With rising economic challenges due to inflation, we live in a high-inflation environment affecting mortgage rates.
Here is a brief word on purchase versus refinancing mortgage rates in New York:
Purchase
As of November 2022, the average 30-year fixed mortgage purchase rate in New York is 6.25%, a tad bit lower than the 6.23% national average.
20-year fixed rates for New York mortgage loans fall at 6.18%, whereas 15-year fixed rates clock in at 5.81%, and 10-year fixed rates fall at 5.88%, respectively.
Refinance
As of November 2022, refinance rates for a 30-year fixed mortgage in New York is 6.74% vs. 6.14% for a 15-year fixed refinance. Both of these numbers are slightly higher than purchase rates in NY.
Keep in mind these are only averages. We highly recommend shopping around between different mortgage lenders to find your best rate based on your credit score, income, debt-to-income ratio, and other variables lenders use to determine creditworthiness.
What Are First-Time Homebuyer Programs Available to New Yorkers?
Fortunately, there are many first-time home buyer programs available to New Yorkers. They assist borrowers in securing lower mortgage interest rates and fees to offset below-average loan-to-value ratios and so-so-not-great credit scores.
One of New York’s most popular mortgage assistance programs is SONYMA. To qualify, you must be a first-time home buyer with good credit with cash reserves of up to 3% of the purchase price, depending on the type of property purchased.
Homeowners who risk losing their homes due to financial hardship can apply to the New York State Homeowner Assistance Fund.
They provide financial support and connect you with case managers who can advise on available mortgage relief programs. To learn more, give them a call at (844) 776-9423.
How To Find The Best Mortgage Lender in NY
Here are our top recommendations for finding the best mortgage lender in New York:
Ready Your Credit Score. Expand your eligibility for different NY loan programs by increasing your credit score. The higher your credit score, the lower your interest rates. You can pull your credit score from anniualcrediteport.com from the three credit bureaus —TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian.
Be sure to review your credit report with a fine-toothed comb. Check for errors and file any disputes if necessary.
New Yorkers can improve credit scores by paying their bills on time and lowering their credit utilization ratio. Remember, lenders aim for good debt-to-income ratios at or under 45%.
Shop Around. Be sure to compare rates from different lenders. One lender could offer you a full percentage point lower than a competing lender, thousands of dollars difference over the life of your loan. To learn your monthly mortgage payment, we highly recommend this mortgage calculator with real-time New York rates for 15-year fixed mortgages, 30-year fixed mortgages, and more.
Get Pre-Approved. After you have shopped around comparing quotes from different lenders, it’s time for mortgage pre-approval. Mortgage pre-approval letters to sellers’ real estate agents allow for quicker processing of your home loan once a home offer is ready.
Information needed for pre-approvals includes but is not limited to social security numbers, past two years of tax returns, employer information, and bank account balances.
How Do I Apply For a Mortgage in NY?
Here are all of the steps required to apply for a mortgage in New York:
Review Your Credit Score. First, check your credit score from each of the three major reporting credit bureaus (Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian) by visiting annualcreditreport.com. Then, evaluate each report with a fine-toothed comb, checking for errors.
To qualify for the lowest mortgage and refinance interest rates, a credit score of 620 or higher. If your credit score is 620 or less, try to boost your credit score before submitting a mortgage application. For example, try to pay off balances, lower your credit utilization ratio, and avoid missed payments. Even a single missed payment can drop your score by 40 points or more.
Consider Your Mortgage Type. The next step before applying for a mortgage is to determine which mortgage loan works best for you.
There are seven primary types of mortgage loans — 30-year fixed, 15-year fixed, adjustable rate, FHA (Federal Housing Administration), VA (Department of Veterans Affairs), USDA (US Department of Agriculture), and jumbo.
30-year fixed-rate mortgages are the most common type of mortgage, ensuring a set interest rate for all 30 years. Fixed rates and longer repayment terms are intended for lower monthly payments.
In turn, 15-year fixed-rate mortgages offer the same fixed rate benefit, with lower interest rates and higher monthly payments on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages. As a result, it’s a very popular refinancing option.
Others, like adjustable rate mortgages, have set a fixed rate for a predetermined before adjusting at regular intervals. For example, 10/1 ARM is code for fixed interest rates for the first ten years, followed by annual adjustments.
Less popular mortgage options like FHA, VA, and USDA applied to a specific population segment, such as first-time home buyers or former/current military service members. Benefits to FHA, VA, and USDA programs include down payments as low as 3.5%, lower minimum credit scores (as low as 500!), no down payments, and no mortgage insurance requirement.
Extensive Research. Once you have determined which mortgage option is correct, it’s time to research and compare lenders. Then, create a table, sorting lenders from lowest to highest rates.
Mortgage Pre-Approval. Is your research done? Now, it’s time for mortgage pre-qualification from a minimum of three lenders. To prepare, gather all necessary documentation, such as your employer information, savings/checking account information, past two years of tax returns (W-2s or 1099s), and other documentation required by your lender.
Compare Loan Estimates. Assuming all supporting documentation is complete, expect lenders to provide loan estimates with everything needed to learn about your loan, including interest rates, lender fees, and closing costs. Be sure to evaluate all the fine print, tallying costs and terms onto a spreadsheet necessary to make an informed decision.
Should I Refinance in New York?
Deciding whether or not to refinance in New York comes down to your existing loan terms, current mortgage rates in New York, and other factors.
Here are some pros and cons of refinancing in New York:
Pros
Lower Interest Rates. Refinancing a mortgage in NY works to obtain lower interest rates. As a rule of thumb, consider refinancing if interest rates drop by 2% or more. Use a mortgage calculator to calculate cost differences between your existing loan and your new refinance loan.
Shorter Loan Term. Refinancing to shorten loan terms from a 30-year fixed rate to 15 years has several advantages, most notably paying off your loan earlier without hiking monthly payments. For example, switching from a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage to a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage with a 2% interest rate difference would result in only a marginal difference in the monthly payment.
Working Your Equity. Cash-out refinancing allows New York homeowners to swap out their existing mortgage with a new loan with new terms. This may also help convert home equity Into Cash, which can be used to pay for all expenses, including home improvement projects and impromptu weddings.
Cons
Closing Costs. Closing costs for refinancing mortgages could equal up to 3% of your home loan. This results in an extensive break even to recoup your new loan closing costs. Only think of moving to a new home after your break-even period concludes. However, the good news is that some closing costs are negotiable such as origination fees.
Higher Monthly Mortgage Payments. If you are not careful, monthly refinance mortgage payments could be significantly higher than your old loan. In addition, higher monthly mortgage payments can lower your credit score due to your inability to pay on time, so be sure to use a mortgage calculator before every transaction.
What Are Some Tips For Refinancing in NY?
Here are some valuable tips for refinancing mortgage rates in New York:
Shop Around. Every time average interest rates drop by two percentage points or higher, check mortgage refinance rates quickly across a minimum of three lenders. Completing applications within a 40-day window for multiple lenders will not impact your credit score. Always use a mortgage calculator to determine your break-even point to ensure refinancing is worth it.
Improve Your Credit Score. Do not expect low interest rates if your credit score is below 620.
Remember, some mortgage loan types require lower minimum credit scores. For example, FHA Loans typically require 500+ credit scores, whereas some VA and USDA loans may not even carry minimums.
Fortunately, there are many ways to boost your credit score quickly, including paying off outstanding balances on credit cards with utilization ratios of 35% or higher. Other ways to boost credit scores include making on-time payments and ensuring a healthy credit mix.
Avoid Any Extravagant Purchases. Try to limit large purchases while refinancing. One more depth added to your credit profile could skew your debt-to-income ratio, disqualifying you from lower interest rates.
What Is The Best Mortgage Rate Calculator in New York?
Plenty of mortgage rate calculators online allow you to ask them for your monthly mortgage payments. However, not all are considered equal. Go for a mortgage rate calculator that helps with monthly mortgage payment calculations and the minimum income required to purchase a home.
You should also be able to define a loan payoff goal and include all taxes in closing costs to arrive at an estimated monthly mortgage payment.
With that said, we are big fans of Trulia’s affordability calculator. It offers basic and advanced options allowing you to input loan type and even property tax percentage. So play around and see what you come up with.
How Do We Pick These Lenders?
Our top recommendations for best payday loan alternatives in New York are made after hours of research, putting a fine tooth comb to 50+ banks, credit unions, and online lending platforms. Each was carefully assessed to determine the strength of APRs, fee structure, loan amounts, and perks like unemployment protection and strong forbearance/debt relief assistance. All of them are significantly better than some predatory payday advance and cash advance loans.
The team at ElitePersonal Finance will always provide unbiased reviews on the lending products and services we love. We’d love to hear from you if you have any feedback or suggestions. Send us info@elitepersonalfinance.com with your feedback, and we’ll reply as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find the cheapest mortgage rates in NY?
To find the cheapest mortgage rates in New York, including 30-year mortgage rates NY, 15-year mortgage rates NY, and 10-year mortgage rates NY, we recommend getting quotes from a minimum of three lenders. Look into historical and current rates, including cash out refinance rates, refi rates, and the lowest rates for perspective. Then, assess them based on interest rates, fees, points, tax credits, and closing costs.
What is mortgage pre-qualification in NY?
Mortgage pre-qualification is the process of submitting supporting documentation to mortgage lenders for them to assess your creditworthiness before a formal application. This process requires good credit and bad credit borrowers’ financial information, including income, residential history, employment history, social security number, and past two years of tax returns.
There are many advantages to mortgage pre-qualification. First, it defines the maximum loan amount you can borrow and increases the likelihood of your offer getting accepted. Expect to close on a home much faster, thanks to already submitting financial information.
Are credit pulls by mortgage lenders soft or hard inquiries in NY?
There are two types of credit pulls — soft and hard inquiries.
During the pre-qualification process, soft inquiries assist mortgage companies in determining a borrower’s creditworthiness. In turn, hard inquiries activate upon mortgage pre-approval once creditors have taken a deeper dive into your mortgage application.
Remember, most lenders will require that you submit credit scores from each of the three major reporting credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. So be sure to check all credit reports for accuracy. Even a single reporting error could drop your score by 20 points or more. Also, pay attention to personal information, account status, and balances.
What is the difference between the annual percentage rate (APR) and interest rate?
The difference between APR and interest rate lies in the formula.
Interest rates offered by mortgage companies imply a cost of borrowing money. For example, a $100,000 loan at a 6% interest rate and a five-year repayment equals a total balance of $130,000 after Year 5.
APR is your mortgage’s total cost, including all fees and closing costs. These fees include origination, application, and points fees.
Note: not all lenders are transparent in disclosing fees baked into their APRs. Be sure to ask your lender how they calculate APRs to make the best informed decision.
How do I find the best personalized offers in NY?
Here are our top suggestions for finding the best personalized offers in New York.
To find the best personalized offers in NY, we highly recommend working with a mortgage broker. Mortgage brokers uncover every detail on your financial background to determine the correct loan type and terms. Today, mortgage brokers charge up to 2.75% of the financed amount for their services, which may be advantageous if you do not have the time to do the research on your own.
How much are closing costs for mortgages in NY?
Closing cost for mortgages in New York depends on the lender. Generally, they can consume up to 5% of the total loan cost, including title insurance, property taxes, and more. This means a $450,000 home loan could equal up to $22,500 in closing costs.
There are two ways you can pay closing costs. One is with a one-time upfront payment upon closing, and the second is to roll closing costs into loan financing, which will accrue interest. Most people opt for the one-time upfront payment.
If you anticipate having issues paying off closing costs, check with local New York resources to see what, if any programs are available.
How often do mortgage rates in NY change? Why?
New York mortgage rates change daily in line with economic and market pricing conditions. As a result, many New Yorkers have speculated days of the week mortgage rates are lowest or stabilized. However, there are too many variables to accurately predict, as mortgage rates are based on mortgage-backed securities pricing, today’s economic report, supply and demand, and other factors.
For the latest mortgage rates, visit Google’s helpful Rate Calculator
It even provides options to view average rates for 30-year fixed, 15-year fixed, and other loan types by entering a loan amount, down payment, credit score, and the state where you plan on purchasing a house.
What is a mortgage lock?
Also referred to as mortgage rate protection, mortgage locks are guaranteed by your lender that a specified interest rate on a mortgage will be upheld between the offer and closing. It’s an excellent way for borrowers to have greater peace of mind knowing that their interest rate will not change as long as they agree to close within an agreed-upon time frame.
Today most mortgage rate locks stay in place for 15 to 60 days. If you anticipate closing your loan after the rate lock expires, you may be able to pay an extension fee. Any changes to your mortgage application may require your lender to void your rate lock.
With today’s economic climate, rising inflation, and other Federal Reserve factors changing daily (even hourly at times!), it helps to have this predictability so that home buyers can rest assured knowing that costs won’t explode for whatever reason.
How do I lock in an offer that I like?
To lock in a mortgage rate, let your lender know as soon as your mortgage application is approved.
Conclusion
All in all, there are many mortgage lending opportunities available to New Yorkers with good to great credit scores. From SuperMoney with its expansive network of lenders to Bethpage Federal Credit Union with its strong focus on attracting investment buyers, there is a mortgage company in line for everyone. Thanks for trusting ElitePersonalFinance in becoming your go-to resource for all things related to NY mortgage loans.