) {5 U/ w/ D1 C' N3 w 2 i7 f3 f0 d4 X1 G+ Y" a% A2 fVariables Get More Competitive 5 M1 j2 L1 n- A& |- F( n( k" I5 b; c7 i
Variable-rate mortgages are inching closer and closer to prime.2 w& Y8 f% {3 B5 _7 K
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This week we saw a few lenders drop down to prime + 0.15%. Nationwide variable rates haven’t been this low since last fall. 2 v, Y# S! V7 J; p 4 l" R0 {# @2 R+ | Merix and MCAP were among the lenders cutting rates this week. Each is now offering prime + 0.15%, on 3-year and 32-month terms respectively. 4 Q& K7 |+ Q6 S& p' AYou might ask yourself, “Why would I want a variable term under five years?” ) P6 J3 _9 U- V# ^( C4 d& JThe answer is based on the belief that variable-rate mortgages will once again be offered at discounts to prime. If that occurs in the next 3 years, then a 36-month term lets you reduce your rate quicker than if you were locked into a 5-year term (unless you broke early and paid the penalty, of course). A* \5 p4 b. M+ q3 J : R/ L* \4 j5 T$ O+ ^What’s more, these shorter-term variables are priced a little better than 5-year variables (2.40% for a 3-year versus 2.45% to 2.65% for a 5-year).