15 or 30 year fix Mortgage? Depends on How Much Money You Want To Burn

A common misconception buyers think is that a 15 year fix mortgage will be twice as much payment as a 30 year fixed.

Lets consider the following example:

Purchase Price – $250,000 –

Down Payment 20% – $50,000

Loan Amount – $200,000

Interest Rate 30 year fix – 3.5%

Payment For Principal and Interest – $898.09

Finance Charge over 30 years – $132.311.97

Now let’s consider a 15 year mortgage

Interest Rate 15 year fix – 2.625%

Payment For Principal and Interest – $1345.38

Finance Charge over 15 years – $42,168.18

As you can see from the above example, switching to a 15 year fix, you pay the mortgage off in half the time, save over $90,000.  You are burning way less money!

For the buyer who wants to pay off his mortgage this quickly, I would suggest doing so in a manner that is not going to put you in any sort of payment shock. Keep you Debt To Income Ratios under control, and put your future money to work for you in an interest bearing account, and live mortgage free

Also, as a home buyer when you are out with your Real Estate Agent looking at properties, it might be wise to look at a lower price point home, with the thought of paying off the mortgage early, with the income you are making now. Life happens, and many of us think that we will make more money over time, get bonuses, windfalls, payouts, etc, and opt for a home that is out of there budget, and buy on emotion. It is much wiser, in my opinion to buy the home with the GOAL of paying it off. This way, when you are mortgage FREE on your first home, you can always TRADE up.

We have a tool where you see how much home you can afford using different home prices and rates.  Be sure to consult with your local mortgage broker to see what types of home loans would save you the most money.