Que Es Points (Discount Points)?
Los puntos de descuento (o "comprar la tasa") son tarifas iniciales que le pagas al prestamista al cierre a cambio de una tasa de interés más baja. Un punto cuesta el 1% del monto del préstamo y típicamente reduce la tasa en 0.25%. Es esencialmente prepagar intereses.
Datos Clave
- One point = 1% of the loan amount (e.g., $5,850 on a $585,000 loan).
- Points typically reduce your rate by about 0.25% per point (varies by lender).
- Points make sense if you plan to keep the loan long enough to recoup the upfront cost.
- The "break-even" point is usually 4-7 years.
- Points may be tax-deductible in the year you buy (consult a tax advisor).
Ejemplo Practico
Loan: $585,000. Without points: 6.75% rate, $3,794/month. Buy 1 point ($5,850): rate drops to 6.5%, payment becomes $3,696/month. You save $98/month. Break-even: about 60 months (5 years). If you keep the loan 10+ years, you save over $5,900.
Por Que Importa
Points are a strategic decision. If you're staying in the home long-term, buying points can save tens of thousands. If you might sell or refinance within a few years, it's usually not worth the upfront cost.