“Marry the House, Date the Rate”; 5 Pitfalls of this Homebuying Strategy

In today’s fluctuating real estate market, the phrase “Marry the House, Date the Rate” has become a popular mantra among homebuyers. The idea is simple: find a home you love, commit to it, and don’t worry too much about the current interest rate since you can always refinance when rates drop. But is this strategy as foolproof as it sounds?

Let’s delve into five potential pitfalls of this homebuying strategy, ensuring you’re making a well-informed decision when purchasing your dream home.

Can You Afford the Mortgage Payment Now?

The foundation of the “Marry the House, Date the Rate” strategy is the assumption that you can afford the mortgage payment at the current interest rate. However, if your budget is stretched thin at the time of purchase, you could find yourself in financial trouble if rates don’t drop as expected. Marrying the right home also means marrying the right payment. Your budget should guide you in this crucial decision, ensuring you’re comfortable with the payments you’re committing to from day one.

The Risk of Rates Not Dropping

One of the biggest risks with this strategy is the assumption that interest rates will eventually decrease, allowing you to refinance at a lower rate. But what if rates don’t go down? Relying on predictions and hoping for a better rate in the future can be a risky gamble, especially if you’re already stretching your budget. It’s essential to focus on what you can afford now, not on the possibility of refinancing in the future.

Refinancing Isn’t Always as Easy as It Seems

Let’s say you’ve married a home and notice interest rates starting to drop. You might wonder how soon after buying your home you can begin to “date the rate” and refinance. The answer depends on your lender and the specific terms of your current loan. Some loans have restrictions on how soon you can refinance, and others may come with penalties for early refinancing. It’s important to understand these details before committing to the “Date the Rate” strategy.

Refinancing Costs Add Up

Refinancing your mortgage isn’t free. Closing costs typically range from 2% to 6% of the loan amount, which can add up quickly. Before deciding to refinance, you need to determine whether the savings from a lower interest rate will outweigh the costs of refinancing. If not, you could end up paying more in the long run, negating any potential benefits of a lower rate.

Waiting for the Magic Rate

When you’re “dating the rate” to lower your monthly mortgage payments, it’s crucial to identify the rate that makes refinancing worthwhile. A common rule of thumb is to consider refinancing when mortgage interest rates are at least 1.5% to 2% lower than your current rate. However, waiting for that perfect rate can be challenging, especially in a volatile market. You may find yourself in a situation where rates don’t drop low enough to make refinancing worthwhile, leaving you with the original higher payment.