Things That Determine Mortgage Rates On Home Loans

In this article, we will discuss and cover things that determine mortgages rates. Not every borrower gets the same pricing on mortgage rates. There are pricing adjustments that affect rates.

Loan Level Pricing Adjustments on Mortgage Rates

Main two things that determine mortgage rates are credit scores and property types. There are other things that determine mortgage rates. Loan Level Pricing Adjustments (LLPA) are things that determine mortgage rates. However, with Conventional Loans, other things that determine mortgage rates besides credit scores and property types are loan to value.

Loan to Value versus Mortgage Rate Pricing

Loan to value is not things that determine mortgage rates with FHA, VA, and USDA loans. This is mainly because these entities insure mortgage loans in the event borrowers defaults on their mortgage loans. In this article, we will discuss and cover Things That Determine Mortgage Rates On Home Loans on government and conventional loans.

Things That Determine Mortgage Rates On Conventional Loans

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are the two mortgage giants in the United States that govern and regulate Conventional loans. Conventional Loans are not insured by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. For any loan to value that is higher than 80% LTV, borrowers need to get private mortgage insurance. Any borrower who puts at least a 20% down payment or more does not need to get private mortgage insurance on conforming loans.

Mortgage Insurance Premium Requirements on Mortgage Loan Programs

FHA Loans require mandatory a one-time upfront FHA mortgage insurance premium. FHA also requires an annual FHA mortgage insurance premium for the life of a 30 year fixed rate mortgage loan. VA loans do not require an annual VA mortgage insurance premium. But does require an upfront VA Funding Fee. The funding fee can be rolled into the balance of the VA loan. USDA does require an annual USDA annual mortgage insurance premium.

Things That Determine Mortgage Rates On Conventional Versus Government Loans

Conventional loans are by far the loan program that has the biggest mortgage rates versus credit scores impact. In order to get the lowest mortgage interest rates, borrowers need to put a 25% down payment on a home purchase and need a credit score of over 740 FICO. The lower the down payment and higher loan to value, the higher the mortgage rates will be for borrowers. The lower the credit score, the higher the mortgage rates. Conventional loans are not insured by any government entity. So private mortgage insurance is required for all Conventional homebuyers who put less than 20% down payment and have a loan to value that is higher than 80% LTV..

Impact On Credit Scores And Mortgage Rates

Credit scores does have impact on government loans. FHA loans, VA loans, and USDA loans are called government loans. This is because they are insured by a governmental agency. FHA loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration. VA loans are insured by the United States Department of Veteran Affairs. USDA loans are insured by USDA Rural Development Guaranteed Housing Loan Program. These government housing guarantee agencies will guarantee lenders in the event if the borrower defaults on government mortgage loans. Due to this guarantee, lenders of government loan programs do not care how much down payment borrowers put as the down payment. This is because, in the event of borrower default, it gets insured.

Credit Scores Versus Mortgage Rates On Government Versus Conforming Loans

Mortgage rates do have an impact on government loans: However, credit scores and rates are not as sensitive as Conventional loans. For example, borrowers will not need a 740 FICO to get the best mortgage interest rates on government loans. A 680 credit score will be sufficient in getting the best FHA and/or VA mortgage interest rate. However, borrowers with under 640 credit scores will get higher mortgage rates on FHA and VA loans even though FHA and VA loans are guaranteed by the federal government. Lower credit scores mean higher risk borrowers. Higher-risk borrowers are charged higher mortgage rates.

Things That Determine Mortgage Rates With Bad Credit And Prior Bankruptcy And Foreclosures

Most borrowers are under the assumption that bad credit and prior bankruptcies and foreclosures will have a negative impact on the mortgage rates they will get. This is not the case. Lenders only use the borrower’s credit scores to determine mortgage rates with the exception of Conventional loans where the loan to value does have an impact. Prior bad credit has no impact on mortgage rates.

Examples of Derogatory Credit Tradelines

Examples of derogatory tradelines that have no impact on mortgage rates are the following:

• such as outstanding unpaid collection accounts
• prior late payments
• prior judgments
• prior charge offs
• prior tax liens
• prior bankruptcy
• prior foreclosure
• prior short sale
• prior deed in lieu of foreclosure
• other prior derogatory credit issues have no impact on mortgage rates

Days, where consumers get charged high-interest rates due to having prior bad credit on home loans, are long over and it is illegal. Again, prior bad credit has no bearing whatsoever on rates on home loans. Credit scores are what determines mortgage rates as well as property types.

Property Types And The Type Of Loan Program

The type of property you purchase and the type of loan program are things that determine mortgage rates. Single-family home has lower mortgage rates than a condominium or two to four-unit property. This is because lenders feel that a single-family home is a less risky investment than a condominium or a 2 to 4 unit property. The type of loan program are things that determine mortgage rates as well. Mortgage rates on a second home or investment home will be higher than those of an owner-occupant primary residence mortgage loan.

Pricing Adjustments On Loan Programs

FHA 203k loans have higher mortgage rates than standard FHA loans. This is because mortgage lenders view FHA 203k rehab loans as riskier investments than standard FHA Loans. Jumbo mortgages have higher mortgage rates than standard conforming conventional loans. This is because lenders view it as riskier investments than standard conventional loans.

Risk Factors and How Mortgage Rates Are Priced

In the event, that the lender will foreclose on a Jumbo Loan, it will take much longer for lenders to sell and liquidate the higher-end property than it would a regular standard home. The Jumbo home market is a niche market and not many folks can afford higher-end homes and the lending standards of Jumbo mortgages are much tougher than Conventional or government loans. Gustan Cho Associates has no overlays on government and conforming loans. Feel free to call or text us at 800-900-8569 or text us for a faster response. Or email us at gcho@gustancho.com.