Knowing how your mortgage works can help you keep it from working against you. Many people think that their mortgage payment is only used to pay off the amount of the loan. That assumption can hurt those people, as the mortgage payment is based on the length of the mortgage loan taken out.
1. How a Mortgage Works
If a mortgage is to be paid over 30 years, the payments extend the amount owed, due to the interest charges added to the total. This interest is also compounded, meaning eventually you will also pay interest on this interest. Quite simply, a large chunk of you payments could be devoted to simply paying interest.
2. Getting the Best Deal
Once the interest has been paid, the loan amount will be lessened each year and the 30-year mortgage will be paid in full with interest at the end of the 30 year period. Understanding that your mortgage payment is actually an interest payment might help you to try and learn how to save money. For instance, make sure that you can pay more than the monthly payment and that you can even pay in full. This may sound like irrelevant, but an unforeseen inheritance or great night at the casino could make this a distinct possibility. Also, make sure you shop around for the best deal. If your credit score is low enough, you may be able to get a great interest rate!
3. Paying it Off
You can save money on your mortgage by making the mortgage payments on time, avoiding late fees. If you can pay more than is due, this will also help. An extra $100 a month means an extra $1200 a year and this could save you years of payments. Try to anticipate your future income and you could make sure your payment plan fits well.
4. Tips and Secrets
Your mortgage is attached to the property that you have borrowed money to buy. However, you are still in control of that property if you continue to make your payments on time. For instance, if your house is a little bigger or nicer than necessary, you can sell your property for more than you have borrowed to buy it and use the proceeds to pay off your mortgage and make a profit. Or, if you have a great interest rate on a savings account, you could put the money you’d normally use to make higher payments in this account and profit – then use the profit to pay a big chunk of your mortgage in a lump sum.
It’s easy to save money on your mortgage, but you need to understand it fully. Speak with your lender to find out where every dollar you pay goes and ask every question that comes to mind. Also be sure to ask for any ways you could say money, because you’d be surprised at the secret options out there!
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