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Tips for Getting the Best Mortgage Rate

In the following article, Brandon Cornett shares 3 tips for acquiring the best mortgage rate. I recommend consulting with a professional mortgage lender to discuss your financing options. Often the best way to find a lender is ask around for a referral.

by Brandon Cornett

As a home buyer, it only makes sense to try and obtain the lowest interest rate when applying for a mortgage. After all, that rate is a primary component of the mortgage payment, so it has a direct bearing on the amount of money you'll pay each month.

But how do you get a low rate when applying for a home loan? This is the question many home buyers want to know. So in this article, I'll explain three important concepts you should keep in mind when seeking the best rates from mortgage lenders.

Concept #1 - Your Credit Score Plays a Role

The first thing to realize is that the interest rate you are offered will be partly determined by your credit score and financial history. In other words, the best mortgage terms are usually reserved for those home buyers with the best credit scores.

What does this mean to you when buying a home and applying for a loan? It means that your credit score will often dictate the type of interest rates you are offered. So if you have a bad credit history, and your score illustrates this to the lender, then there's little chance you'll be getting the best interest rate. If this is the case, you should focus on improving your credit score before you go shopping for a mortgage online.

Concept #2 - The Mortgage Type Makes a Difference

The type of home loan you select also plays a role in determining the interest rate you receive. So it's important for home buyers to understand this concept as well. For example, an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) loan will generally come with a lower interest rate than a fixed-rate loan -- but that is only for the first few years. Of course, the rate on an ARM loan will also adjust at some predetermined point in the future, and typically this adjustment means a higher interest rate! That's another thing to keep in mind when mortgage shopping.

Concept #3 - You Must Compare Lenders on Key Factors

There is one last thing I want to touch on, and that is the need to shop around in order to get the most favorable rates from a lender. Shopping for a loan is just like shopping for anything else -- you have to compare multiple lenders in order to find one that offers the best rates and terms on the loan.

Many buyers don't realize that ten different lenders may offer you ten slightly different mortgages. The interest rate will vary, the terms will vary, the closings costs will vary ... you get the idea. And these make a big difference in the amount of money you pay over the long haul. That is why it's so important to compare lenders and to carefully review the information they present to you, ideally with a financial advisor of some kind (or at least someone who is mortgage-savvy).

* Copyright 2008, Brandon Cornett.

About the Author: Brandon Cornett publishes a number of educational websites for consumers. He is the creator of this real estate information website as well as the Home Buying Institute.

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