A Guide to Mortgage Points

Purchasing mortgage points can save homebuyers thousands of dollars. But it’s important to understand the risks and benefits of this money-saving strategy before making a commitment.

Also known as discount points, these upfront fees reduce your interest rate, resulting in a lower monthly mortgage payment. Here are some things you should know about mortgage points before purchasing them.

They Lower Your Interest Rate

Mortgage points, also known as discount points, are a form of pre-paid interest that reduce the mortgage rate and monthly payments on a home loan. These upfront fees are typically payable at the closing of a home purchase and can save borrowers tens, or even hundreds, of thousands of dollars over the life of a 30-year mortgage. However, the decision to pay for mortgage points should be carefully weighed before taking this financial step, as it isn’t suitable for everyone.

As a general rule, paying mortgage points makes more sense for buyers who plan to stay in their homes for several years and have enough money available to cover the upfront costs of purchasing them. This type of buyer is likely to reap the benefits of lower mortgage payments for the duration of their loan, a savings that can be used for other purposes such as paying off high-interest credit card debt or building an emergency fund.

When deciding whether to purchase mortgage points, the homeowner should also consider their other financing options. For example, some lenders offer jumbo loans that can provide borrowers with a lower rate and avoid mortgage points altogether. Other ways to lower a mortgage rate include shopping around and making sure their credit is in good standing before applying, or qualifying for a shorter mortgage term that will result in lower monthly payments.

As a rule, it will take about six months for the monthly savings from buying mortgage points to exceed the upfront cost of those points. This number is known as the breakeven period and can be determined by dividing the cost of the points by the amount of monthly mortgage payment savings.

They Can Be Tax-Deductible

Mortgage points, also known as discount points, are a way for home buyers to pay upfront for a lower interest rate on their mortgage loans. One point typically costs 1% of the loan amount, and each point lowers the interest rate by about 0.25% for the life of the mortgage. The cost of the mortgage points is tax deductible, which can help offset some of the costs associated with getting a mortgage.

The IRS treats mortgage points as prepaid interest, and you can deduct them if you meet certain requirements. This helps reduce your overall tax liability and can add up to thousands of dollars in savings over the life of the loan. To claim this deduction, you must itemize your taxes.

If you are buying a new home, it may make sense to buy mortgage points, as this will help you avoid paying PMI. However, if you have enough money to come up with a 20% down payment, it usually makes more sense to use this instead of paying for mortgage points. Talk to your lender about the costs and benefits of each option so that you can make an informed decision.

Buying mortgage points may not be worth it for people who plan to move or refinance in the near future. It can take several years for the interest savings to recoup the cost of the points. You can use a calculator to estimate the breakeven point for your specific mortgage.

When you consider the lifetime savings on your mortgage payments and the potential tax break, it can be well worth it to buy mortgage points. However, you must be sure that you will stay in your home long enough to reap the rewards of your investment.

They Can Be Used to Refinance

There’s a lot to learn when you’re knee-deep in the homebuying process, including mortgage terms like mortgage points. These are fees paid to your lender upfront in exchange for a lower interest rate on your home loan, which could save you thousands over the life of your mortgage. Moreover, there are options with a reverse mortgage if you are interested.

There are two kinds of mortgage points: origination points and discount points. Both are included under closing costs and are designed to lower your mortgage interest rate by buying down your loan’s term. Each point typically equals 1% of the amount you’re borrowing, and one purchase reduces your interest rate by 0.25%.

Origination points are considered to be prepaid mortgage interest and may be tax deductible, but only if you itemize your deductions. Discount points, on the other hand, are not tax deductible. However, they are still a great way to lower your mortgage interest rate and make the monthly payments on your new home more affordable.

It’s important to understand the differences between these two types of mortgage points so you can decide which option is best for you. While mortgage points can help you save thousands over the course of your loan, they can be expensive up front and are only worth the investment if you plan to stay in your home for at least several years.

If you’re a year or two away from selling your home, or don’t think you’ll be there long enough to see a return on your mortgage point investments, it may be better to skip them and put the extra cash into a high-yield savings account instead. This will allow you to get a low interest rate now while also building up an emergency fund and saving for your next home purchase.

They Can Be Used to Buy Down the Rate

Many mortgage lenders offer the option of paying points to buy down your interest rate. This allows you to lower the amount of money you’ll pay over the life of your loan, which could save you tens of thousands of dollars. Mortgage points are considered prepaid interest by the IRS, so you may be able to deduct them on your taxes, as long as you itemize your deductions.

The downside of mortgage points is that they come with a cost. Each point costs 1% of your mortgage loan amount and typically reduces your rate by 0.25%. So, if you’re considering buying down your rate, you should carefully run the numbers to see if this strategy is right for you.

If you’re planning on staying in your home for the duration of your loan, purchasing mortgage points can be worth the upfront investment. However, if you’re a few years away from selling your home or you plan to refinance, it might be better to skip the points and use that extra cash toward closing costs or your down payment.

Another consideration is the possibility that you could get a better deal by coming up with a larger down payment. Depending on the size of your down payment and how much you’ll spend on PMI, this could save you more than the cost of mortgage points.

If you’re still unsure about whether mortgage points are worth the extra cost, talk to your lender to learn more about this strategy and how it might benefit you. You can also compare mortgage rates with and without points to find the best deal possible on your home purchase. Remember that there are a variety of other ways to lower your mortgage rate, including shopping around and keeping your credit score in good standing.

They Can Be Used to Buy a Home

Mortgage points are an option for homebuyers who are ready to buy a new house. The cost of one point is equal to 1% of the mortgage loan amount and lowers your interest rate by 0.25%. The savings from the lower interest rate will save you money on your monthly mortgage payment and reduce the total amount of interest paid over the lifetime of the loan.

It is important to understand the benefits and drawbacks of mortgage points when making a decision to purchase a new home. In general, mortgage points will make sense if you plan to remain in your home for enough years for the upfront costs of buying mortgage points to be repaid by the savings on your monthly mortgage payment. However, it is also important to consider your credit score, down payment and other closing costs when deciding whether mortgage points are worth the investment.

For example, if you have excellent credit, a substantial down payment and minimal debts, it is unlikely that the lower interest rate you get from purchasing mortgage points will offset the cost of the points. If you have poor credit, a small down payment and high debts, it is more likely that the lower interest rate from buying mortgage points will help offset some of your upfront costs of buying a new home.

Purchasing mortgage points is an expensive upfront expense that can be difficult for many homebuyers to afford in addition to the down payment, closing costs and other expenses that are associated with buying a new home. In addition, mortgage points are only tax deductible if you itemize your taxes on IRS Form 1040. If you are not planning to itemize your taxes, it may not be worth paying mortgage points to receive a lower interest rate.