Paying Extra Towards your Principal (2024)

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Over the course of a loan amortization you will spend hundreds, thousands, and maybe even hundreds or thousands in interest. By making a small additional monthly payment toward principal, you can greatly accelerate the term of the loan and, thereby, realize tremendous savings in interest payments. Use our extra payment calculator to determine how much more quickly you may be able to pay off your debt.

  • Loan Information
  • Total Interest

Making extra payments of $500/month could save you $60,798 in interest over the life of the loan.

Total Interest with extra Payments
$49,675

Total Interest without extra Payments
$100,599

Years to payoff with extra payments
15 years

Years to payoff without extra payments
28 years

These calculations are tools for learning more about the mortgage process and are for educational/estimation purposes only. Payment shown does not include taxes, insurance, or mortgage insurance (if applicable). This does not constitute an offer or approval of credit. Contact a PrimeLending home loan officer for actual estimates.

For example, a Conventional fixed rate loan with the terms purchase price of $312,500, on a loan term of 360 months, down payment of 20%, and an interest rate of 6.5%, will result in an annual percentage rate of 6.598% with $3,613 in APR fees. Rate pulled 09/02/22, rates change daily. Loans are subject to borrower qualifications, including income, property evaluation, and final credit approval.

Based on the numbers you provided, here is your estimated savings if you make extra payments. Want to see more options? Enter new numbers, calculate and compare.

Other calculators you might be interested in:

New payment

$2,000

per month

+$500 monthly

Current payment

$1,500 per month

Making extra payments of $500/month could save you $60,798 in interest over the life of the loan.

You could own your house 13 years sooner than under your current payment.

Paying Extra Towards your Principal (2024)

FAQs

Paying Extra Towards your Principal? ›

Since your interest is calculated on your remaining loan balance, making additional principal payments every month will significantly reduce your interest payments over the life of the loan. By paying more principal each month, you incrementally lower the principal balance

principal balance
The principal balance, in regard to a mortgage, loan, or other instrument of debt, is the amount due and owed to satisfy the payoff of an underlying obligation. It is distinct from, and does not include, interest or other charges.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Principal_balance
and interest charged on it.

Is paying additional principal a good idea? ›

Paying a little extra towards your mortgage can go a long way. Making your normal monthly payments will pay down, or amortize, your loan. However, if it fits within your budget, paying extra toward your principal can be a great way to lessen the time it takes to repay your loans and the amount of interest you'll pay.

What happens if you pay extra towards principal? ›

Paying more toward your principal can reduce the interest you'll pay over time. Because every payment that goes toward the principal builds equity in your home, you can build equity faster with additional principal-only payments.

What happens if I pay an extra $1000 a month on my mortgage principal? ›

When you pay extra on your principal balance, you reduce the amount of your loan and save money on interest. Keep in mind that you may pay for other costs in your monthly payment, such as homeowners' insurance, property taxes, and private mortgage insurance (PMI).

How to pay off a 30 year mortgage in 5 to 7 years? ›

The choice comes down to careful study and a decision based on your financial position and ability to repay what will be higher monthly payments.
  1. Pay Extra Each Month. ...
  2. Pay Bi-Weekly. ...
  3. Make an Extra Mortgage Payment Every Year. ...
  4. Refinance with a Shorter-Term Mortgage. ...
  5. Recast Your Mortgage. ...
  6. Loan Modification. ...
  7. Pay Off Other Debts.

What happens if I pay an extra $500 a month on my mortgage principal? ›

Making additional principal payments will shorten the length of your mortgage term and allow you to build equity faster. Because your balance is being paid down faster, you'll have fewer total payments to make, in-turn leading to more savings.

What happens if I pay an extra $200 a month on my mortgage? ›

When you pay extra on a mortgage, you're paying above and beyond the regular monthly installment. The money you send is meant to apply directly to the loan principal, not the interest. This allows you to pay down your loan sooner and save money on interest.

What are the disadvantages of principal prepayment? ›

However, there are also potential drawbacks to consider:
  • Liquidity Concerns. Prepaying your mortgage ties up your funds in your home, potentially leaving you with less liquidity for other financial needs or opportunities.
  • Lost Tax Benefits. ...
  • Opportunity Cost. ...
  • Prepayment Penalties.

How to pay off a 300k mortgage in 5 years? ›

Increasing your monthly payments, making bi-weekly payments, and making extra principal payments can help accelerate mortgage payoff. Cutting expenses, increasing income, and using windfalls to make lump sum payments can help pay off the mortgage faster.

What happens if I pay 3 extra mortgage payments a year? ›

Payments made on a mortgage in addition to your regular monthly payment will count toward the loan principal. Extra payments can be beneficial because they apply directly to your loan principal, helping you pay off your loan faster and with fewer interest fees.

Is there a best time within the month to make an extra payment to principal? ›

Rather than delaying credit until the next month, the optimal day within the month to make an extra payment is the last day on which the lender will credit you for the current month.

What happens if I pay an extra $600 a month on my mortgage principal? ›

Over the course of a loan amortization you will spend hundreds, thousands, and maybe even hundreds or thousands in interest. By making a small additional monthly payment toward principal, you can greatly accelerate the term of the loan and, thereby, realize tremendous savings in interest payments.

Can I lower my monthly mortgage payment by paying extra principal? ›

Making extra payments directly to your loan's principal balance can shorten the number of months it takes to pay off your mortgage. If you make enough extra payments, you could lower the amount of interest you pay by thousands of dollars. But extra payments won't reduce your monthly payment.

Are there disadvantages to paying off a mortgage early? ›

If you pay off your mortgage early, you'll no longer have any mortgage interest to deduct on your tax return if you itemize your deductions. This change is most likely to affect you if you have a large mortgage, a high interest rate—or both—-and your annual interest payments are substantial.

How to pay off a $70,000 mortgage fast? ›

By lowering the loan term (i.e., how long you'll be paying off your mortgage), you'll be able to pay off your mortgage faster. For example, if you refinanced from a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage to a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage. However, your monthly payment will likely increase. Lowering the interest rate.

At what age should you payoff your mortgage? ›

O'Leary's Take on Paying Down Mortgages

To O'Leary, debt is the enemy of any financial plan — even the so-called “good debt” of a mortgage. According to him, your best chance for long-term financial success lies in getting out from under your mortgage by age 45.

Is it better to pay extra on principal, monthly or lump sum? ›

Regardless of the amount of funds applied towards the principal, paying extra installments towards your loan makes an enormous difference in the amount of interest paid over the life of the loan.

What happens if I pay an extra $400 a month on my mortgage? ›

Over the course of a loan amortization you will spend hundreds, thousands, and maybe even hundreds or thousands in interest. By making a small additional monthly payment toward principal, you can greatly accelerate the term of the loan and, thereby, realize tremendous savings in interest payments.

Is it worth it to make principal only payments? ›

Benefits of making principal-only payments

As you pay down the principal amount, your accrued interest becomes less and less. However, with precomputed interest loans, lenders front-load interest on your loan payments, so you benefit less from early payoff.

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