A Smart Real Estate Hack: How Mortgage Buy-Downs Lower Your Monthly Payments
Learn how fixed-rate and temporary mortgage buy-downs can lower your monthly payments. See which option fits your goals and how to negotiate for bigger savings.
A real estate affordability hack worth knowing
My clients have been securing lower monthly payments on their new homes. How? We’re negotiating mortgage rate buy-downs.
A FIXED-RATE buy-down is when extra money is paid up front to permanently lower your mortgage interest rate for the entire life of the loan. (It's like pre-paying some interest to get a better rate forever.)
A TEMPORARY buy-down is when extra money is paid up front to reduce your interest rate for the first few years of your mortgage.
Want to know which option could work for you?
Choose a fixed-rate buy-down if you:
- Plan to keep your house long-term
- Don't expect to refinance soon (because rates are not likely to drop).
- Want permanent savings
- Have extra cash at closing
Choose a temporary buy-down if:
- You expect to refinance soon (because you think rates are likely to drop).
- The seller or lender is open to negotiating
- You want lower payments, immediately
Bottom line? Ask us about buy-downs - it's something that can help you negotiate with the seller or lender, which can significantly lower your monthly mortgage payment.
November Home Maintenance Checklist
-
Clean out gutters to prevent build up
-
Check windows and doors for drafts and seal as needed.
-
Service your HVAC system to ensure efficient performance.
-
Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for safety.
-
Touch up exterior paint or power wash to keep your home looking fresh.
Have questions about real estate?
Whether you're interested in purchasing your first home, moving up, downsizing, or investing, my team and I are here to be a resource to you.
Let's find you a new home. And it all starts here. Tell us a bit about your situation – buying, selling, and so forth – and one of our team members will be back in touch to discuss the details directly.