{"id":1495,"date":"2022-10-14T12:00:05","date_gmt":"2022-10-14T16:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.realtyhop.com\/mortgage-center\/?p=1495"},"modified":"2022-10-11T13:16:53","modified_gmt":"2022-10-11T17:16:53","slug":"what-is-a-prepayment-penalty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.realtyhop.com\/mortgage-center\/what-is-a-prepayment-penalty\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a Prepayment Penalty?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lenders allow borrowers to pay off their mortgage loan prior to their due date, but in some cases may charge an extra fee, known as a prepayment penalty. Beginning in 2014, the rules governing prepayment penalties changed as result of the Dodd-Frank act<\/a>. Mortgages originated since the passing of the new laws must meet certain requirements in order to charge a penalty for early payoffs. <\/p>\n

Why do lenders charge a penalty for paying off a mortgage early?<\/h2>\n

Mortgage lenders generate revenue from interest on loans. When mortgage loans pay off earlier than anticipated, the lender\u2019s revenue generally decreases. Lenders use prepayment penalties to dissuade borrowers from paying the loan in full for a certain period of time. When early payoffs occur, the prepayment penalties offset the revenue that lenders lose in interest.<\/p>\n

Generally, a prepayment penalty takes effect only when a borrower pays off a large amount of the mortgage in a single year. Lenders may limit the annual payoff amount to 20% of the loan. Some lenders may only charge a fee when the full balance pays off. Borrowers may typically add an extra sum each month to lower their principal balance without incurring a prepayment penalty. For example, if your monthly payment is $500 and you send $550, you might not be charged any penalty for paying off a mortgage early. It\u2019s always best to ask your lender about a prepayment penalty prior to making an extra payment.<\/p>\n

If your mortgage loan includes a prepayment penalty, it usually comes into play during the first three years. If you\u2019re planning to pay off a mortgage in full, ask your lender or check your loan documents for information on any fees, including prepayment penalties, that you owe in addition to the outstanding loan balance.<\/p>\n

What are the Rules for Prepayment Penalties on New Mortgage Loans?<\/h2>\n

Beginning in 2014, federal regulations<\/a> limited the amount of prepayment penalties lenders may charge for newly-issued mortgages. Provisions in the new law included the following rules for prepayment fees:<\/p>\n