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Do you plan on keeping your mortgage loan for a while? Then it may make sense to "buy" a lower interest rate by paying one or more "points." Even if you're unsure of how long you plan to keep your mortgage before you move or refinance, paying points now for a lower rate may make sense.

A point -- which equals one percent (1%) of the total loan amount -- is an up-front fee that lowers your annual interest rate and total interest due over the life of your loan. So, a one point loan will have a lower interest rate than a no point loan. Basically, the more points you pay upfront, the lower your interest rate.  Paying more now will lower your monthly mortgage paymetns and overall is more affordable over a longer period of time.