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All About Bi-Weekly Mortgages

Mark Cappel
UpdatedMar 26, 2024

Is there such a mortgage called a bi-weekly mortgage where you pay half of your monthly mortgage amount every two weeks?

Is there such a mortgage called a bi-weekly mortgage where you pay half of your monthly mortgage amount every two weeks? I heard the benefit of this mortgage is that you can cut the life of the loan by several years. Is this true?

There are many people that make bi-weekly mortgage payments, but there are several things to consider when considering this option. A bi-weekly mortgage payment benefits you by allowing you to pay off your mortgage more quickly (several years in some cases) than you would in a traditional mortgage, which can save thousands in interest. It does this in two ways. First, by making bi-weekly mortgage payments, you will make 26 half payments a year (in a 52 week year) instead of 12 full payments in a traditional mortgage. Effectively, you are making one additional mortgage payment a year. Second, the first bi-weekly payment each month is typically credited to your balance in the middle of the month, instead of at the end of the month, which reduces balance more quickly and the interest that you owe.

Before making bi-weekly mortgage payments, remember to check that each bi-weekly payment will be credited immediately to the balance of the loan (and not credited at the end of the month).

If you are looking to refinance your first mortgage, Bills.com makes it easy to compare mortgage offers and different loan types.

I hope this information helps you Find. Learn. Save.

Best,

Bill

Bills.com

The Latest on Mortgage Rates

It is expected that mortgage rates are subject to change. Homebuyers and those refinancing their mortgages should pay close attention to the latest mortgage rate

Mortgage rates February 21, 2024
According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year mortgage rate for the week of February 21, 2024 stands at 6.9%. This reflects a 13 basis points increase from the previous week's rate.
Note: A basis point is equal to one-hundredth of one percent (0.01%). In numerical terms, if the mortgage rate changes by 20 basis points, it means the rate has changed by 0.20%.
Additionally, Freddie Mac reports that the 15-year mortgage rate for February 21, 2024 is 6.29%, indicating a 17 basis points increase from last week’s rates.

What does the mortgage rate mean for you?
Mortgage rates play a vital role in determining your monthly payment. Let's take a look at the avergage interest rates (APR) for February 25, 2024 based on Zillow data for borrowers with a high credit score (680-740) in the United States:

  • For a 30-year conventional loan, the interest rate is 6.88%.
  • If you opt for a 15-year conventional loan, the interest rate stands at 6.08%.
    Using the rates mentioned above, a $279,082 30-year-year mortgage would result in a monthly payment of $1,834. On the other hand, a 15-year mortgage would require a monthly payment of approximately $2,367.

Explore your options and secure pre-approval today!
To make your life easier, we highly recommend shopping around for mortgages and getting pre-approved. This will streamline the home-buying or refinancing process and make it a breeze. Ready to get started? Check Out mortgage rates now for the best options available.

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