The mortgage business is highly competitive, and the methods for awarding mortgages is is not random at all but is based on mathematics and probability. It is basically all about risk management. The higher the risk of default of an applicant, the higher is the interest rate and of course vice-versa, the lower the risk, the lower the mortgage rate. If the risk is too high for the mortgage company, they will simply deny the mortgage.
Mortgage companies generally published interest rates for their mortgage products. However, this can go up or down based on adjustments that are made in each individual case. Such adjustment can give you a higher rate or a lower rate depending on the circumstances. Ultimately they are all aimed at identifying risk.
Major Factors that go into the Best Mortgage Rate
The following table shows some common factors that go into your mortgage rate calculation. Getting the best rate means to manage these factors wisely for your particular case.
Factor | Better Rate |
Worse Rate |
Rate Impact |
Property Type |
Single Family Home |
Condo Multi Family |
Medium |
Occupancy |
Primary Residence |
Second Home Investment Property |
High |
Loan Amount |
Below $417.000 |
Above $417,000 (Jumbo) |
Medium |
Mortgage Company |
High Rates |
Low Rates | Medium |
Mortgage Broker | High Brokerage Fees |
Low or no Brokerage Fee | Medium |
Appraiser |
Reliable Market value appraial | Below Market value appraisal | Low |
Type of Mortgage |
15 Year Mortgage Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) Fanny Mae Loan VA Loan |
30 Year Mortgage Interest Only Loans |
High |
Documentation | Full Documentation | No Documentation, SIVA, SISA, NINA | High |
Down Payment | 20% and Above | Below 20% | High |
Points | Pay Mortgage Points | Don't pay Mortgage Points | High |
Credit Score | Above 720 score | Below 660 Score | High |
Employment Stability |
More than 2 years Increasing Income |
Less than 2 years Declining Income Self-Employment |
High |
Income Stability | Stable Income over many years Increasing Income |
Unstable income Declining income |
High |
Debt compared to Income |
Monthly debt payment <25% of income Mortgage Payment < 35% of income |
Monthly debt payment >25% of income Mortgage Payment >35% of income |
High |
Cash Reserves |
Cash reseves 6 month or higher |
Less than six months cash reserves | Medium |