When searching for a mortgage, many homeowners might wonder: “What is APR?” Mortgage loans have interest rates, but also other costs - this is where the annual percentage rate (APR) comes into play.
But what exactly does APR mean, and why does it matter for mortgages? Here is a basic guide to help you understand this crucial aspect of a loan estimate:
APR, or annual percentage rate, represents the amount of interest you’ll pay on a loan yearly. It’s a term you’re likely to encounter in the financial world, as credit card companies and lenders are required to include APR in their advertisements.
With mortgages, the advertised APR may be different from the mortgage interest rate. This is because the APR includes other factors like lender fees, closing costs, mortgage points and private mortgage insurance along with the regular interest rate.
One simple way to compare APR and mortgage interest rates is to consider APR to be the “overall cost” of borrowing money for your home. While your mortgage rate directly affects your monthly mortgage payments, the APR reflects the total annual cost of the mortgage.
For this reason, many experts recommend comparing APR when shopping for a loan. The Truth in Lending Act (TILA) requires both lenders and credit card companies to disclose the APR up front, which makes it simpler to compare. However, it’s important to check with each individual lender to find out which fees are included in their advertised APR.
Mortgage APR is important to understand along with the myriad other financial terms in the real estate world. The more you know about what goes into your potential loan payments, the better decision you can make on a mortgage.
“I sell your home like it's mine”
A licensed real estate salesperson since 2016, Rob is affiliated with the Briarcliff Manor office of Corcoran Legends Realty. He serves buyers, sellers, renters, in Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam counties. Rob, a native of New York and Westchester County for most of his life, brings an extensive local knowledge of both residential and commercial properties to the table. His experience includes a wide range of property types – single-family, multi-family, condos and mixed use. “Hard to sell” properties is where Rob really excels. “There’s no problem that cannot be solved.”
Rob is certified for many different disciplines in real estate. Cartus Relocation Network Agent, AARP Agent, National Tenants Network (NTN) Agent, Green certified and Pricing Strategies Master. In addition, Rob has completed the Leader’s Edge Advanced training to better serve his clients. Rob has been both associate of the month and top closed dollar agent.
When you work with Rob, you get the feeling you’re his only client. Numbers don’t count, you do. Clients always come first. Each transaction is handled as if it were his own home. Rob strives to make the process as seamless as possible and takes care of all the details, no matter how small. His clients rave about his above-and-beyond service and prompt informative communication. Rob is easy going, friendly, and patient. However he can be a determined and aggressive negotiator when the need arises.
When not out actively working on behalf of his clients, Rob spends time with his wife and two teenage daughters. A devoted supporter of community he sits on several local boards and volunteers for numerous locale nonprofit organizations. He enjoys cycling, hiking, kayaking and winter skiing.
“May your price be right, and your sale be swift!”