Best 20-Year Mortgage Rates | January 2023
A 20-year mortgage might be better than a 30-year. Find out why and where to check rates.
Below is SuperMoney's list of top 20-year mortgage lenders. Check rates with multiple mortgage companies to see which one offers the best terms.
How do 20-year mortgages work?
Most homebuyers (about 8 out of every 10) get a mortgage to finance their home. However, finding the right home loan for your needs and budget can be a real challenge.
You can save a lot of money in interest by going with a mortgage that has a shorter term. Typically, mortgages with shorter terms have lower interest rates and you pay interest for shorter periods, which dramatically reduces the cost of the mortgage.
20-year mortgages are -- no surprises here -- designed to be paid off in 20 years if every payment is made as scheduled.
The longer the term of a mortgage, the higher the interest rates and the lower the monthly payments will be. Therefore, 20-year mortgages tend to have higher monthly payments but lower interest rates than 30-year mortgages. As a result, their rates and monthly payments fall between 30-year and 15-year mortgages, the two most popular mortgage terms.
What are the pros and cons of a 20-year mortgage?
Mortgages with 20-year terms are rare, so let's have a look at the main advantages and disadvantages of 20-year mortgages.
How much can you save by choosing a 20-year mortgage term?
The savings you can get from a 20-year mortgage when compared to a 30-year mortgage will vary depending on the size of the loan and the interest rates you pay. Let's use a $300K loan with a 3% APR and 30-year term as a benchmark. A loan with the same interest and a 20-year term will save you $56,022 over the life of the mortgage. If you can also lower your interest rate to 2.75%, you could save $64,972 in interest. The table below provides a variety of scenarios to help you see the potential savings of different terms.
| Term | Total Cost $300K (3% interest rate) | Monthly Payments |
|---|---|---|
| 10 years | $347,619 | $2,897 |
| 15 years | $372,914 | $2,072 |
| 20 years | $399,310 | $1,664 |
| 25 years | $426,790 | $1,423 |
| 30 years | $455,332 | $1,265 |
| 40 years | $515,498 | $1,074 |
Mortgages with a 20-year term provide a good alternative to 15-year mortgages for borrowers who want to pay their mortgages faster and save money in interest but can't stretch their budget to make the higher payments required to pay off a 15-year mortgage. With a 20-year term, you are still paying off the loan in 10 years less than a 30-year mortgage, and if you wanted to -- and can afford it -- you could make extra payments and pay it off faster.
How to get the best mortgage lenders for a 20-year fixed mortgage rate
To get the best deal on a 20-year fixed-rate mortgage and get the lowest monthly payments possible, you'll need to get a few things in order.
- First, get your credit score in the best shape possible. Then, start working on it in the months or even years leading up to buying a house. Ensure your debt utilization is low (under 30%), make your payments on time, maintain a variety of credit types, and check periodically for inaccuracies.
- Build your savings. Showing you have money saved up in the bank makes you less of a risk as you have a backup system in place to make your payments.
- Don't change jobs. If you can maintain the same job, it helps to show consistency to lenders, which reduces the level of risk you present.
- You'll need to shop around. Learn the average mortgage rates in the market and be aware of market conditions. Are rates supposed to go up or down in the near future? If they are going to go up, consider a rate lock. Also, be sure to check with a few reputable lenders to ensure you get a competitive deal.
A little prework can save you a few basis points to a few percentage points, which makes a big difference over the life of the loan.
How do I know if a 20-year mortgage is the best option for me?
There are so many choices to make when shopping for a mortgage it can be overwhelming. The good news is that a little research is all it takes to narrow down your best options.
Are you planning to move in a few years? Do you have the flexibility to deal with increased payments if mortgage rates rise? Is paying off your mortgage as fast as possible a priority for you? Then you may want to consider an adjusted rate mortgage (ARM) or a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage.
However, if you value having greater flexibility, predictable payments, lower monthly payments, and plan to stay put for many years, then a 20-year mortgage may be the best option.
Choosing a 20-year fixed-rate mortgage is a solid choice that is ideal for borrowers who want the peace of mind of knowing they will be able to afford their mortgage payments.
