Mortgage interest rates have been rising and falling sporadically during the past 20 years. The movement of mortgage interest rates is inversely proportional to the status of the economy. As a general rule, mortgage interest rates are low when economy is good. When economy goes down, the feds would jack up mortgage interest rates in an effort to stimulate the economy.

Only last month, mortgage interest rates have jumped more than a point. This increase in mortgage interest rates has significantly reduced the number of people willing to refinance their homes.

According to experts, refinancing only makes sense if the mortgage interest rates are low. And with this recent rise of mortgage interest rates, it is only logical that people are balking at the idea of re-mortgages. The total increase of mortgage interest rates was over 6 per cent at the end of last week. Although this mortgage interest rate is the highest so far this year, it is still lower than where it was a year ago. Last year, the mortgage interest rates of 30-year fixed rate loans were averaging nearly 6.5 per cent.

To refinance or not to refinance?

It is understandable that some hesitation is at hand when it comes to refinancing, especially since it has been found that mortgage interest rates are rising. But still, it might not be too late to refinance. If you fall into one of these categories, the apparent rise of mortgage interest rates wont affect your refinancing plans one bit.

Try to look at your mortgage interest rate right now. Compare your current mortgage interest rate with todays mortgage interest rate. If you find that todays mortgage interest rate is one half lower than your current mortgage interest rate, then you should probably try to refinance. Remember that the limit to refinancing is having a mortgage interest rate that is at least of a percent lower. Mortgage interest rates higher than that is not worth the effort or the risk.

Aside from making comparisons with mortgage interest rates, you might also want to ask yourself how long you plan to keep your house. If your plan is to stay in your home for only five years or less, then refinancing by getting a fixed rate loan might be a good idea. This would allow you to save on your lowered mortgage rates.

Another option is to get an adjustable rate mortgage. If youre planning to stay in your home for much longer than five years and youre willing to risk having mortgage interest rates rise, then an adjustable rate mortgage will enable you lower down your mortgage interest rate. Adjustable rate mortgages usually have lower mortgage interest rates compared to fixed rates. After the end of the first year of your adjustable rate mortgage, your mortgage interest rates would depend on the rise or fall of prime rates. Its a risky business but it could allow you to save some if youre willing.

For example, the mortgage interest rate of 30-year fixed rate loans is about 6.2 per cent. Thats high but you can still save something since this is still a bit lower than last years mortgage interest rate of 6.5 per cent. However, if you get an adjustable rate mortgage, your savings are multiplied. An adjustable rate mortgage for five years has a mortgage interest rate of 4.5 per cent for the first year.

For most people, the biggest purchase they will ever make is their home. In fact though, their mortgage and the mortgage interest rates it connotes are a larger purchase than their home. In single loan term, the amount you pay to cover the mortgage interest rate cost is more often than not more than what you paid for your house. Reducing even a fraction of your mortgage interest rates can save you a great deal of money on your mortgage.

The rise and fall of mortgage interest rates have become erratic during the past 20 years. As a rule of thumb, mortgage interest rates go up when the economy is strong and stock prices rise. On the other hand, if economy weakens, mortgage interest rates go down.

In todays market, the mortgage interest rates are much lower than they were in the mid-1980s to the 90s. But within the next year or two, financial experts have come up with predictions mostly outlining the rise of mortgage interest rates.

A sad fact however, is that with mortgage interest rates, there are no certainties and no guarantees. No one can really tell whether or not mortgage interest rates will rise over a period of time. The current mortgage interest rate that you are charged right now is something that your banker or broker cannot control. Often, loans with unattractive mortgage interest rates are sold to FannieMae or FreddieMac which in turn, sell these loans to the secondary market.

Mortgage investors purchase these secondary market loans with mortgage interest rates that are undesirable to the regular homebuyer. These investors are actually the ones who set the standards in mortgage interest rates.

When news of a growing economy erupts, the Fed will raise the mortgage interest rates in an effort to slow down economic growth and lower stock prices. As a result, the investors would demand higher mortgage interest rates from their lenders. To sell their loans, lenders will increase their mortgage interest rate yields. This drives mortgage interest rates even higher.

When the economy goes down on the other hand, the same thing happens with mortgage interest rates, but in reverse. The Feds will cut down the mortgage interest rates in order to bring the economy back to life. Investors will start buying more bonds while the mortgage interest rates are low. Demand grows and loan sellers offer their products with lower mortgage interest rates. Thus consumers will be able to get loans for decreased mortgage interest rates.

Mortgage interest rates are based on a financial instrument called index. LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) is among the most common indices that mortgage interest rates are based on. Other mortgage interest rate indices are 1-Year Treasury Security, Prime, 6-Month CD, and the 11th District Cost of Funds (COFI). These indices for mortgage interest rates are subject to the financial conditions of the market.

Loans are offered with different mortgage interest rates. Take for example a traditional 30-year mortgage. This type of loan involves a fixed mortgage interest rate. The mortgage interest rate of a 30-year mortgage is higher than that of a 15-year mortgage.

Other alternative programs and payment plans for your loans can some difference on your mortgage interest rate. An adjustable rate mortgage initially has lower mortgage interest rates compared to fixed rates.

So basically, the effect of economics on mortgage interest rates is also counteracted by the type of mortgage you choose to take.

There are several types of mortgages offered by lenders in the market. The most common of these types is fixed rate mortgages. Fixed rate mortgage loans are characterized by fixed rates and monthly payments that are generally for a 15-year and 30-year periods.

Fixed rate mortgages are popular in the consumer market because of its stability. Most consumers are hesitant to get house loans where the rates fluctuate with the changing interest rates of the market. Fixed rate mortgages are generally very affordable, especially when rates are low.

Consumers of fixed rate mortgages are faced with having to choose between a 15-year fixed rate mortgage or a 30-year fixed rate mortgage. Some prefer 15-year fixed rate mortgages because of the shorter duration. Other consumers choose 30-year fixed rate mortgages because the payments are considerably lower than the former.

Each type of fixed rate mortgages certainly has its own advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of them.

30-year Fixed Rate Mortgage Advantages and Disadvantages

A 30-year fixed rate mortgage gives consumers the opportunity to borrow money on a long-term basis. They do this without having to worry about the change that might occur in fixed rate mortgage interest rates or payments of such.

Because the interest of a 30-year fixed rate mortgage is amortized over a longer period, the monthly payments for this are lower than those on 15-year loans. Lower monthly payments on 30-year fixed rate mortgages give consumers an extra resource which they can pour into other worthy investments.

On the other hand, this could also cause a slight disadvantage for 30-year fixed rate mortgage borrowers. The overall interest bill of a 30-year fixed rate mortgage is much higher because of the long amortization period. And because payments for 30-day fixed rate mortgages are usually used to pay up the interest rather than the principal at first, borrowers will be building up their equity at a slower pace.

The high interest rates of 30-day fixed rate mortgage loans do not necessarily stop consumers from taking this type of loan. They reason that higher interest bill for 30-day fixed rate mortgages increases the amount they can deduct at tax time. This could potentially reduce or perhaps, even eliminate their federal income tax liability.

15-year Fixed Rate Mortgage Advantages and Disadvantages

One of the advantages that attract borrowers into taking a 15-year fixed rate mortgage is the fact that amortization periods for this type of loan are usually shorter. This allows 15-year fixed rate mortgage borrowers to build equity much quicker. And with a 15-year fixed rate mortgage, the overall interest bills are low at least, considerably lower than those of longer-term loans. Interest rates of a 15-year fixed rate mortgage are also lower than 30-year loans.

The disadvantages however include significantly higher monthly payments, especially when compared with 30-year fixed rate mortgages. This setback of having a 15-year fixed rate mortgage may restrict home buyers to smaller houses than they might be able to afford with longer-term loans.

There are also other factors to consider when choosing which type of fixed rate mortgage you want to take. Keep in mind that you can actually do a prepayment for your fixed rate mortgage, that way, the principal amount may be significantly reduced each month. In this way, fixed rate mortgages may even be paid off sooner than the projected term

Every person who has ever bought a home with a mortgage knows that by the time the pay off is made on the mortgage more is paid to cover interest costs than the actual purchase price of the house.

For example, on your first mortgage loan, you borrow 125,000 at 8% with a 30-year term. After your first mortgage loan period is done, youll have paid over 205,000 in interest and the 125,000 principal amount you borrowed. A result, your house that is only for 125,000 ends up costing you 330,000 on your first mortgage loan.

This is the reason why, it makes absolute sense that before taking on your first mortgage loan, a little bit of shopping is done. Getting the best product for your first mortgage loan is nice and most probably the biggest financial decision youll ever have to make.

All right. So lets get down to the basics. Most people think that a mortgage is a loan. Well, its not. A loan is something the lender gives you. A mortgage, on the other hand, is something you give to the lender.

Now when you take on your first mortgage loan, its imperative that you know what types of mortgage products are currently being offered in the market. Below are some of these first mortgage loans.

Fixed Rate for your first mortgage loan

If youre thinking of getting your first mortgage loan, a fixed rate mortgage might be the right choice for you. In a fixed rate mortgage, interest rates are set all throughout the whole loan term. This means that when you take on your first mortgage loan, your interest rate will not increase or decrease. The interest rate of your first mortgage loan will remain the same all throughout the loan period, usually 30, 20, 15, or even 10 years.

Getting a fixed rate first mortgage loan will have you paying for a predetermined monthly payment rate. Payments for your first mortgage loan interest and principal will never change. Having this type of mortgage for your first mortgage loan is especially advantageous if over time, interest rates suddenly go up. Plus, down payment if you get this as your first mortgage loan could be as low as 5% of the original purchasing price.

Adjustable Rate First Mortgage Loan

If the projected interest rates in the market are going down, then an adjustable rate mortgage might just be the right option for getting your first mortgage loan. Adjustable rate mortgages are mortgages where the interest rates and monthly payments depend on the rise and fall of rates in the market. This type of loan is especially a good choice for a first mortgage loan also if you expect a rise in your income over the next few years.

Balloon First Mortgage Loan

If you do not plan on keeping your house for long, then getting a balloon first mortgage loan will do the trick for you. A balloon first mortgage loan offers lower interest rates compared to a conventional loan. The only downside to this type of mortgage for a first mortgage loan is that a large amount is due in five to seven years. If you do not have funds to cover that amount and you are still in the house by the end of the loan term, you might need to get another loan in order to cover the cost for that first mortgage loan.