Compare Condo Mortgage Rates
Find and compare the best mortgage rates for a condominium from lenders in your area.
Edit my search
About These Rates: The lenders whose rates appear on this table are NerdWallets advertising partners. NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a lenders site. The terms advertised here are not offers and do not bind any lender. The rates shown here are retrieved via the Mortech rate engine and are subject to change. These rates do not include taxes, fees, and insurance. Your actual rate and loan terms will be determined by the partners assessment of your creditworthiness and other factors. Any potential savings figures are estimates based on the information provided by you and our advertising partners.
Sign On The Dotted Line
Once you reach this stage, youve officially made it to the last lap! As soon as both parties agree on the terms of your contract, an official document will be drafted and verified by a real estate attorney.
During this last stage your condo loan will be finalized, and youll need to put together all the necessary paperwork for the final signing. You might have already heard the word escrow before, which basically means your contract is in limbo, and a third-party will manage the deal until both parties have agreed on the conditions of the contract, including your closing date.
A closing date is the official date when the ownership of the property gets passed over from the seller to you, the buyer. It usually takes place a few weeks after the offer is accepted, when you can expect the following:
- A certified check or wire transfer for the down payment will be transferred from the buyer to the seller
- Youll submit your condo insurance document to your lender
- Youll review and sign your loan documents
- Youll sign a closing disclosure
Your closing disclosure will detail your closing costs, which include your condo association fees, title insurance, escrow fees, filing fees and more!
Shop Condo Mortgage Lenders
Condo mortgages are provided by traditional lenders including banks, mortgage brokers and credit unions. Not all lenders offer condo loans because of the extra time and documentation involved but many do.
The table below shows mortgage rates and fees for leading lenders in your area. We recommend that you contact multiple lenders to understand if they offer condo mortgages and to learn more about qualification guidelines. Shopping lenders also enables you to compare loan terms and save money on your mortgage.
You May Like: What Is The Highest Interest Rate On Mortgage
Comparing Current Florida Condo Mortgage Rates
Finding the lowest Florida condo mortgage rates is very important, thats why weve already searched them for you, getting the lowest rate possible could save you hundreds of dollars a year and thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. Yes, having us find you the best mortgage rates is a big deal.
Understand How Condo Hoa Fees Affect What Size Mortgage You Can Afford
Most condominium developments charge property owners monthly homeowners association fees for the maintenance and upkeep of the project. HOA fees vary depending on many factors including the size and age of the development and value of the properties. HOA fees can run from less than $100 per month to over $1,000 per month.
You typically are not required to pay HOA fees when you buy a home so this an additional monthly housing expense condo owners should be aware of. HOA dues are included in your debt-to-income ratio when you apply for mortgage which reduces what size loan you can afford. This means that most borrowers qualify for a smaller mortgage on a condo than they would for a loan on a single family home. If the condo is non-warrantable your mortgage amount is even lower because your interest rate is higher.
Use our Mortgage Qualification Calculator to determine what size loan you can afford based on your income, debt and HOA fees
It is also important to understand the specific services your HOA dues pay for so you know what your money is being spent on each month. Most HOA fees cover property maintenance and general insurance but some dues may also include property tax. Condo owners should always know what costs are covered by the fees and what expenses they are required to pay on their own.
Recommended Reading: How Much Would A 70000 Mortgage Cost
Is A Condo Right For You
Youll need to consider whether your lifestyle aligns with the condos rules and regulations.
For instance, if you have a pet, play musical instruments, and have plans to customize your home, then youll need to check whether the homeowners association will allow it.
But if you dont mind following association rules, paying monthly dues, and living in close proximity to your neighbors, then owning a condo could be a good option for you.
When shopping around for mortgage lenders, youll want to consider factors like rates, fees, and loan products. Credible makes comparing multiple lenders quick and easy you can see your prequalified rates from our partner lenders in the table below in just three minutes.
Kim Porter is an expert in credit, mortgages, student loans, and debt management. She has been featured in U.S. News & World Report, Reviewed.com, Bankrate, Credit Karma, and more.
Reasons Condos Make A Great Choice For Your First Home
After years of working, living with your parents, and saving up, you might be ready to leave the nest and get your own place.
But while some young adults move from their parents home into an apartment, dont dismiss the idea of getting a mortgage and buying your first place. If you have sufficient income and credit to qualify for your own home, why waste money on rent when you can invest in your future?
The thought of buying a home can be intimidating, especially if youve never lived on your own. Also, if you plan to live alone, you may feel theres no reason to get a house for just one person.
However, your first house doesnt have to be a massive space. It can be condo, which is the perfect stepping stone to your dream home. So, rather than think an apartment is the only option at this time in your life, heres why your first place could be a condo.
Also Check: How Does The Interest Work On A Mortgage
Does The Property Qualify
With a condominium, you have a shared interest in your property with the other residents of the development. The homeowners’ association bears responsibility for ensuring that the entire development can continue to function as a viable entity. So a lender will want to make sure that both you and the development itself are on firm financial footing before it will approve a mortgage.
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the FHA all have certain standards that condominium developments and their homeowners’ associations must meet before they will approve a mortgage to buy a unit there. Among the main requirements of all three is that at least half of the units must be owner-occupied and that no single investor can own more than 10 percent of the units .
Fannie and Freddie also require that homeowners’ associations put at least 10 percent of their annual revenues into a reserve fund for long-term needs. The FHA has a stricter standard, and requires that a property have passed a financial review in the past 12 months. Many developments don’t care to undergo this step every year, which limits the number of FHA-approved condominiums that are available on the market.
All of these things can make getting a mortgage for a condominium a bit more complicated that getting a loan for a single-family home. But they shouldn’t be major obstacles, as long as you’re prepared for them.
Can You Get A Reverse Mortgage On A Condominium
Yes, you may obtain a reverse mortgage for a condo as long as you meet the requirements outlined by the HUD. A reverse mortgage allows senior homeowners to take advantage of their propertys equity and use it to settle debts, fund their retirement travel, or complete home renovations. This also provides an additional source of income for retirees to enjoy their retirement in their own homes.
Also Check: Which Mortgage Lenders Use Transunion
Loan Limits On Condominiums
As of the year 2020, the Fannie Mae loan limit for condos stands at $510,400 in most parts of the country. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are federal establishments that are saddled with the responsibility of setting the rules for 30-year, 20-year, and 15-year fixed-rate loans. They usually have certain requirements for condo loans and a Fannie Mae approved condo typically implies that the condo, in that case, has either met or exceeded these requirements. Therefore, it would be eligible for federal fencing.
It is essential to know the base information on condo financing because a significant number of money sources for jumbo loans follow Fannie Mae rules regarding condos. However, if youre not financing, you do not necessarily have to meet Fannie Mae requirements. But maintaining your condo project under Fannie Mae guidelines is essential. This is because, in the event of trying to sell your condo, your buyer might want a 30-year-fixed-rate loan which is of course the most popular in America. And if your condo doesnt meet up to Fannie/Freddie guidelines, you would be unable to close the sale.
How Does A Condo Mortgage Work
You can use the same loan programs for condos that you would use to buy a single-family house. There are some key differences, however, in how lenders look at the two types of properties.
In addition to vetting your finances, mortgage lenders evaluate the financial health of the condo association as well. Your lender will send the condo community a questionnaire that covers things like:
- How many units are in the community?
- How many units have been purchased?
- How many units are owned by investors?
- What amenities does the condo community have?
- Is the condo association involved in any lawsuits?
- How many unit owners are delinquent on dues?
- Are any special assessments coming soon?
All of these questions help determine if a condo project is warrantable and whether the buyer will run into unforeseen costs that will put the loan at risk. For example, if the association decides to allow more investors to be involved in your building, buyers may have a harder time getting financing because traditional mortgage programs have stricter limitations on the percentage of properties in a condo building that can be non-owner-occupied. This may reduce the pool of prospective buyers in the future, making it harder to sell.
Thats the big thing that you need to look at when buying a condo, Ade said. You need to find out how much money they have on hand. Have they been saving up enough money to do all the repairs?
Recommended Reading: How To Calculate Percentage Of Mortgage
How Are Occupancy Fees Calculated On New Condominiums
Ive heard occupancy fees referred to in a negative light many, many times, dubbed rent to the builder or phantom rent. Its often misconstrued, and some people even use it as a reason to avoid pre-construction.
Its actually quite simple, and it is less carry cost than youll have when your mortgage loan starts, so during this time youre seeing appreciation in the market with even less overhead. The fees are made up of 3 things:
What If My Condo Project Doesnt Meet Fannie Mae Requirements
Depending on the issue, Accunet Mortgage may have non-Fannie Mae money sources that can still fit your situation. For example, if a single entity owns more than 10%, but not more than 20%, of the units in a project, we have a money source. Or if the building in which your condo unit is located is substantially complete, but there are other buildings in the project that are still under construction, we have a loan program for that, too: an adjustable rate mortgage where the initial rate is fixed for 5, 7 or 10 years.
If you made it the end of this weighty tome, congratulations, and thank you for learning more about the details of condo ownership and financing. Theres a lot more to it than meets the eye.
Recommended Reading: Do Medical Collections Affect Getting A Mortgage
Do Banks Offer Rate Guarantees For A Year Or Longer
If you are purchasing a pre-construction condo that is closing 3+ years out, it is doubtful for the bank to honor the interest rate quoted on your mortgage pre-approval.
In these cases, I typically tell clients to get the MPA from the easiest source and re-visit a broker at the time of closing to shop around alternative lenders.
If you are purchasing a condo that will be ready in 2 years or less, seek a commitment letter if you want the security of a rate guarantee. Many brokers and banks will be able to provide you with a commitment letter that will lock in todays interest rate if the development is already under construction and is going to be completed within a year or so.
This may help to give you some peace of mind and security if youre skeptical about where rates are headed however, keep in mind, historically, purchasers in Toronto have done better with Variable Rate Mortgages.
Size Matters For Condos And Townhomes
However, whether its a condo or townhome, expect more attention from the lender if the unit is part of a smaller complex/building.
When the lending market is tight, it is often difficult to get loans on complexes with four or fewer units, according to Dana Graham, agent with Berkshire Hathaway Chairmans Circle in Rolling Hills Estates, Calif.
Lenders often view the risk as high because, if one of the owners gets in trouble and doesnt pay his HOA dues, for example, that represents 25 percent of the owners in a four-unit building.
Recommended Reading: Are Current Mortgage Rates Good
Financing A Condo Unit In Litigation: Is It Impossible
Why Do Condos Go Through Litigation?
Condominiums can go through legal disputes for any number of reasons, but it is often tied to building and remodeling projects that need to be approved by the homeowners association, or HOA. The HOA is essentially the facilitys governing body. It may be led by certain members, such as elected presidents and board members, but it is comprised of all the people who live in the building.
Because condo units have specific rules set by the HOA for remodeling and building, its not uncommon for potential or ongoing projects to become tied up in litigation, pending approval by the HOA or completion by a contractor.
Heres a couple examples of what might happen
Lets say the building unit needed a new roof, so the HOA hired a contractor to complete the job. The contractor completed the job, but there was an issue with the billing. The contractor thought they would be paid in lump sum, but the HOA insist on installment payments. The contractor then sues for the full amount, and the entire facility becomes tied up in litigation.
Another example could be defects in the building. In some cases, you can have a facility that has been operating perfectly for years, with buying and selling done every month. Then a defect around the premise is discovered, and the HOA decides to sue the original builder to force them into fixing the issue. Once again, the facility is tied up in litigation.
What Does this Have to do With Financing?
Ask Your Realtor For Advice
A good real estate agent familiar with the area is also likely to be familiar with lenders who can offer the most affordable or flexible financing. Often that realtor knows which lenders look upon condo hotels and fractionals favorably. The realtor may also be able to advise you of special lending programs being offered by the developers.
Also Check: What Credit Score Is Needed To Get A Mortgage Loan
Can You Get A 30 Year Mortgage To Buy A Condo
Whether buying a condominium as your first step to home ownership or as an investment, owning a condo is a long-term commitment when you finance it. You typically have the choice between a 15- and 30-year repayment term. A longer term makes the most sense for borrowers who want to keep payments low, while a shorter term saves interest over time. Consider the types of 30-year loans and the condo’s qualifications before selecting a loan program.
Condo Vs Townhome: Financing Options Can Be Quite Different
The biggest difference between a condo and a townhouse when it comes to a lender is that with a condo, you dont own the land. You are typically buying the space between the walls, says Tony Trungale, vice president and branch manager of First Choice Loan Service Inc., in Austin, Texas.
With a townhouse, you are buying the dirt and everything above and below it. Getting a loan with a townhouse is basically the same as getting one for a single-family house. Its a much less complicated home loan than one for a condo, he says.
When getting a loan for a condo, you have to go through a process of qualifying as a borrower and also making sure the condo is approved, Trungale says.
For instance, to get a Fannie Mae mortgage for a condo, the condo also needs to be on a list of approved or warranted buildings or developments. The rules include such things as limiting commercial space like restaurants or stores to no more than 10 percent of the buildings space, Trungale says.
There are all kinds of loans available for condos including FHA, USDA, VA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. But the condo project must meet specific requirements for each of these loans to go through meaning the lender may not take on that liability.
If there is too much commercial space in contrast to the residential space, lenders tend to think it is too much of a risk, he adds.
Also Check: What Is The Minimum Down Payment Required For A Mortgage
