Navigating The Complexities Of Home Loan Interest Rates In 2023

A Home Loan is financial aid or assistance provided to individuals by banks and private financial institutions for constructing or buying a house. It requires careful consideration of many factors for selecting the ideal lender and Home Loan terms. The interest rate charged on a Home Loan is one of the essential parameters to consider while getting a Home Loan. 

We should always go for a loan with terms that suit our financial needs. Understanding Home Loan interest rates and other major terms and conditions is highly recommended and beneficial before signing a loan agreement. 

It would help you make a well-informed decision that will eventually save you from paying excessive interest rates and charges. So, let’s move ahead to explore all the relevant information relating to Home Loan interest rates. 

What are Home Loan interest rates?

The Home Loan interest rate is the percentage of the overall principal sum that a bank or the lender charges the borrower per annum for providing a loan. The particular lender decides the percentage of interest applicable to a specific loan; therefore, it is not fixed and might vary from lender to lender or from buyer to buyer. 

What are the main categories of Home Loan interest rates?

Interestingly, there are two types of Home Loan interest rates depending on various factors:

• Fixed Rate of Interest

A fixed interest rate remains constant throughout the repayment period. It allows the borrower to pay a fixed amount as EMI and lets the borrowers plan their finances beforehand. However, it also bars the borrower from leveraging the benefits of interest rate reduction. 

•  Floating Rate of interest   

A floating interest rate may change during the tenure of the loan. It keeps changing according to the market situation, the repo rate of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and other external factors. As a result, the EMI amount changes, and the borrower might need to pay a different EMI.  

What are the factors that affect the Home Loan interest rate?

Knowing the lender has the authority to decide the final interest rate is essential. However, there are a few crucial factors that affect the interest rate:

• Benchmark Lending Rate

Banks and financial institutions have benchmark lending rates. Most banks consider RBI’s repo rate the primary external benchmark, whereas the Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs) consider Prime Lending Rate (PLR) to decide the Housing Loan interest rates.

•  Credit Score of the Borrower

The credit score allows the bank or the lender to analyse the past loan repayment records of the borrower. It helps the lender decide whether the applicant is worthy of the loan or not. A high credit increases the likelihood of a borrower getting their loan application approved and also allows them to negotiate with the lender to get a better rate. On the other hand, if the borrower has a lower credit score, a higher interest rate might be charged.

• Income of the Borrower

The bank generally considers that a borrower with a stable source of income has a lower credit risk. Because of this, salaried employees at well-established companies might get Home Loans at better terms and interest rates. 

• Location of the Property

If the borrower takes the loan to buy a house, then factors like location, age, and overall condition affect the interest rate. It is because these factors affect the resale value of the house. 

How are Home Loan EMIs calculated?

There are different ways and methods to calculate Home Loan EMIs:

• Reducing Balance Method

  : In this method, the interest rate is calculated only on the outstanding amount. Therefore, the interest rate keeps changing with the gradual payment of EMIs. Under this method, the formula EMI = [P x r x (1+r)^n]/[(1+r)^n-1] (P is the principal amount, r is the interest rate, n is the number of instalments)

Home Loan EMI Calculator: Almost every bank and financial institution offers an online Home Loan EMI calculator to calculate the applicable EMIs you need to pay. Anyone who wishes to borrow can use this calculator to arrive at values they would be comfortable with.   

Tips to get a Home Loan at low-interest rates

The following tips can help you secure a Home Loan at a low interest rate

• Maintaining a CIBIL score of 750 and above. 
• Applying for a joint Home Loan with your spouse, parent or someone else. 

Wrapping Up!

Navigating the complexities of Home Loan interest rates in 2023 requires a clear understanding of the factors that influence them. By staying informed and exploring available options, borrowers can make informed decisions and maximise their financial outcomes.