Make One Extra Mortgage Payment Every Year To Save Big

Make One Extra Mortgage Payment Every Year To Save BigWhen you buy a home, you probably have a budget you will try to stick to. Many people choose a 30-year fixed mortgage, and by the time you pay off the home loan, you should own your home outright. At the same time, you might be thinking about paying off your mortgage more quickly to save money on interest. Even making one extra mortgage payment per year can provide a number of significant benefits.

You Can Build Up Equity Faster

One of the first benefits of making an extra mortgage payment every year is that you can build up equity faster. If you make an extra mortgage payment, that payment should go directly toward the principal. This means you don’t have to worry about paying down any interest with that extra mortgage payment, allowing you to build up equity in your home more quickly. 

You Save Money On Interest

If you make an extra mortgage payment, you pay down the principal more quickly. This means there is a lower remaining balance on which interest might accrue. Even making one extra mortgage payment every year can add up to tens of thousands of dollars in interest saved at the end of the loan. 

You Free Up Financial Resources Down The Road

If you make one extra mortgage payment every year, you could pay off your home loan years in advance. This means you don’t have to worry about making mortgage payments down the road, which can free up financial resources to cover other expenses. For example, you might be able to use the money you would have put toward your mortgage to put a child through college or retire early. Your savings will increase exponentially. 

Consider Making One Extra Mortgage Payment Per Year To Save Big

If you stay in your home for 30 years, there is a chance your income will go up even though your mortgage payments stay the same. Therefore, you may be able to afford to make an extra mortgage payment per year. Making only one extra mortgage payment every year can add up to big savings very quickly. 

How To Transfer The Funds To Buy A House

How to Transfer Funds to Buy a HouseIf you have made an offer on a house and gotten it accepted, congratulations! This is a major step, but you might be wondering how you actually pay for a house. The days of showing up to the closing table with a personal check are in the rearview mirror, as nobody wants a check for a house to bounce after the other person has already walked away with the keys. Furthermore, even if you are buying a house with cash, you certainly do not want to show up with a briefcase full of dollar bills. Here is how you will actually pay for the house. 

Wire Transfer To The Closing Attorney

When you purchase a house, you will send the funds for the down payment and the closing costs to your closing attorney. Typically, the seller has a preferred closing attorney they want to use, and you should be contacted by the closing attorney several weeks before the closing date. They will also give you a finalized document specifying exactly how much money you need to wire to the office to cover the down payment, any fees, and the closing costs. You will also need to go to your bank to arrange the wire transfer. The bank will also verify you have enough money in the account to cover the expenses. 

Monthly Mortgage Payment Gets Drafted Automatically

If you are financing the purchase of a house through another lender, you will need to set up an automatic draft payment with the lender. Even though there are some lenders who will allow you to send a physical check every month, most will encourage you to set up an automatic draft payment out of your checking account. After the sale closes, you will typically have at least one month before you need to make your first mortgage payment. The lender will help you arrange the mortgage draft payment prior to that time. 

Make Sure To Wire The Money Prior To Closing

You should try to wire the money to the closing attorney before the closing date. That way, you will offer any hiccups along the way. If you don’t wire the money in time, the sale could fall through, which can create complications you would rather avoid.

Can I Pay My Home Loan Off Early If I Refinance?

Can I Pay My Home Loan Off Early If I Refinance?Many people are looking for opportunities to save money on the cost of a mortgage. If you want to save money on your home loan, you might be thinking about refinancing. During the refinance process, you will replace your current home loan with a new mortgage. Some people want to refinance their homes to free up cash for a renovation project, while other people want to pay off their homes sooner. How can you pay off your home loan early through a refinance?

Reduce Your Interest Rate 

During the refinance process, you might qualify for a lower interest rate. There are numerous reasons why you might get a lower interest rate when you refinance your mortgage. The average interest rate may have come down, your credit score may have improved, or your debt to income ratio may have gotten better. If you were due to your interest rate, more of your monthly payment will go towards the principal, shrinking your balance faster. As a result, you may pay off your mortgage more quickly. 

Reduce The Term of the Loan 

If you refinance your home, you might be able to reduce the term of the loan. The term is how many years it takes you to pay off your mortgage. For example, you may be able to reduce your 30-year mortgage to a 15-year mortgage. If you shorten the term of your loan, you may qualify for a lower interest rate, which can help you save money; however, directly shortening the term of the loan could cause your monthly payments to go up. You could work with a professional who can help you with the math. That way, you understand exactly how much you owe every month. 

Consider Paying Off Your Mortgage More Quickly

If you want to save money on interest during the life of your loan, one way to do so is to pay off your mortgage faster. You might be able to do this if you refinance your home loan. Reach out to a professional who can take a look at the balance of your home loan. You might qualify for a refinance that can help you save money on your mortgage.