Skip to main content
_FB_2018-Icons-finalized-cleaned-up_new_FB_2018-Icons-finalized-cleaned-up_newGroup 9
Find Your Local Branch
Back
Scroll to top

Mortgage Rates 101: Information You Should Know

Homebuying 2 min read

Ready to talk to an expert?

Find A Location Get In Touch

Acquiring information about mortgage rates is a vital step in the home buying process. Mortgage rates vary based on several factors, such as the amount and type of your loan and your credit score. To get better mortgage rates in your area, it’s best to contact your local lender like First Bank.

First Bank’s Mortgage Center provides customers with answers to common questions about loan options, mortgage rates information, and more. Whether you are a first-time homebuyer, an experienced homebuyer, or building a new home, we provide information that can help you qualify for the loan and purchase your new home.

Mortgage Rates Information from First Bank

You will typically have multiple loan options to choose from before purchasing a home, including conventional mortgages, government loans, and construction loans. Two of the most popular types of home loans are conventional adjustable-rate and fixed-rate mortgages.

Conventional adjustable-rate mortgages:

  • Interest rate, monthly principal, and interest payments remain the same for an initial period of 3, 5, or 7 years, for example—then adjust periodically.
  • Interest rate caps set a limit on how much your interest rate can increase.
  • ARMs typically have a lower initial interest rate than fixed-rate mortgages.
  • Monthly principal and interest payments may increase as the rate adjusts.

Conventional fixed-rate mortgages:

  • Interest rate and monthly payments stay the same for the duration of the loan.
  • Offers protection from rising interest rates for life of the loan.
  • Available in 15-year, 20-year, and 30-year fixed-rate loan term options.

For more information on conventional mortgage rates or mortgage rates on our other home loan options, find your local First Bank loan officer today.

Loans subject to credit approval.

———

Sources:

Investopedia: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/credit_score.asp

Investopedia: http://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/05/022405.asp?lgl=mtdt-v1

Ready to talk to an expert?

Find A Location Get In Touch
Share:
First Bank’s Good To Know Logo
Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know about new tips, insights, and products from First Bank.
First Bank may use this email address to contact you about products, services, and promotions.

You may be interested in...

5 Ways to Get the Lowest Mortgage Rates If you are looking for some of the lowest mortgage rates in North Carolina or South Carolina, First Bank might be able to help. Choosing a mortgage option can be one of the most confusing aspects of the home purchasing process. Especially when you are unsure of how to secure the lowest mortgage rates or best long-term plan to manage your home’s equity. First Bank offers a range of home loan options, from conventional mortgages to construction loans. We also offer guidance and expertise on all things related to home loans, such as our tips and tricks for keeping mortgage rates low. Tips for Keeping Mortgage Rates Low Securing a low mortgage rate isn’t a matter of luck. You can follow these five helpful tips to ensure you get the lowest rate when applying for a mortgage: Improve your credit score: The best tool in a mortgage shopper’s arsenal is their credit score. Lenders often offer lower mortgage rates to borrowers with excellent credit scores. Be honest on your application: Filling out your application accurately and honestly can prevent any delays in the application process. There’s also the added bonus of building trust with your lender. Lower your debt: Your debt to income ratio (DTI) is an important factor when applying for a loan. If your debt is too high compared to your income, you could be subject to higher mortgage rates. Make a large down payment: The more you pay upfront, the better you will looks to lenders. Making a larger down payment also means you owe less over the life of the loan, which could help you secure a lower rate. Choose the right loan term for you: If you have a lot of debt, a longer-term loan with lower payments might be a good option. If you can handle larger payments and want to keep interest low, a shorter-term loan could be ideal. First Bank provides you with some of the lowest mortgage rates available on a variety of home loan options, such as: Conventional Loans Government Loans (FHA, VA, and more) Jumbo Loans One-Time-Close Construction-to-Permanent Loans Dream It, Own It Use our mortgage calculators, visit a First Bank location near you to speak with one of 3 min read
Five Reasons to Refinance Your Mortgage Banking professionals suggest mortgage refinancing when homeowners want to replace their current loan with a new one, often to reduce monthly payments or lower interest rates. With a mortgage refinance, your current loan is paid off and replaced with a new one. This can be a great option for borrowers with good credit who want to alter their current loan. But refinancing could be risky for borrowers with less than perfect credit. Check out our list of reasons to refinance and see if you could benefit from refinancing your current mortgage. 5 Reasons to Refinance Lower interest rates—If mortgage rates have dropped since you first took out your loan, you could secure a lower rate by refinancing. Lower monthly payment—Lowering your interest rate could have a dramatic impact on your monthly payment. If you intend on staying in your home for several years, lowering your payment could help you save. Shorten loan term—When interest rates fall, homeowners can often significantly shorten their loan term by refinancing without much increase in their monthly payment. Convert between adjustable-rate and fixed-rate—With adjustable-rate mortgages, your initial interest rate may be low and and then increase over a period of time. Refinancing to a fixed-rate mortgage could allow you to avoid an increase in rate. Cash out to make a large purchase—If you have equity in your home, refinancing enables you to cash out on that equity without taking out a loan, such as a home equity loan. A lot of people will use this cash to pay for home repairs, college tuition, or make a large purchase, such as a car. These types of refinances are typically easy to complete and may even be tax deductible. If you still aren’t sure if a mortgage refinance is right for you, visit our online refinance calculator to see how much you could save, or visit your local First Bank branch to speak with a mortgage specialist. Loans subject to credit approval. ——— Sources: https://www.investopedia.com/mortgage/refinance/when-and-when-not-to-refinance-mortgage/ 2 min read
Hand holding keys handing to another hand Tips for Winning a Bidding War in a Hot Home Market Trying to distinguish your offer on a home in a high-stakes bidding war? Consider adopting the seller’s dog. It probably sounds unconventional, but a Chapel Hill, NC real estate broker once saw a buyer use this very tactic to secure a deal. 4 min read
headphones sitting on books 7 Songs to Play After Closing on Your New Home When you finally close on your new home, we recommend loading up your MP3 player (or, if you’re old school, burning a CD or making a mixtape) with these seven songs to kick off your celebration! 2 min read