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Loans

Should I Pay Discount Points For A Lower Interest Rate?

Very Good (46 Ratings)

3.0869568/5

In some cases, you may decide to "buy down the interest rate" by paying extra money up front in the form of discount points. Use this calculator to help determine if this might makes sense for you.

Mortgage Alternatives and Assumptions	Input
Loan amount	$
Number of years	(1-40)

Mortgage Alternatives and Assumptions	Loan1: Less Points	Loan2: More Points
Annual interest rate: (%)	(0-30)%	(0-30)%
Discount points (if any): (%)	(0-5)%	(0-5)%

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Mortgage Input and Assumptions
Loan amount
Number of years

Analysis	Loan1	Loan2	Totals
Monthly payment (P and I)
Difference in discount points between the two loans
Divided by the monthly payment savings
Equals the months to breakeven

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This calculator is provided by Financial Calculators, Inc., and is intended solely for general information and educational purposes. You should not take any action on the basis of the information provided through this calculator. Please see the disclaimer for further information and limitations.

Rate This calculator

Very Good (46 Ratings)

3/5

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Rates

See today's average rates across the country.

• Mortgage

  Loan Type	Today	Last Week
  30 Year Fixed	5.76%	5.69%
  15 Year Fixed	5.36%	5.28%
  1 Year ARM	5.90%	5.85%
  30 Year Fixed Jumbo	7.04%	6.97%
  5/1 ARM	5.23%	5.09%
  3/1 ARM	5.20%	5.02%

  Source: Bankrate
• Home Equity

  Loan Type	Today	Last Week
  $30K Home Equity Loan	7.51%	7.42%
  $50K Home Equity Loan	7.37%	7.26%
  $75K Home Equity Loan	7.56%	7.50%
  $30K HELOC	5.01%	5.02%
  $50K HELOC	4.49%	4.17%
  $75K HELOC	4.48%	4.16%

  Source: Bankrate
• Savings

  Savings Type	Today	Last Week
  6 month CD	2.72%	2.76%
  1 year CD	3.03%	3.03%
  3 year CD	3.26%	3.18%
  MMA	2.33%	2.35%
  $10K MMA	2.52%	2.54%
  $25K MMA	2.90%	2.93%

  Source: Bankrate
• Auto

  Loan Type	Today	Last Week
  36 Month New Car Loan	6.80%	6.66%
  48 Month New Car Loan	6.92%	6.58%
  60 Month New Car Loan	6.64%	6.57%
  72 Month New Car Loan	7.19%	7.10%
  36 Month Used Car Loan	7.16%	7.17%
  48 Month Used Car Loan	7.05%	6.89%

  Source: Bankrate
• Credit Cards

  Card Type	Today	Last Week
  Balance Transfer	10.31%	10.03%
  Low Interest	11.01%	10.97%
  For Bad Credit	13.02%	13.12%
  Cash Back	11.47%	11.46%
  Business	11.10%	10.91%
  Airline	12.75%	12.69%

  Source: CreditCards.com

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