Mortgages
Strategies for Saving Money on your Mortgage
By Seymore Hennigan
Nov 2, 2005, 11:47

We all like to save money.  Why pay more for something, when you can pay less?  We could all use an extra few dollars in our pockets, couldn’t we?  Most people don’t realize that there are a number of ways to save money on their mortgage.  If you were to take out a mortgage on a 25 year term, chances are that by the time you repay the entire loan you will have paid the bank double the amount you borrowed.  And you wonder how the banks are making record profits?

One of the best ways to save money on your mortgage is to put down the biggest down payment you possibly can.  This way, the initial amount you are borrowing from the bank is lower and the interest you are paying back will be less than if you borrowed a larger amount.  Most of us do not have tens of thousands of dollars sitting around.  If possible, why not consider borrowing your down payment from a family member?  The banks are not particularly keen on this practice, but if someone in your family can afford to loan you the money without interest it can be very helpful in the long run.

Another thing to consider, once you have been approved for a mortgage, is your repayment frequency.  Most people opt for a simple monthly payment.  There are other ways, however, to approach this.  Why not increase the rate of repayment?  If you can manage making a mortgage payment either weekly or bi-weekly, you will save thousands of dollars over the term of your mortgage.  Many banks will also allow you to make an annual lump sum payment on the principle of your mortgage.  It is wise to take advantage of this opportunity, as you are paying directly on the principle amount of your loan.

For most people, purchasing a home is the single greatest investment they make in their lifetime.  Owning a home provides stability for your family, and in time you will have a significant amount of equity tied up.  Buying a house can be considered an investment, and you should look at ways to maximize your investment.  There are ways to save money on your mortgage, and you would be wise to consider all of your options.  Wouldn’t you rather make your money work for you, than to always work for your money?  Short term compromises can lead to long term savings.  Think ahead!

Seymore Hennigan has worked in finance for many years.  When he is not crunching numbers or advising his family and friends on investments, he writes freelance articles for mortgageguide101.com – an independent mortgage guide filled with extensive information about buying a new home, home buying tips, first time home buying and more.