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Buy Down Your Rate Calculator

Discount points let you pay upfront to lower your rate. See the cost, the monthly savings, and how long it takes to come out ahead.

Points & rate

$
%
yr
pts
%
Monthly payment savings
—
From buying down the rate
Upfront cost—
Bought-down rate—
Payment before—
Payment after—
Break-even—
Lifetime net savings—
Apply to find out →

What are discount points?

One point equals one percent of your loan amount, paid at closing to permanently lower your interest rate. A common rule of thumb is about a 0.25% rate reduction per point, though it varies by lender and market — so we leave it editable.

Should you buy points?

Points pay off if you keep the loan past the break-even month. If you may sell or refinance sooner, the upfront cost may not be worth it. The lifetime figure shows your net benefit if you hold the loan to term.

How much does one point cost?
One discount point costs 1% of your loan amount. On a $400,000 loan, one point is $4,000, paid at closing.
How much does a point lower my rate?
Typically around 0.25% per point, but it depends on the lender and current market. Adjust the rate-cut-per-point field to match a real quote from your Lexington officer.
When is buying points worth it?
When you keep the loan past the break-even month shown here. The longer you stay, the more the upfront cost pays back in lower payments and interest.
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