Questions About Mortgage Rates Today
Below are a few common questions that potential buyers, and homeowners looking to refinance may be asking.
Should I refinance my home with mortgage rates today?
Falling mortgage interest rates are an appealing reason to refinance your home today. Over the past few weeks, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate has fallen to its lowest point since 2012. These lower mortgage rates today are an ideal opportunity to refinance and spend less in interest over the life of the loan.
These near record low mortgage rates are enticing buyers into the market during the winter, which historically has been a slow time for home purchases. The Mortgage Bankers Association reported mortgage applications for new home purchases increased 35.3 percent compared from a year ago. Compared to December 2019, applications increased by 40 percent.
Can I get a better mortgage rate if I go directly to my bank today?
No. The advantage of working with a mortgage broker is that brokers have relationships with many banks. Mortgage brokers know which banks have the lowest mortgage rates and best loan programs, and the bank with the lowest rate may not be your bank. Additionally, a mortgage broker will continue to work for you after the loan closes by monitoring mortgage rates. If interest rates drop, your mortgage broker will contact you with the mortgage rate today. On the other hand, your banker would prefer to keep your loan at the higher rate.