Saturday, June 20, 2009

How to Check Local Mortgage Rates

mortgage rates trends

By mommierose



It's easy to check local mortgage rates if you know where to look. This article will explain an easy way to check local mortgage rates.

Instructions

Step 1
Go to bankrate.com. Bankrate.com is a highly recognized website for information on the economy, personal finance, and many other topics of interest involving money. Not only can you check local mortgage rates on bankrate.com, but you can also find out how big a mortgage you can afford, as well as read advice on how to best find local mortgage rates in your individual situation.

Step 2
Click on the "Compare Rates" tab at the top. This tab is between the "News and Advice" tab and the "Calculators" tab.

Step 3
On the upper left portion of the screen, you'll see "Compare Local Interest Rates". The first drop-down menu is for loans. The default in the drop-down menu is "Mortgages". This is what you will want to select to check local mortgage rates. To the right of the drop-down menu is a "Go" button. Click the "Go" button.

Step 4
This will take you to a screen with a header of "Compare Mortgage Rates". Use the drop-down menu on the far left to select your state. Click the "Next" button on the bottom of the drop-down menu. The other "menu" (on the left) is an advertisement.

Step 5
The next screen has a drop down menu entitled "Choose the city nearest you." Find the city nearest you in the drop-down menu and click on the city name. Then click the "Next" button.

Step 6
The next step, on the next page, is "Choose your loan amount". Type in your projected loan amount. Be sure to also select your down payment from the drop-down menu below. The default is set at twenty percent.

Step 7
Next you'll choose your mortgage options. Notice you can only choose one option at a time from this menu. The default is set to a thirty-year fixed mortgage. Find the type of mortgage you are interested in and click the next button. You can always go back later and compare other mortgage options. You can also change your location or your loan amount.

Step 8
Finally you'll land at the page to check local mortgage rates. You can compare mortgages by lender, APR, origionation points, rate, fees in APR, lock, or estimated payment. If you hover your mouse over any of the above items, a pop-up will appear which briefly explains each term.

Resources



mortgage rates trends

Monday, April 27, 2009

How to Track Mortgage Rates

mortgage rates trends

By 02SmithA

Mortgage rates are moving much more quickly than normal right now because of the economic instability. Here is a guide of how to track the latest graphs and trends of mortgage rates.

Instructions

Step 1
The government has taken unprecedented moves in the last few days to attempt to shore up the financial system in the United States. Whether this plan works or not is yet to be seen, but it certainly is making mortgage rates move in a big way.

Step 2
Bankrate is the best place to keep track of everything mortgage rate related. The site has a terrific graph of the trend for a national average of the 30 year fixed mortgage, which I have included in the resources. Be sure to check this often and see which way the fixed mortgages are moving now. Find low rate mortgages in one click of a mouse.

Step 3
Want to customize the mortgage rates down to your area? That is very easy to track as well by simply putting in your zip code and selecting the type of mortgage rate you wish to be given. This is very useful in comparing mortgage rates among local lenders.

Step 4
Calculate it! Calculate it! Finally, if you want to break it down even farther, bankrate has a terrific mortgage rate calculator on their site which will show you the specific of monthly payments on a perspective mortgage in your area. Take advantage of these very useful tools in a time where rates move very quickly!


Tips & Warnings

* Keep up to date with this information often.
* Search around for the cheapest mortgage rates
* Don't settle for a rate too quickly, shop around!

Resources

* http://www.bankrate.com/brm/mortgage-calculator.asp
* http://www.bankrate.com/brm/graphs/graph_trend.asp


mortgage rates trends

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