buying points on mortgage
buying points on mortgage

: You can often buy fractional points (e.g., 0.5 points) or multiple points, usually capped at three or four by most lenders. The Break-Even Calculation

: Each point usually reduces your interest rate by 0.25 percentage points (e.g., from 7.00% to 6.75%).

Cost of Points / Monthly Savings = Months to Break Even Scenario (on $300,000 Loan) Without Points With 1 Point ($3,000) Interest Rate Monthly Payment (P&I) Monthly Savings Break-Even Period 60 Months (5 Years) Calculated based on standard industry examples. When It Makes Financial Sense

Buying mortgage points—also known as —is a strategy where you pay an upfront fee at closing to "buy down" your interest rate. This trade-off trades current cash for long-term savings, potentially reducing your monthly payments and total interest over the life of the loan. How Mortgage Points Work

: If the break-even is long (e.g., 8+ years), you might see a better return by investing that cash in a high-yield savings account or a 401(k). Key Considerations for 2026