Here’s a strategy to buy a home and set up a future refinance

For families looking to purchase a home, good news has arrived interest rates are slowly starting to descend. As time goes on purchasing power for family’s home searching will rise. So, the benefit of this is a lower monthly payment, potentially qualifying for a larger priced home by market forces. Here are some things to consider if you’re going to be getting pre-approved to purchase a home…

If you are desiring to purchase a home, and it boils down to a cost benefit how do you purchase a home while at the same time setting yourself up for the maximum benefit to refinance? Here’s how-Let’s say you can get an interest rate at 6.7 5% on a 30-year fixed and it’s going to cost you one percentage point of your loan amount and your loan amount is let’s say $300,000. If the comparative interest rate does not contain that discount point the rate is 7.5%. You have some considerations to evaluate. More specifically here’s what the math will boil down to. If you set that additional point to purchase the interest rate down and then you can refinance, and you refinance and pay closing costs you will lose money. In other words, the interest rate when you go to refinance has to be so significant and so large that it offsets the monetary loss you paid to get the lower rate in the first place. Another strategy might not be to consider spending the extra cost and getting the lower rate, but rather to take a slightly higher interest rate and pay little or no points knowing you’re going to be able to refinance anyway. This is what most banks and lenders are selling would be good mortgage borrowers in this market.

There is a better way…

Can the mortgage company you’re working with can do the purchase loan for you, service the loan for you and when comes time to refinance the loan, do it without fees . Let’s say you take that 6.75 interest rate and you pay the one point in order to secure the rate. When you go to refinance and let’s say the rates go down to say 6% and you can lower your interest rate 75 basis points lowering your monthly payment a few hundred dollars per month and it doesn’t cost you anything because the lender you’re working with is servicing your loan and paying the closing costs for you that becomes win not only for the lender, but also for you because you’re saving money using the old financing strategy of other people’s money OPM. This is a wonderful way to use the lender’s money to help you chip away at your debt and help you reduce the interest expense on your loan. Not all, but most mortgage companies will let you refinance every six months. Doing so if rates are going down and there’s a net tangible benefit every six months for example could absolutely unequivocally benefit you and heavily reduce the interest expense on your loan as long as you have a proactive mortgage professional taking an active approach into watching your loan and identifying opportunities for you to save money with no costs.

This is a proven strategy that will ensure that you save thousands over the course of time on your loan. However not all mortgage companies take this type of approach. Arguably ,70% of mortgage companies in America today will originate your loan and then you will never hear from that company or mortgage professional ever again and unfortunately, it’s a disservice that exists within the mortgage space. You want a loan officer who takes an interactive financial consultative approach to helping you manage your mortgage over the course of time and helps make you aware of market opportunities you can decide on. Another thing you might want to give some consideration too is will the lender allow a float down on your mortgage. A float down essentially allows you to secure a lower interest rate usually one time between when you lock in your interest rate and the close of escrow on your mortgage loan. The float down allows you to get a lower monthly payment after locking in a rate during your loan process. It also helps lower your debt to income ratio which could be problematic in the future particularly the debt ration was high from the start and any change occurs in the process.
If you’re looking for a mortgage loan and you’re looking for someone to take a proactive approach to helping you manage the cost of your mortgage, while giving you a complimentary quote and offering you a float down start today by getting a complimentary pre-qual.

RELATED MORTGAGE ADVICE FROM SCOTT SHELDON

A wallet containing colorful credit cards with a bold text overlay reading "Refinancing Strategies to Reduce Credit Card Debt and Buy a Home – Refinance" against a blue background.

Refinancing Strategies to Reduce Credit Card Debt and Buy a Home

Refinancing Strategies to Reduce Credit Card Debt and Buy a Home If you’re sitting on…

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.

The Risks of Chasing a Lower Mortgage Rate

Why Chasing a Lower Mortgage Rate Can Backfire When buying a home, it’s natural to…

A woman sitting at a kitchen table looking through documents with an American flag and framed military photo beside her, symbolizing a surviving spouse exploring VA loan options.

VA Loan Options for Surviving Spouses

Understanding VA Loan Refinance Options for Surviving Spouses Losing a spouse is one of life’s…

Smiling man holding a "Mortgage Approved" sign in front of a modern home and a DSCR loan presentation board showing rental income exceeding mortgage payments.

How to Buy a Home Without a Job Using a Rental Property Loan Strategy

If you’ve got solid credit and a decent amount of cash on hand—but no W2…

View More from The Mortgage Files:

begin your mortgage journey with sonoma county mortgages

Let us make your mortgage experience easy. Trust our expertise to get you your best mortgage rate. Click below to start turning your home dreams into reality today!