Mortgage Strategy Guide

Master the Art of Mortgage Buydowns

Unlock the secrets to reducing your monthly payments and saving thousands over the life of your loan with strategic buydown techniques

3-2-1
Buydown Structure
$500+
Monthly Savings
5 Min
Read Time
Equitable Lending Experts
Published • 5 min read
Home Blog Mortgage Buydown Guide
5 minute read

What is a Mortgage Buydown and How Can It Save You Money?

A mortgage buydown is a strategic financing technique that allows you to secure a lower interest rate on your home loan by paying additional upfront costs. Think of it as "buying" a reduced interest rate that can save you hundreds of dollars monthly and thousands over the loan's lifetime.

Key Insight

Buydowns are particularly powerful in rising rate environments, allowing you to lock in lower payments during the early years of your mortgage.

Types of Mortgage Buydowns

Temporary Buydown

3-2-1 Structure

Reduces your interest rate for the first few years of the loan. Popular options include 2-1 buydowns (2% below market rate year 1, 1% below year 2) or 3-2-1 buydowns.

Example: $400,000 loan at 7% market rate
Year 1
4.0%
Year 2
5.0%
Year 3
6.0%
Year 4+
7.0%

Permanent Buydown

Discount Points

Permanently reduces your interest rate for the entire loan term by purchasing discount points. Each point typically costs 1% of the loan amount and reduces the rate by 0.25%.

Example: $400,000 loan
2 Points ($8,000) 6.5% vs 7.0%
Monthly Savings: ~$120

Why Choose a Mortgage Buydown?

Strategic advantages that make buydowns a smart financing choice

Lower Payments

Reduce monthly mortgage payments significantly during the initial years of your loan.

Easier Qualification

Lower initial payments can help you qualify for a larger loan amount.

Cash Flow

Improve cash flow during early homeownership when expenses are typically highest.

Rate Protection

Shield yourself from high interest rates during volatile market conditions.

Income Growth

Perfect for borrowers expecting income increases in the coming years.

Seller Credits

Often funded by sellers or builders as part of purchase negotiations.

Ready to Explore Buydown Options?

Our mortgage experts will analyze your situation and show you exactly how much you can save with a strategic buydown approach.

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