Mortgage interest rates hit an all time low in the past month with 30 year fixed rate mortgages dropping below 4 percent for the first time ever! Over the past couple of weeks, rates have ticked up slightly but are still dirt cheap! So what can you do to make sure you are getting the lowest mortgage rates possible? According to Doug Lebda, Chariman and CEO of LendingTree.com, if borrowers follow the guidelines listed below they can increase their chances of being approved for a mortgage loan at the most desirable interest rate:
- Have at least two years income documentation on hand, including paystubs and W2 forms
- Research comparable home sales in your area to get a good idea of your home’s value
- Know your credit score before entering the loan process
- Avoid taking on new debt before or during the home loan process as this can increase your credit score and act as a red flag to lenders
- Try to maintain a steady employment history and avoid changing jobs right before or during the mortgage process”
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STATE-BY-STATE MORTGAGE DATA 10/11/11 *Updated Quarterly |
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| STATE |
LOWEST MORTGAGE RATE |
LOAN-TO- VALUE RATIO* |
NEGATIVE EQUITY* |
|
| US Average | 3.50% (3.62% APR) | 69.8% | 33.5% | |
| Alabama | 3.63% (3.75% APR) | 68.0% | 29.5% | |
| Alaska | 3.63% (3.75% APR) | 65.8% | 19.5% | |
| Arizona | 3.63% (3.75% APR) | 93.1% | 38.9% | |
| Arkansas | 3.75% (3.86% APR) | 72.3% | 43.0% | |
| California | 3.75% (3.88% APR) | 70.0% | 34.4% | |
| Colorado | 3.75% (3.88% APR) | 72.3% | 22.9% | |
| Connecticut | 3.63% (3.75% APR) | 60.2% | 43.4% | |
| Delaware | 3.75% (3.85% APR) | 67.3% | 38.8% | |
| District of Columbia | 3.63% (3.75% APR) | 58.6% | 26.8% | |
| Florida | 3.63% (3.75% APR) | 87.8% | 38.9% | |
| Georgia | 3.75% (3.88% APR) | 80.9% | 26.5% | |
| Hawaii | 3.75% (3.88% APR) | 53.9% | 27.0% | |
| Idaho | 3.75% (3.88% APR) | 71.7% | 30.3% | |
| Illinois | 3.75% (3.87% APR) | 72.4% | 32.3% | |
| Indiana | 3.50% (3.60% APR) | 69.4% | 28.4% | |
| Iowa | 3.75% (3.88% APR) | 67.3% | 44.2% | |
| Kansas | 3.75% (3.87% APR) | 70.3% | 32.2% | |
| Kentucky | 3.63% (3.75% APR) | 67.9% | 52.7% | |
| Louisiana | 3.75% (3.88% APR) | 75.2% | 82.4% | |
| Maine | 3.75% (3.86% APR) | 58.3% | 30.7% | |
| Maryland | 3.63% (3.75% APR) | 70.3% | 25.9% | |
| Massachusetts | 3.75% (3.88% APR) | 61.9% | 47.0% | |
| Michigan | 3.63% (3.75% APR) | 84.0% | 33.4% | |
| Minnesota | 3.75% (3.88% APR) | 66.8% | 22.7% | |
| Mississippi | 3.75% (3.87% APR) | 78.2% | 29.2% | |
| Missouri | 3.63% (3.75% APR) | 71.9% | 32.4% | |
| Montana | 3.75% (3.88% APR) | 60.3% | 33.9% | |
| Nebraska | 3.75% (3.88% APR) | 73.4% | 44.7% | |
| Nevada | 3.63% (3.75% APR) | 112.7% | 53.7% | |
| New Hampshire | 3.75% (3.86% APR) | 70.3% | 26.2% | |
| New Jersey | 3.75% (3.87% APR) | 62.8% | 29.9% | |
| New Mexico | 3.75% (3.88% APR) | 67.9% | 45.9% | |
| New York | 3.75% (3.85% APR) | 48.7% | 36.0% | |
| North Carolina | 3.50% (3.62% APR) | 71.6% | 32.4% | |
| North Dakota | 3.75% (3.88% APR) | 61.1% | 36.3% | |
| Ohio | 3.63% (3.75% APR) | 75.8% | 27.5% | |
| Oklahoma | 3.75% (3.86% APR) | 71.8% | 50.6% | |
| Oregon | 3.75% (3.91% APR) | 69.8% | 19.9% | |
| Pennsylvania | 3.63% (3.75% APR) | 61.1% | 42.0% | |
| Rhode Island | 3.75% (3.87% APR) | 63.7% | 38.7% | |
| South Carolina | 3.63% (3.75% APR) | 71.5% | 28.9% | |
| South Dakota | 3.75% (3.86% APR) | N/A | N/A | |
| Tennessee | 3.63% (3.75% APR) | 71.6% | 29.9% | |
| Texas | 3.63% (3.75% APR) | 68.1% | 31.6% | |
| Utah | 3.75% (3.87% APR) | 72.9% | 22.8% | |
| Vermont | 3.75% (3.88% APR) | N/A | N/A | |
| Virginia | 3.75% (3.85% APR) | 71.7% | 25.1% | |
| Washington | 3.75% (3.88% APR) | 68.3% | 21.7% | |
| West Virginia | 3.75% (3.85% APR) | 66.8% | 50.6% | |
| Wisconsin | 3.75% (3.85% APR) | 69.1% | 36.0% | |
| Wyoming | 3.75% (3.88% APR) | 63.1% | 24.2% | |
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