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15-Year vs. 30-Year Mortgage: Choosing Your Financial Path

The decision between a 15-year and a 30-year mortgage is one of the most significant financial choices a homebuyer can make, setting the trajectory fo...

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15-Year vs. 30-Year Mortgage: A Guide to Choosing Your Term

The choice between a 15-year and a 30-year mortgage is one of the most significant financial decisions a homebuyer or refinancer will make. This decis...

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Beyond the Mortgage: Understanding the True Cost of Homeownership

The journey to homeownership is often symbolized by the quest for the perfect mortgage rate, but the financial responsibility extends far beyond that ...

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Unlocking Homeownership: The Power of Assumable Mortgages Explained

In the ever-evolving landscape of real estate financing, an often-overlooked option presents a unique opportunity for both buyers and sellers: the ass...

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Mortgage points, also known as discount points, are an upfront fee you pay to your lender at closing in exchange for a lower interest rate on your home loan. One point typically costs 1% of your total loan amount.

Large national banks often have a significant advantage in terms of the features and development budgets for their mobile apps and websites. They typically offer more advanced tools for account management, transfers, and mobile check deposit. However, many credit unions are investing heavily to close this gap.

If you need to relocate or sell your home quickly, having a large home equity loan against it can complicate the sale. You might be forced to sell for less than you hoped or even bring cash to the closing table to pay off the loan balance if the sale price doesn’t cover what you owe.

Not always. While a lower APR generally indicates a lower-cost loan, you must consider your timeline. If you pay points to buy down the rate (and APR), it takes time to recoup that upfront cost. If you sell or refinance before that break-even point, a loan with a slightly higher APR but no points might have been cheaper.

A key advantage of using a Broker is that they can pivot quickly. If one lender declines your application, your Broker can analyse the reasons for the decline and immediately approach other lenders on their panel whose criteria may be a better fit for your situation, without you having to start the process from scratch.