Buying a home in Tennessee
According to Zillow, the typical home value in Tennessee is lower than the typical value of $320,662 across the US. The typical home value in Tennessee is $263,989, and home values have increased 23.4% over the past year.
Historic mortgage rates for Tennessee
By looking at the average mortgage rates in Tennessee since 2010, you can see trends for 30-year fixed mortgages, 15-year fixed mortgages, and 7/1 adjustable mortgages:
Seeing how today’s rates compare to historic Tennessee mortgage rates may help you decide whether you’d be getting a good deal by getting a mortgage or refinancing now.
Mortgage calculator
To see how today’s Tennessee mortgage rates will affect your monthly payments, use our free mortgage calculator.
Plug in an interest rate and term length to see how much you’ll pay each month and what you’ll pay over the years.
Tennessee first-time homebuyer programs
You may qualify for financial assistance through the Tennessee Housing Development Agency if you get a mortgage from a participating lender. Here are your options:
- Down Payment Assistance: Borrow between $6,000 and $7,500 for down payment or closing cost assistance. You’ll pay back the loan over 15 years.
- Homeownership for the Brave: If you’re an active military member or a veteran, you can get a 0.5% discount on your mortgage interest rate.
- Federal Housing Administration mortgage: You can get a down payment of 3.5% with a credit score of at least 580, or get a mortgage with a credit score between 500 and 580 with 10% down using this loan, which is also called an FHA loan.
- United States Department of Agriculture mortgage: These loans, also called USDA loans, can be useful if you are a low-to-moderate income borrower looking to buy a home in a rural or suburban area.
- Veterans Affairs mortgage: These mortgages, also called VA loans, are for active-service military members or veterans, or spouses of members who have died and can provide lower interest rates than conventional mortgages.
Refinancing your mortgage in Tennessee
Mortgage refinance rates are low these days, so it could be a good time to refinance your current mortgage into one with a lower interest rate — especially if the new rate would be significantly lower.
You might end up refinancing with the same lender that gave you your original mortgage, but it’s not always the best idea. A different company could offer you a lower rate the second time around. Shop around for a lender that will offer the best interest rate and charge relatively low fees.
How to get a low interest rate on your mortgage
Here are some tips for landing a good interest rate on your mortgage:
- Save for a down payment. With a conventional loan, you may be able to put down as little as 3%. But the higher your down payment, the lower your rate will likely be. Rates should stay low for a while, so you probably have time to save more.
- Increase your credit score. Many lenders require a minimum credit score of 620 to receive a mortgage. But the higher your score, the better your rate will be. To improve your credit score, be sure to pay all your bills on time. You can also pay down debts or let your credit age.
- Lower your debt-to-income ratio. Your DTI is the amount you pay toward debts each month, divided by your gross monthly income. Most lenders want to see a DTI of 36% or less, but an even lower DTI can result in a better rate. To improve your DTI, pay down debts or figure out whether you can earn more money.
- Choose a federally backed mortgage. If you’re eligible, you might consider a USDA loan (for low-to-moderate-income borrowers buying in a rural area), a VA loan (for military members and veterans), or an FHA loan (not designated for any particular group). These loans typically come with lower interest rates than conventional mortgages. As a bonus, you won’t need a down payment for USDA or VA loans.
Improving your financial situation and choosing the right type of mortgage for your needs can help you get the best interest rate possible.
Mortgage and refinance rates by state
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Washington DC
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Powered by WPeMatico
