage rates than their counterparts with high scores.
Down Payment – Deposit
If you want to lower the mortgage rate on your loan, ask your bank whether paying a larger down payment on the house you plan to buy might help.
Some lenders see mortgages with large down payments as lower risk loans and may offer a reduced rate.