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 Wed. February / 05 / 2025 Mortgage and refinance rates today, February 2, 2025: Lowest 30-year rate since mid-December Yahoo Finance Today's Mortgage Rates | What Do Tariffs Mean for Rates? Business Insider Today's Refinance Rates by State – Feb. 4, 2025 Investopedia Mortgage and refinance rates today, February 3, 2025: Rates could stay at this level for a while Yahoo Finance MetLife Building nears $1.5B refinancing Crain's New York Business Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 21, 2024: Better time to buy than refinance Yahoo Finance How to Refinance Your Mortgage NerdWallet Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders of February 2025 Business Insider Should I refinance my mortgage in 2025? Bankrate.com Today's Mortgage Rates | Rates Are Down. How Long Will This Last? Business Insider Mortgage and refinance rates today, February 1, 2025: The 30-year rate decreases for a full week Yahoo Finance Best mortgage refinance lenders of February 2025 Yahoo Finance Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 29, 2025: Rates will probably stay high for a while Yahoo Finance Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 31, 2025: How can you snag a rate under 7%? Yahoo Finance Will Mortgage Rates Go Down In January? Bankrate.com Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 27, 2025: This week's Fed meeting could cause rates to shift Yahoo Finance Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 22, 2025: High rates could be here to stay Yahoo Finance Will Interest Rates Go Down in February? | Predictions 2025 The Mortgage Reports Will Mortgage Rates Go Down in 2025? Ask Again Later. U.S News & World Report Money Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 19, 2025: How to get a good deal when rates are high Yahoo Finance Today's Mortgage Rates | Rates Down, Even as Inflation Ticks Up Business Insider Mortgage Rate History: 1970s To 2025 Bankrate.com Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 17, 2025: Don't be alarmed by this week's high rates Yahoo Finance Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 15, 2025: Rates might not change much in response to the CPI Yahoo Finance Mortgage Rates This Week NerdWallet Refinance Rates Decline for a Third Day Investopedia Today's Mortgage Rates, January 30, 2025 | Rates Tick Down As Fed Eyes Elevated Inflation Business Insider Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 11, 2025: Rates increase after strong jobs report Yahoo Finance Today's Mortgage Rates | Rates Start the Month a Bit Lower Business Insider Today's Refinance Rates by State – Jan. 29, 2025 Investopedia How The Fed's Rate Decisions Move Mortgage Rates Bankrate.com Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 12, 2025: How can you get a good deal in a high-rate environment? Yahoo Finance Today's Mortgage Rates | Is This as Low as Mortgage Rates Will Go? Business Insider Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 13, 2025: Inflation could push rates higher Yahoo Finance When Is It Worth It to Refinance Your Mortgage? | 2025 The Mortgage Reports 15-Year Mortgage Refinance Rates: Compare Current Rates Business Insider Today's Refinance Rates by State – Jan. 28, 2025 Investopedia Today's Refinance Rates by State – Jan. 8, 2025 Investopedia Refinance Rates Today January 30, 2025: Trends and Insights Norada Real Estate Investments 2025 Mortgage Rate Predictions: Will Rates Fall? The Mortgage Reports How to Decide If a Mortgage Refinance Is Right for You U.S News & World Report Money How to get the best refinance rate on your mortgage Bankrate.com FHA Streamline Refinance | Rates & Requirements for 2025 The Mortgage Reports Best Cash-Out Refinance Lenders Of 2025 Bankrate.com Today's Refinance Rates by State – Dec. 17, 2024 Investopedia Today's Refinance Rates by State – Jan. 6, 2025 Investopedia Mortgage and refinance rates today, December 31, 2024: Rates decrease across the board Yahoo Finance Refinance Rates Inch Lower for a Second Day Investopedia Today's Refinance Rates by State – Dec. 18, 2024 Investopedia Mortgage and refinance rates today, December 14, 2024: Economic factors drive rates back up Yahoo Finance Mortgage Refinance Rates Are Down, But Should You Refi to a 30-Year, 20-Year, or 15-Year Mortgage? Investopedia Mortgage Refinance Rates Climb to Two-Month High Investopedia
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