Points Less Popular When Mortgage Rates Are Low

Fewer mortgage borrowers are paying points given that home loan rates are so low; and some are even opting for “negative points,” which involves accepting slightly higher interest rates to offset closing costs. The Federal Housing Finance Agency says the percentage of mortgages with points fell to 32 percent in December 2011 from 47 percent in December 2008. Meanwhile, Freddie Mac says the average number of points paid last year was 0.7 percentage points, holding steady for the last three years. | Read More