Most mortgage loans require monthly payments of principal and interest plus additional payments that are set-aside in escrow accounts to pay property taxes and homeowners insurance. In addition, loans with PMI or government mortgage insurance may require payment of a monthly mortgage insurance premium as part of the regular monthly payment.
Some lenders offer bi-weekly mortgages, which call for 26 payments per year. The details of bi-weekly mortgages can differ, so it's best to ask the lender to outline the details of how these programs work.
Home buyers who can afford the higher monthly payment sometimes prefer a 15-year mortgage to a 30-year mortgage. Interest rates on 15-year mortgages usually are slightly lower than 30-year rates. In addition, a home buyer financing a home purchase with a 15-year mortgage will repay principal substantially faster and will pay far less total interest over the term of the loan. |