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How much would a $600,000 mortgage cost per month?
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Mortgage interest rates are falling again. After hitting their highest level since 2000 last summer when the 30-year mortgage loan hit 7.31%, rates are around 6.50% now, nearly a full point lower than what borrowers could have secured last August. And with a consistently cooling inflation rate (it dropped for the fourth month in a row in July), a cut to the federal funds rate appears likely when the Federal Reserve meets again in September. While that cut may be just 25 basis points then, additional cuts later in the year could result in multiple reductions in mortgage interest rates, too.
Against this backdrop, many homebuyers stuck waiting for rates to fall may be considering re-entering the homebuying market again. While there are multiple ways to prepare for mortgage interest rate cuts, perhaps the most important is to calculate your potential costs, both at today’s readily available rates – and what they could be by the time you’re ready to close on a home.
For those considering a mortgage of $600,000, then, it’s critical to start calculating now, before making an offer. Below, we’ll determine how much a $600,000 mortgage will cost per month if purchased now, and what you could save if you wait a bit longer.
See how low of a mortgage interest rate you could secure here now.
How much would a $600,000 mortgage cost per month?
There are multiple factors to consider when calculating the costs of a $600,000 mortgage, with the most important being the interest rate and the down payment amount. For the below calculations, we assumed a 20% down payment ($120,000), without which you’ll get stuck paying private mortgage insurance (PMI) until you have that much equity in the home. The following calculations do not account for taxes and homeowners insurance, which can vary greatly from home to home. Here’s what you could expect to pay monthly right now:
- 30-year mortgage at 6.53%: $3,043.40 per month
- 15-year mortgage at 5.92%: $4,029.80 per month
While you’ll pay just under $1,000 more per month for a 15-year mortgage, you’ll pay off the loan in half the time, saving years’ worth of interest payments in the interim. But what will you pay once rates are cut? While lender offers won’t move directly in tandem with Fed rate cuts, here’s what payments would look like assuming a 25 basis point cut in September — and another 25 basis point cut when the Fed meets again in November:
- 30-year mortgage at 6.28%: $2,964.81 per month
- 15-year mortgage at 5.67%: $3,965.44 per month
- 30-year mortgage at 6.03%: $2,887.11 per month
- 15-year mortgage at 5.42%: $3,901.65 per month
So while today’s mortgage rates may result in manageable payments now, you could potentially save more than $100 per month if you wait for rates to cool further. But, again, that’s assuming rates will fall as the federal funds rate does, which isn’t always accurate.
And, if you wait for the perfect rate, you could lose your dream home in the process. Finally, a cooling mortgage rate climate could complicate the homebuying process further as more buyers enter the market, thus increasing competition that may not be as strong right now. So it’s critical to compare your options today versus what could exist in the future to determine your best path forward.
Compare today’s mortgage options here to get a clearer picture.
The bottom line
Qualified borrowers could see a monthly mortgage payment of principal and interest between $3,043.80 and $4,029.80 for a $600,000 mortgage loan right now. But those payments could fall if they wait for the rate climate to cool further. Still, waiting for an ideal rate poses its own complications, which may not be outweighed by the $100-plus owners can save if they buy a home later in 2024, instead. The right answer will vary from buyer to buyer, so start crunching the numbers now to determine which makes more sense for your unique financial situation.
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Gold has proven itself as one of the most resilient assets of the year, displaying remarkable growth so far in 2024. Starting the year at $2,063 per ounce, the price of gold is now sitting over $2,748 per ounce, slightly below its recent record high. As a result, investors who bought gold earlier this year — or even just a few months ago — have already reaped notable returns, a big benefit of this exceptional price trajectory.
Historically, though, gold’s value tends to increase more gradually, offering stability rather than swift gains. Still, most analysts believe the current upward trend could hold, driven by factors such as economic uncertainty, central bank policies and geopolitical tensions. So while gold’s current upward trajectory might be uncommon, it could persist for the near future, making the precious metal an attractive choice for both new and seasoned investors.
But if you’re considering entering the gold market or adjusting your existing precious metals holdings, there are a few strategic moves you can make to help maximize the potential benefits of gold investing in the current environment.
Diversify your portfolio by investing in gold today.
3 smart gold investing moves to make right now
If you’re planning to invest in gold in today’s market, consider making these moves:
Add physical gold to your portfolio
During periods of rising gold prices, acquiring physical gold can be particularly advantageous, despite having a higher entry point than other gold options. That’s because physical gold offers several distinct benefits that become especially valuable in a bullish market. For starters, when you own physical gold, whether in the form of gold bars or coins, you have direct ownership of a tangible asset that isn’t subject to counterparty risk or financial system vulnerabilities.
Physical gold that is purchased during price uptrends also typically benefits from momentum in the market. While past performance doesn’t guarantee future results, strong upward price movement typically attracts more investors, potentially creating additional demand that could further support prices. The tangible nature of physical gold also provides a psychological benefit, as having direct possession of your investment can offer peace of mind during periods of market volatility.
Find out what your gold investing options are here.
Consider your digital gold options
While physical gold has its merits, digital gold investments, particularly gold stocks, often provide amplified returns during gold bull markets. That’s because mining companies typically see their profits increase at a faster rate than the price of gold itself due to their operational leverage. For example, if a mining company’s cost to produce an ounce of gold remains relatively stable while the selling price increases substantially, the company’s profit margins expand significantly.
As a result, gold mining stocks, especially those of well-established companies with strong production profiles and healthy balance sheets, can offer exposure to gold’s price movements while also providing additional benefits like dividend payments. And gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track either the price of gold or baskets of gold mining stocks offer another convenient way to gain exposure to the sector, often with lower transaction costs and greater liquidity than physical gold.
Make sure you’re investing the right amount
Perhaps the most crucial decision in gold investing isn’t just whether to buy, but how much to allocate to this precious metal. Financial advisors typically recommend limiting gold exposure to a maximum of 10% of your overall investment portfolio. This measured approach serves multiple purposes in your investment strategy.
The 10% ceiling allows you to benefit from gold’s potential upside while maintaining sufficient diversification across other asset classes. This balance is essential because, while gold can provide valuable portfolio protection during certain market conditions, it’s important to remember that other assets — like stocks, bonds and alternative investments — typically provide different types of returns and benefits, including regular income through dividends or interest payments.
Maintaining this disciplined allocation helps ensure that your portfolio remains well-balanced and aligned with your long-term financial goals. Even during periods of strong gold performance, resisting the temptation to overweight your portfolio toward gold helps manage risk effectively. Remember, the primary role of gold in most portfolios is to serve as a hedge against uncertainty and inflation, not necessarily as the main driver of returns. That’s just an added bonus.
The bottom line
While gold’s recent price performance has caught many investors’ attention, success in gold investing still requires a thoughtful, measured approach. By considering physical gold ownership, exploring your digital gold options and maintaining appropriate allocation levels, you can potentially benefit from gold’s current strength while managing your overall portfolio risk effectively.