Florida VA loan RATES TODAY
Current VA loan rates in
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Current VA loan rates in
Compare VA loan rates in Florida.
Key Points
• VA loan rates are influenced by economic factors such as inflation and bond market dynamics.
• A mere 1% drop in the VA loan rate can translate to hefty savings on interest.
• Opting for a 15-year mortgage could be a smart move, helping you save on interest in the long run, even if the monthly payments are a bit steeper.
• Some borrowers refinance out of or into adjustable-rate mortgages. These typically have lower initial refinance rates and could be a good option for those who plan to move or refinance in the near future.
• Homeowners can request a mortgage recast to lower monthly payments without changing the VA loan rate. The typical cost is $100 to $500.
Introduction to VA loan Rates
A VA loan is the process of replacing your existing home loan with a new one. The terms of the new mortgage can be different, but the most common goal is to secure a lower interest rate and reduced monthly mortgage payments. The type of refinance you choose will determine your interest rate. This guide will help you understand how current mortgage rates are set and how you can get the best available rate. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of what to expect and how to make an informed decision about refinancing your home.
Where Do Mortgage Rates Come From?
The Federal Reserve, aka the Fed, sets the short-term interest rates that banks use. Although home loan rates aren’t directly tied to Fed rates, they follow the same economic trends. So when the Fed’s interest rate is high, chances are mortgage rates will be too.
Other mortgage rate influencers include the bond market, inflation, and the unemployment rate. We’ll get into those more below.
How Interest Rates Affect Home Affordability
Mortgage rates have a bigger impact on home affordability than you may realize. Consider the national median home price of $412,300 for Q2 2024. With a 30-year fixed mortgage at 3.00%, the monthly payment is approximately $1,390. However, if the interest rate increases to 6.00%, the monthly payment jumps to $1,977. Such an increase — more than 40% — can affect affordability for many buyers.
Should Homebuyers Wait for Interest Rates to Drop?
The burning question, especially if you’re buying your first home, is: Should I jump in now or wait? All else being equal, the answer is probably don’t wait. Although mortgage rates have been higher than they were during the pandemic, they’re actually close to the 50-year average. And when rates do drop, the housing market will be flooded by buyers who have been sitting on the sidelines.
While it’s always tempting to wait for lower rates, your personal circumstances are more important. If you’re ready financially and need a new home, higher interest rates shouldn’t deter you. After all, a mortgage refinance could still lower your rate later.
Understand Trends in Florida Mortgage Interest Rates
Understanding historical mortgage rate trends can provide valuable insights into the future. In Florida, mortgage rates have experienced significant fluctuations over the past two decades. From a high of 7.96% in 2000, rates steadily declined to 5.78% by 2003. While rates have risen in recent years, they remain below historical highs. Experts predict that Florida mortgage rates will likely stay above historical lows for the foreseeable future.
Below you’ll find the average annual interest rate for Florida and the United States for 2000 through 2018. (The FHFA stopped reporting the data in 2018.)
Historical U.S. Mortgage Interest Rates
Looking at a much longer span of time, a half-century, can give you perspective on the rates that are now available. As you can see from the graphic below, it’s pretty rare for rates to dip as low as they did in 2020 and 2021. By keeping an eye on these trends, you can make an informed decision about whether to pursue your VA loan, and when.
Historical Interest Rates in Florida
Florida VA loan rates have seen their share of ups and downs, for the most part trailing the national average just slightly. The chart below shows Florida rates from 2000 to 2018, when the Federal Housing Finance Agency stopped tracking state-specific averages.
| Year | Florida Rate | National Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 8.03 | 8.14 |
| 2001 | 7.01 | 7.03 |
| 2002 | 6.61 | 6.62 |
| 2003 | 5.81 | 5.83 |
| 2004 | 5.94 | 5.95 |
| 2005 | 5.98 | 6.00 |
| 2006 | 6.71 | 6.60 |
| 2007 | 6.54 | 6.44 |
| 2008 | 6.15 | 6.09 |
| 2009 | 5.04 | 5.06 |
| 2010 | 4.76 | 4.84 |
| 2011 | 4.52 | 4.66 |
| 2012 | 3.59 | 3.74 |
| 2013 | 3.80 | 3.92 |
| 2014 | 4.08 | 4.24 |
| 2015 | 3.79 | 3.91 |
| 2016 | 3.66 | 3.72 |
| 2017 | 3.98 | 4.03 |
| 2018 | 4.57 | 4.57 |
Factors Affecting Mortgage Rates in Florida
As mentioned above, many factors influence mortgage rates in Florida and nationwide. Some of those are economic, but others are entirely within the homebuyer’s control. Here’s how they break down:
Economic Factors
• The Fed: The federal funds rate serves as a benchmark for other interest rates, including mortgage rates.
• Inflation: When inflation rises, the purchasing power of money decreases, making it more expensive for lenders to lend money. As a result, they may increase interest rates to compensate.
• Unemployment rate: Lower unemployment can result in higher mortgage rates. A low unemployment rate indicates a strong economy, which typically leads to increased demand for housing. This increased demand puts upward pressure on home prices and, not surprisingly, mortgage interest rates.
Consumer Factors
• Credit score: A higher credit score generally results in a lower mortgage interest rate. Lenders view borrowers with higher credit scores as less risky, making them more likely to offer favorable rates.
• Down payment: Increasing your down payment may reduce your mortgage rate. A larger down payment lowers the loan-to-value ratio (LTV), the portion of the home’s value financed by the loan. A lower LTV reduces the lender’s risk and may result in a lower interest rate.
• Income and assets: A steady income is important to lenders, who will check your employment history as well as your salary. Assets like investments and emergency savings also reassure lenders that you could still pay your mortgage in the case of a job loss or other financial setback.
• Type of mortgage loan: Certain types of mortgages tend to have lower rates. For instance, adjustable rate mortgages typically offer lower initial rates than fixed-rate mortgages. Some government-backed loans, like VA mortgages, can also have lower rates. And a shorter loan term usually comes with a lower rate than longer terms.
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Mortgage Options for First-Time Homebuyers in Florida
An important step in deciding how to refinance your mortgage is selecting the type of loan you will refinance into. These are some of the most common types.
Conventional Refi
A conventional refinance, also known as a rate-and-term refinance, allows you to change your interest rate, loan term, or both. These loans typically offer higher rates than government-backed loans from the FHA or VA, for example. But a conventional refinance could be a good option if you’re looking to lower your interest rate, change your loan term, or both.
15-Year Mortgage Refi
Some people refinance into a loan with a shorter term than their original mortgage. It’s common to go from a 30-year term to a 15-year one. This means higher monthly payments in the short term, but it’s a savvy move that can slash the total interest you pay over the loan’s lifetime. And if you combine a shorter term with a lower interest rate, you might not even feel such a burden from the larger monthly payments. Some people like the fact that shortening the term helps them get rid of mortgage debt before retirement. (Of course other people might refi from a 15-year loan into a 30-year one. Choosing a term is based on your personal financial circumstances.)
Adjustable-Rate Mortgage Refi
Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) offer a low initial interest rate and so might be attractive to some borrowers — especially those who know they plan to sell the home before the rate on their new loan begins to adjust. Some borrowers prefer to adjust out of an ARM and into a fixed-rate loan because they want their monthly payments to be steady and predictable.
Cash-Out Refi
This type of refinance is a powerful financial tool that allows you to leverage your home equity. By refinancing your mortgage for more than you currently owe, you can access a lump sum of cash that can be used for home improvements or debt consolidation, for example. Although a cash-out refinance typically carries a higher VA loan rate than a traditional refinance, it’s one of the more cost-effective ways to borrow a large sum of money.
FHA Refi
FHA loans, backed by the Federal Housing Administration, often offer attractive VA loan rates, making them a popular choice for homeowners. For those with existing FHA loans, the FHA Simple Refinance and FHA Streamline Refinance are designed to simplify the process and potentially reduce your rate. If you don’t have an FHA loan, you may still benefit from an FHA cash-out refinance or FHA 203(k) refinance. The latter is designed for home renovations.
VA Refi
VA loans, guaranteed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, are known for offering some of the best VA loan rates. To refinance with a VA interest rate reduction refinance loan (IRRRL), you’ll need to have a VA loan in the first place. There is also a VA cash-out refinance, and anyone who qualifies for a VA loan can use this to take advantage of their home equity in a refinance.
Compare Mortgage Refi Interest Rates
Once you know what type of refinance you’re going to pursue, it’s time to secure a competitive VA loan rate. Here’s what to do:
• Compare rates and fees from multiple lenders.
• Look at the loan’s annual percentage rate (APR), which includes interest and fees. These and other closing costs are part of the total picture of your mortgage refinancing costs.
• Weigh the cost of discount points against long-term savings, and decide whether or not you will purchase points.
A refinance calculator can help you estimate your savings and make an informed decision.
Use an Online Refinance Calculator
Online refinance calculators are a great way to get an estimate of what your new monthly payment may be and to compare different refinance options. You probably used a similar calculator during your home purchase process. Many online refinance calculators will also show you how much you could save by refinancing, which can help you decide if refinancing is the right choice for you.
Run the numbers on your home loan.
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Mortgage calculator
Punch in your home loan amount and a new interest rate, and we’ll estimate your payoff date.
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Down payment calculator
Enter a few details about your home loan and we’ll provide your monthly mortgage payment.
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Home affordability calculator
Provide us with a few details and see how much you can afford to spend on a home purchase.
Using the free calculators is for informational purposes only, does not constitute an offer to receive a loan, and will not solicit a loan offer. Any payments shown depend on the accuracy of the information provided.
The Takeaway
Refinancing your mortgage can be a smart financial move, but it requires some careful consideration and planning. Whether you’re looking to get a lower VA loan rate, tap into your home’s equity, or consolidate debt, it’s important to understand the different types of refinances and the requirements for each. By taking steps to strengthen your credit score and lower your debt-to-income ratio, and by comparing offers from multiple lenders, you can help ensure that you get the best rate and terms for your situation.
SoFi can help you save money when you refinance your mortgage. Plus, we make sure the process is as stress-free and transparent as possible. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates on a traditional mortgage refinance or cash-out refinance.
A mortgage refinance could be a game changer for your finances.
FAQ
How much would a 1% drop in interest rate affect your monthly payment?
You may be surprised at how much a 1% reduction in your VA loan rate can impact your monthly budget. Let’s say you have a $300,000, 30-year mortgage. If you’re currently paying 7.00% interest and can refinance to 6.00%, you could see your monthly payment amount drop by $197. Over time, that seemingly small change can add up to big savings. And of course the larger your loan amount, the larger your savings as well.
Can I lower my interest rate without refinancing?
It might be difficult to lower your mortgage interest rate without refinancing, but you can reduce your monthly payments by undertaking a mortgage recast. A mortgage recast involves making a lump-sum payment toward your principal balance. (Make sure you tell your lender the money is to be credited to the principal you owe.) You can request that your lender then “recast” your monthly payment amount to reflect the reduced principal. Of course, this only works if you have a lump sum on hand. If you’re facing financial hardship, you could also ask your lender about a loan modification. Your lender will have a formal request process for this type of adjustment.
Is there a fee to recast your mortgage?
The fee to recast your mortgage ranges from $150 to $500, which is far less than the cost of a refinance. To determine if recasting your mortgage is worth it, look at how the interest saved over the remaining life of your loan compares to the earnings or savings you might enjoy if you used that lump sum in another way — for example, to pay off some other form of debt, or to make investments.
How many times can you refinance your home loan?
There’s no official rule on how many times you can refinance your home. But, each time you do, there are closing costs to consider and a potential impact on your credit score. Take a step back and weigh the benefits of a lower VA loan rate against these costs and impacts. Before you make a decision, consider the current interest rate climate, your financial situation, and your long-term goals. Refinancing can be a savvy financial move, but it’s important to make sure it’s the right move for you.
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*SoFi requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for conforming home loans with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio greater than 80%. As little as 3% down payments are for qualifying first-time homebuyers only. 5% minimum applies to other borrowers. Other loan types may require different fees or insurance (e.g., VA funding fee, FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums, etc.). Loan requirements may vary depending on your down payment amount, and minimum down payment varies by loan type.
¹FHA loans are subject to unique terms and conditions established by FHA and SoFi. Ask your SoFi loan officer for details about eligibility, documentation, and other requirements. FHA loans require an Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium (UFMIP), which may be financed or paid at closing, in addition to monthly Mortgage Insurance Premiums (MIP). Maximum loan amounts vary by county. The minimum FHA mortgage down payment is 3.5% for those who qualify financially for a primary purchase. SoFi is not affiliated with any government agency.
†Veterans, Service members, and members of the National Guard or Reserve may be eligible for a loan guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. VA loans are subject to unique terms and conditions established by VA and SoFi. Ask your SoFi loan officer for details about eligibility, documentation, and other requirements. VA loans typically require a one-time funding fee except as may be exempted by VA guidelines. The fee may be financed or paid at closing. The amount of the fee depends on the type of loan, the total amount of the loan, and, depending on loan type, prior use of VA eligibility and down payment amount. The VA funding fee is typically non-refundable. SoFi is not affiliated with any government agency.
Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article. Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
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More VA loan resources.
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Pros and Cons of VA Loans