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Understanding Loan Payments
Loan payments are calculated using the amortization formula, which divides your loan into equal monthly payments that cover both principal and interest. Early payments are mostly interest; later payments are mostly principal.
How Interest Rates Impact Your Payment
On a $250,000 mortgage: at 5% the payment is $1,342/month ($233,139 total interest). At 7% it jumps to $1,663/month ($348,772 total interest). That 2% difference costs an extra $115,633 over the life of the loan.
15-Year vs 30-Year Mortgages
A 15-year loan has higher monthly payments but dramatically less total interest. On $250,000 at 6.5%: 30-year = $1,580/month ($318,861 interest). 15-year = $2,177/month ($141,928 interest). You save $176,933 with the shorter term.