Use An Accurate Mortgage Calculator

If you are thinking about taking out a mortgage loan run some payment scenarios first. Figure out how much you can afford based upon using a simple mortgage loan calculator which will give you your payment, property taxes, fire insurance as well as take into consideration any extra principal payments that you choose to make which can help save you thousands of dollars.

Getting a competitive rate of interest as well as flexible financing terms is important, however the payment over the 180 months or 360 month term is far more important to your personal finances.

By using an accurate mortgage payment calculator, you can see if taking on a new Sonoma County Mortgage even make sense.

By using this mortgage payment payment calculator. You can begin gathering information so you can ultimately decide down the road at purchasing a house is the right decision or not. You can also use this mortgage calculator if you are considering a refinance scenario to determine your total new house payment.

Let’s say you’re looking to finance $300,000 on a 30 year fixed-rate mortgage at 4.125%. You can put in annual property taxes of 3750 per year or any number for that matter. You can also use $720 per year for fire insurance and let’s say you’re gonna make an extra $50 per month as it mortgage principal prepayment ( great strategy by the way).

Here’s how the math breaks down:

The total house payment is $1898.32 per month. This is comprised of $1525.82 for principal and interest. Hazard insurance is $60 per month and if you’re factoring in the extra $50 for principal balance reduction the total payment comes to $1948.32 per month. Doing this, shaves off nearly 2 years on your mortgage so your mortgage free in 28.2 years.

When factoring your mortgage payment focus on the total payment which includes fire insurance and property taxes monthly basis. You have two choices when it comes to mortgage loan financing.

1. Set up a monthly escrow account so your total payment includes principal and interest, taxes, insurance, and mortgage insurance if applicable.

2. Set up the mortgage so the only payment you have to make is the principal and interest payment.

Note: by setting the mortgage up without factoring in the property taxes and insurance on a monthly basis, you’ll be responsible for writing an annual check to your fire insurance company and you’ll also be responsible for writing two checks per year to the County tax collector. property taxes are due on April 10 and December 10.

You can use accurate mortgage payment calculator or you can call us.

We can run the numbers for you for a 30 year fixed-rate mortgage, 15 year fixed-rate mortgage and many other loan programs available on the market today. You can also run the math yourself by visiting our easy mortgage payment calculator to see how your mortgage interest rate will affect your total house payment.

After trying out a mortgage calculator, give us a shot at giving you a competitive mortgage interest rate quote.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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RELATED MORTGAGE ADVICE FROM SCOTT SHELDON

When buying a home, it’s natural to want the lowest mortgage rate possible. But sometimes, chasing a slightly better rate from another lender—especially after your offer has already been accepted—can backfire in a big way. Let’s walk through a real-world scenario. You’ve got an offer accepted on a house. You’re working with a lender who has you approved, documents in underwriting, and a 21-day close of escrow in place. Everything is moving forward. Then you hear from another lender offering a rate that’s 0.25% lower, with slightly better closing costs. It’s tempting. But before you make a jump, here’s what you need to consider. Switching Lenders Comes with Time Costs When you pivot to a new lender mid-contract, they’ll need to: Re-underwrite your entire loan, Order a new appraisal, Disclose and sign new loan documents, Submit the file for final loan approval, Schedule and fund closing—all over again. This doesn’t happen overnight. Even in ideal circumstances, the new lender is likely going to need at least 25–30 days to close. If you’re in a fast-moving or competitive market, this is a real problem. Most sellers won’t grant a contract extension just because you’re switching lenders. So, what happens next? A Contract Extension Can Jeopardize Your Deal Asking for a contract extension means the seller must agree to delay closing. But that delay introduces risk—especially if the seller has backup offers or simply wants certainty. They may not grant the extension. Or worse, they could cancel the deal outright and take another buyer’s offer. Even if the seller agrees to extend, your earnest money and negotiation power could take a hit. And for what? A slightly lower rate that might save you $50 to $75 a month? Mortgage Rates Aren’t as Far Apart as You Think Here’s the truth: all mortgage lenders get their money from the same place—the bond market. The pricing differences between lenders usually range from 0.125% to 0.25% in rate on any given day. If one lender seems to be offering dramatically better pricing, the first thing you should ask is: How? Head over to FreddieMac.com and check the average 30-year fixed rate posted weekly. This is one of the most reliable benchmarks for where rates truly stand in the market. If a lender is quoting you a rate that’s well below that average, ask for the details: Are they charging extra points? Is this a teaser rate with a prepayment penalty? Is it based on a different loan product or risky structure? Often, what sounds “too good to be true”… is. Consider the Bigger Picture Think long-term. If you’re financing $600,000, a 0.25% lower rate may reduce your payment by roughly $75/month. But what if you lose the house and have to start over? That monthly savings doesn’t mean much if you’re outbid on your dream home or lose your deposit. Also, remember: you’re not going to keep this rate forever. Today’s homebuyers typically refinance when rates drop by about 0.75% or more. So if rates fall within the next year or two, you’ll likely be refinancing anyway. Instead of paying extra points now or risking the entire deal for a minor monthly savings, it may be better to accept a slightly higher rate—knowing you’ll refinance when the time is right. The Real Risk Isn’t the Rate—It’s the Delay When shopping for a home loan, don’t just ask, “What’s your rate?” Ask: Can you close on time? Is this rate sustainable or based on hidden costs? Will switching lenders delay or jeopardize my contract? A home purchase contract is a binding agreement between you and the seller to perform within a set timeframe. If you can’t meet those dates because you're chasing a slightly better rate elsewhere, you may want to reconsider if now is the right time to buy. Final Thoughts Yes, interest rates matter. But execution matters more. Before making a switch mid-transaction, talk to your lender. Have an honest conversation about pricing, timelines, and strategy. You might find that staying the course, securing the house, and planning to refinance later offers a better path to financial security. Want to Know Your Options? Let’s compare rates and strategies the smart way—without risking your dream home. 👉 Click here to get a custom rate quote today.

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1 Comments

  1. […] nothing back from your mortgage lender. Remember this person that’s putting your mortgage loan together has an enormously large responsibility in making sure your loan actually closes. Don’t you […]



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