Jeff Cost

Cincinnati Home Loan

  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • First Time Seller Tips
    • First Time Buyer Tips
    • Home Appraisal
    • Loan Checklist
    • Loan Programs
    • Loan Process
    • Mortgage FAQ
    • Mortgage Glossary
    • Get a Rate Quote
    • What to Expect at a Loan Closing: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • Apply Now
    • Online Application
    • Home Purchase
    • Home Refinance
    • Loan Comparison
  • Reviews
    • Leave a Review
  • Contact

Choosing A 15-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Over A 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage

September 16, 2011 by Jeff Cost

Comparing 30-year fixed rate mortgages and 15-year fixed rate mortgages

It’s not just 30-year fixed rate mortgages that are posting all-time lows these days. The 15-year mortgage has been plunging, too.

If you’ve ever considered a 15-year loan term, it’s a terrific time to talk to your lender. According to Freddie Mac’s weekly mortgage rate survey of roughly 125 U.S. lenders, at 3.30 percent, the 15-year fixed rate mortgage is at its lowest point in history.

The 3.30% rate doesn’t come for free, however. Based on average loan term nationwide, borrowers in Kentucky choosing to “go 15” should expect to pay 0.6 discount points at closing. 1 discount point is equal to 1 percent of your loan size.

With low rates, 15-year fixed rate mortgage can be enticing; a primary benefit is the huge reduction in the long-term interest costs of your loan. The downside, though, is that monthly mortgage payments can be relatively large.

At today’s mortgage rates, a 15-year fixed rate loan carries a principal + interest payment of $705.10 per $100,000 borrowed — a 46% increase over a comparable 30-year fixed rate loan. If you can manage the bigger payments, though, you’ll reap $47,000 in interest payments savings per $100,000 borrowed in paying off your loan in full.

$47,000 per $100,000 borrowed is a huge amount of savings and those saved monies can be used to fund items such as college, home improvement, and retirement, among others.

That said, the 15-year fixed rate mortgage is not for everyone.

Because it comes with higher monthly payments, the 15-year fixed rate mortgage may add financial stress to your household budget. And, once you have committed to a 15-year loan term and its payments, you’re can’t “go back”. Your lender won’t revert your loan to a 30-year schedule without a refinance, and a refinance could be costly.

Filed Under: Mortgage Rates Tagged With: 15-Year Fixed, 30-Year Fixed, Mortgage Strategy

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2

Jeff Cost
Sr. Loan Officer

Cincinnati, OH Mortgage Lender
NMLS# 21688


jeffrey.cost@ccm.com

Call (513) 403-6260
Fax (941) 567-5222

Cross Country Mortgage

How can I help?

Connect with Me!

Browse Articles by Category

The Latest Articles

  • Why Your Mortgage Has an Escrow Account and How It Works for You
  • Creative Ways to Finance a Home Renovation with Your Mortgage
  • The Rise of Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance
  • What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – May 12th, 2025
nmlsconsumeraccess.org
Equal Housing Lender

Our Location

CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC
4050 Executive Park Drive, Suite 220
Cincinnati, OH 45242

Personal NMLS21688 Branch NMLS2458257
Company NMLS3029

Copyright © 2025 · Powered by MySMARTblog

Copyright © 2025 · Genesis Sample Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in