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Rate Strategy Tool

Rate Buydown Calculator

Adjust your loan amount, select 1 or 2 discount points, and instantly see your upfront cost, new rate, monthly savings, and break-even timeline — all in real time.

$400,000
$50k$1M$2M
%
2%8%14%
1 Point (−0.25%)
0 (None)1 pt2 pts (Max)

Max 2 discount points to purchase — 1 point = 1% of loan = −0.25% rate reduction

Upfront Points Cost$4,0001 point × $400,000 loan
Base Rate
7%
New Rate
6.75%
0.25% rate reduction
Monthly (no points)$2,661
Monthly (with points)$2,594
Monthly Savings+$66.82/mo
Break-Even Point
5.0 yrs
5-Year Net Gain
+$9
10-Year Net Gain
+$4,018
Important Notice & Calculator Disclaimer — Rob Miller, MadCity Home Loans Team

All calculations, payment projections, and rate scenarios provided by this tool are hypothetical and intended solely for educational purposes and preliminary budgeting. These figures do not constitute a formal Loan Estimate, quote, pre-approval, commitment to lend, or rate lock guarantee pursuant to the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), or Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) regulations.

Actual loan qualification, annual percentage rates (APRs), down payment requirements, property tax assessments, homeowners insurance premiums, and private mortgage insurance (PMI) are determined exclusively through a formal underwriting evaluation of your verified credit, income, assets, and specific property valuation. For verified financing terms tailored to your exact scenario, please schedule a strategy session with the Rob Miller team.

The Math

How Discount Points Work

1 Point
= 1% of Loan Amount
−0.25% Rate Reduction
2 Points
= 2% of Loan Amount
−0.50% Rate Reduction

Paying discount points is essentially pre-paying interest. The upfront cost is fixed at closing; the savings accumulate every month for the life of your loan. The break-even point is the moment your monthly savings have repaid that upfront cost.

Smart Strategy

When Paying Points Makes Sense

🏡

Long-Term Residency

Your "forever home"? If you plan to keep the mortgage 7+ years, points almost always win.

🤝

Seller Credits

Negotiated a seller credit? Using it to buy down your rate is often the best use of those funds.

📈

High-Rate Environments

A small buy-down can make the difference in qualifying for the home you want.

💵

Fixed-Income Planning

Want the absolute lowest monthly payment to protect cash flow? Points lock that in permanently.

Program Limits

Points Limits by Loan Type

Typical maximums through Provisor and Wisconsin secondary market guidelines.

Loan TypeTypical Max PointsMax Rate ReductionMax Seller Concession
Conventional3 pts−0.75%3–9% of price
FHA2 pts−0.50%Up to 6% of value
VA4 pts−1.00%4% + closing costs

Note: The calculator above caps at 2 points — the sweet spot for most Wisconsin purchase and refinance loans. Actual per-point pricing is set at the time of your Loan Estimate and varies with market conditions. Provisor does not publish a fixed rate sheet.

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FAQ

Discount Points FAQs

Maximize Your Long-Term Savings

Don't just take the standard rate. Rob Miller will model rate vs. points scenarios for your exact loan and help you make a data-driven decision.