When you buy a home, you probably have a budget you will try to stick to. Many people choose a 30-year fixed mortgage, and by the time you pay off the home loan, you should own your home outright. At the same time, you might be thinking about paying off your mortgage more quickly to save money on interest. Even making one extra mortgage payment per year can provide a number of significant benefits.
You Can Build Up Equity Faster
One of the first benefits of making an extra mortgage payment every year is that you can build up equity faster. If you make an extra mortgage payment, that payment should go directly toward the principal. This means you don’t have to worry about paying down any interest with that extra mortgage payment, allowing you to build up equity in your home more quickly.
You Save Money On Interest
If you make an extra mortgage payment, you pay down the principal more quickly. This means there is a lower remaining balance on which interest might accrue. Even making one extra mortgage payment every year can add up to tens of thousands of dollars in interest saved at the end of the loan.
You Free Up Financial Resources Down The Road
If you make one extra mortgage payment every year, you could pay off your home loan years in advance. This means you don’t have to worry about making mortgage payments down the road, which can free up financial resources to cover other expenses. For example, you might be able to use the money you would have put toward your mortgage to put a child through college or retire early. Your savings will increase exponentially.
Consider Making One Extra Mortgage Payment Per Year To Save Big
If you stay in your home for 30 years, there is a chance your income will go up even though your mortgage payments stay the same. Therefore, you may be able to afford to make an extra mortgage payment per year. Making only one extra mortgage payment every year can add up to big savings very quickly.
Even though a lot of people have two incomes they can use to purchase a house (theirs and their partner’s), this is not necessarily required. There are lots of people who want to take advantage of current interest rates to purchase a house, and some people are trying to do it on their own. Even though it can be a challenge to buy a house with only one income, it is certainly not impossible. There are several tips that can make it easier for everyone to afford a house with just a single income. 
U.S home prices grew at a near-record pace in January according to the National S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index; year-over-year home prices rose by 19.20 percent in January as compared to December’s reading of 18.90 percent. Home prices rose 1.80 percent on a month-to-month basis from December to January.