Factors That Effect Your Mortgage Payment

Your monthly principal and interest charges are determined by the rate and the amount of the loan. And the rate and loan amount, in turn, are affected by several factors. The rate depends on your credit score, discount points you pay, and whether the down payment is less than 20 percent. The loan amount depends on the size of the down payment and the home's price.

There is also the matter of mortgage insurance, which is levied on borrowers who make a down payment of less than 20 percent.