Understanding Mortgage Points


When a mortgage broker asks a borrower to pay points, he or she is asking for a lending fee expressed as a percentage of the value of the loan. For example, two points on a deal worth $100,000 works out to $2,000.

Sometimes, a lender may require the borrower to pay "origination points" on a mortgage. This fee allows the lender to recover many of their costs sooner in the deal rather than waiting to recoup them as part of interest payments. Many lenders use origination points to advertise lower interest rates to potential home buyers. Though their interest margin is thinner, these institutions improve their cash flow by pulling in these profits on the front end of the loan.

Along the same lines, a lender may offer a borrower the chance to pay "discount points" to qualify for a greatly reduced interest rate on a new mortgage. In these deals, the customer can pay an extra percentage point or two of the loan's value as an upfront investment. In return, the lender agrees to knock the interest rate down by a quarter of a percent or more. Though the borrower surrenders more cash at closing, they enjoy tremendous savings over the life of the loan.

In this hyper-competitive, internet-fueled mortgage market, a handful of innovative lenders have experimented with "rebate points." They work very much like discount points, but in reverse. Cash-poor borrowers who want to purchase a home with little or no money down can receive a rebate of a percentage of the home's value. In exchange, they agree to accept a higher interest rate or a prepayment penalty. Though these deals work against the customer's long-term interests, they provide a valid solution for many prospective home buyers without the liquid capital needed to close the deal on a conventional mortgage.

Whenever dealing with points, borrowers should weigh all their available options to understand the best long-term deal for their situation. Home buyers with the ability to afford a large down payment and closing costs will usually benefit from paying discount points. Customers with spotty credit histories may have to lump origination points to a lender that's willing to run a manual underwriting review on their case.

Kevin Adelsberg is a writer for FasteMortgage.com. For additional articles and an extensive resource for everything about mortgages, please visit us at http://www.FasteMortgage.com







Related News



Home equity loan avoids fees of refinancing mortgage - ABC15.com (KNXV-TV)

Home equity loan avoids fees of refinancing mortgage
ABC15.com (KNXV-TV), AZ -8 hours ago
By Jeff Brown Q. I would like to refinance my adjustable-rate mortgage to lock in one of today's low rates. But I don't want to pay a lot of fees for a new ...
ARM with a long fixed-rate term gives homeowner time to planMarketWatch
all 13 news articles

Mortgage Refinance Applications Soar As Rates Fall - EasyBourse.com

Dividend.com

Mortgage Refinance Applications Soar As Rates Fall
EasyBourse.com, France -Dec 3, 2008
The Mortgage Bankers Association's index of refinance applications posted a record 203.3% increase over the previous week. Additionally, the US Treasury ...
Mortgage rates fall, but many borrowers will have trouble qualifyingLos Angeles Times
US move cuts mortgages to lowest rate since FebruaryBaltimore Sun
Last Call for Smart HomeownersMotley Fool
AHN - World Socialist Web Site
all 503 news articles

Mortgage Rate Drop Causing Local Residents To Refinance - WIFR

Mortgage Rate Drop Causing Local Residents To Refinance
WIFR, IL -4 hours ago
Ron Balsam says the recent plunge in mortgage rates is a good start to reviving the local housing market. "the percentage of refinancing applications has ...


Mortgage plan shows increased gov't role - Washington Post

Mortgage plan shows increased gov't role
Washington Post, United States -4 hours ago
But other observers say the government has few options to keep money flowing to consumers who want to buy or refinance a home. "We don't have a choice," ...

FDIC's Bair warns investors fighting loan changes - The Associated Press

CEP News

FDIC's Bair warns investors fighting loan changes
The Associated Press -10 hours ago
"Getting mortgage rates down is ... positive, but it doesn't help people that currently have unaffordable mortgages because it doesn't help them refinance," ...
US Mortgage Continues to Assist Homeowners During Mortgage CrisesWebWire (press release)
all 66 news articles

The Truth About Mortgage Refinancing Revealed By California ... - SBWire (press release)

The Truth About Mortgage Refinancing Revealed By California ...
SBWire (press release), WI -9 hours ago
Bakersfield, California based Mortgage Broker Adolph Gonzales reveals mortgage refinancing secrets at a new web site that is full of free reports, ...

US MBA’s Mortgage Applications More Than Doubled Last Week - Bloomberg

RTT News

US MBA’s Mortgage Applications More Than Doubled Last Week
Bloomberg -Dec 3, 2008
The Mortgage Bankers Association’s index of applications to purchase a home or refinance a loan jumped 112 percent to 857.7, the highest level since March, ...
Mortgage applications more than doubleCNNMoney.com
Mortgage Apps On Rise As Rates DropCBS News
FINANCIAL STOCKS Bulls outlast bears in Wednesday grudge matchMarketWatch
USA Today - Reuters
all 147 news articles

Bernanke Says US Must Step Up Foreclosure Efforts (Update1) - Bloomberg

BBC News

Bernanke Says US Must Step Up Foreclosure Efforts (Update1)
Bloomberg -11 hours ago
... been prodding private mortgage servicers and bond investors to cooperate with government efforts to modify or refinance loans for troubled borrowers. ...
Op-Ed: Fed Throws Refinancing Party; No One Shows UpMinyanville.com
Treasurys gain as jobs outlook appears sourMarketWatch
Bernanke calls for measures to stem foreclosuresInternational Herald Tribune
The Australian - Seeking Alpha
all 1,312 news articles

VA Specialty Lender Offers 100% Mortgage Refinancing - PR Web (press release)

VA Specialty Lender Offers 100% Mortgage Refinancing
PR Web (press release), WA -12 hours ago
Salt Lake City, Utah (PRWEB) December 3, 2008 -- iFreedom Direct Corporation, a Salt Lake based mortgage company, is now offering 100% VA refinance"cash ...

Banks see surge in mortgage refinancing - WTHR

Sify

Banks see surge in mortgage refinancing
WTHR, IN -5 hours ago
A record number of people are rushing to refinance their homes. The stock market rose slightly on Wednesday thanks to a boost in home mortgage applications ...
A Rush Into Refinancing as Mortgage Rates FallNew York Times
Lower mortgage rates aren't the answerCNNMoney.com
MBS Markets Skeptical of Mortgage PlansWall Street Journal
New York Times - CNNMoney.com
all 798 news articles