Most Popular
30-Year Fixed-Rate
This is one of the most popular mortgage loan options for a reason. The longer 30-year term means lower, fixed monthly payments over the life of the loan.
Benefits
Low interest rates
Down payment options as little as 3% to 5%
Fast close – 14 to 21 days from contract to keys
Can use gift funds for down payment & closing costs
Eligibility
Minimum 3% down payment low-balance loan amounts
Minimum 5% down payment for high-balance loan amounts
Minimum credit score of 620
Loan amount must be within the property’s county conforming loan limits
Popular Questions
FAQs
What is a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage?
A 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is a home loan that is structured to provide an unchanging interest rate and fixed monthly payments over the course of the loan term.
Opting for this loan structure means the rate will not change for the life of the loan, something that can be appealing to renters who face annual rent hikes as inflation and cost-of-living increases.
A 30-year fixed-rate loan is intended for anyone wishing to take advantage of the lowest rates while also enjoying the perks of a fixed monthly payment. While some other mortgage loan structures adapt to current interest rates (like an adjustable-rate mortgage), the amount of interest on a fixed-rate mortgage won’t budge. The 30-year fixed-rate loan is the standard option for all traditional financing options, including conventional, FHA, VA, and jumbo financing.
Is a 30-year fixed-rate loan better than a 15-year fixed-rate loan?
With a shorter loan period, buyers pay less in overall interest over the life of a 15-year fixed-rate loan compared to the 30-year fixed-rate option. However, the lower monthly cost that comes with the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage allows for more liquidity and less risk should any unexpected economic conditions impact your mortgage payments.
If you are conflicted between 30-year and 15-year fixed-rate loan options, we recommend defaulting to a 30-year fixed-rate – and making additional monthly payments whenever you prefer. With a 30-year fixed-rate loan, you can choose to prepay your mortgage early with zero penalty.
What are interest rates for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage?
30-year fixed-rate loans are the standard choice for many buyers, regardless of financing type. The 30-year will often be the benchmark for comparisons when comparing different options.
Less popular options, such as 15-year fixed-rate loans and adjustable-rate mortgages, will have interest rates 1/8% to 1/2% lower, at the expense of higher monthly payments for loans with shorter loan terms and less security for variable-rate mortgages.
What are the advantages of a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage?
One of the most significant advantages of a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is having a predictable monthly payment and more financial stability, as your payments will remain the same over the life of the loan. Having the ability to predict your largest recurring expense for the next few decades can provide a huge advantage in financial planning.
Your monthly payments are divided between the principal loan amount and generated interest. As you pay down your loan balance, more and more of your monthly payment is allocated towards paying down the principal loan balance vs. interest.
What’s the difference between fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages?
Unlike a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) have an interest rate that fluctuates up or down depending on market conditions.
Because of the unpredictability of interest rates and the dependency on the current market, ARMs are a riskier option. If interest rates rise significantly, your monthly payment has the potential to soar above what you are comfortable paying. Conversely, if rates were to go down, you would end up paying less interest.
Mortgage Insurance – What is it, and when is it required?
Mortgage insurance (MI) is an added protection for the lender. By requiring this additional payment, lenders enable buyers to purchase homes with far less than the 20% down needed (like in the early days of homebuying). Although mortgage insurance seems inconvenient, the option of mortgage insurance has increased home accessibility to millions who cannot afford to save for a 20% down payment. Buyers could have a stable income and a desire to own without substantial savings – mortgage insurance helps in these cases.
Government loans, such as FHA financing, have mandatory mortgage insurance that can be required for the life of the loan. This is composed of an upfront mortgage insurance premium and a monthly mortgage insurance premium. VA loans don’t have mortgage insurance but do include an upfront funding fee similar to the FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.