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How can I get a lower mortgage rate?

Quick answer

Six levers: (1) Improve credit score above 760, (2) increase down payment to 20%+, (3) reduce debt-to-income ratio below 36%, (4) compare 3+ lenders, (5) buy mortgage points if you'll stay 5+ years (1 point = ~0.25% rate reduction), (6) consider a 15-year over a 30-year (typically 0.5-0.75% lower).

More context

Six levers: (1) Improve credit score above 760, (2) increase down payment to 20%+, (3) reduce debt-to-income ratio below 36%, (4) compare 3+ lenders, (5) buy mortgage points if you'll stay 5+ years (1 point = ~0.25% rate reduction), (6) consider a 15-year over a 30-year (typically 0.5-0.75% lower). The exact answer depends on your specific situation — the numbers above are a strong starting point, but the right next step is to plug in your actual figures.

For a deeper analysis, use one of the related tools below — they take your specific income, debt, location, and goals as inputs and produce a tailored answer.

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