Buydown Calculator

Explore savings on mortgage payments with our Buydown Calculator. It shows cash needed for reduced payments in WA, CA, OR, ID, and CO. Easy to use, it offers clear insights for homebuyers. Simply input your numbers and choose options to understand potential savings and upfront costs.

Buydown
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Payment breakdown
Amortization schedule
Payment breakdown

The total buydown fee for this loan is

See your lower monthly payment for the first years of the loan.

Select year:
/for year 1
Monthly Payment
Interest Rate
Monthly Savings
Principal and Interest
Taxes
HOA
Buydown Contribution
Insurance
Amortization schedule

Over years you'll pay and this is based on an estimated monthly payment of .

Your total principal payment is and your total interest payment is .

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Common Buydown Calculator Terms

A buydown calculator helps estimate how a reduced interest rate—either temporary or permanent—can lower your monthly mortgage payment. The terms below explain the key inputs used to calculate buydown savings and payment changes over time.

Buydown Type

Defines whether the interest rate reduction is temporary (such as a 2-1 or 1-0 buydown) or permanent. Temporary buydowns reduce payments for a limited period, while permanent buydowns lower the rate for the full loan term.

Buydown Period

The length of time the reduced interest rate applies. For temporary buydowns, this is usually one to three years before the loan adjusts to the standard rate.

Initial Interest Rate

The lowered interest rate applied at the start of the loan during the buydown period. This rate directly impacts the reduced monthly payment shown in the calculator.

Standard Interest Rate

The regular interest rate the loan will return to after the buydown period ends. This rate is used to calculate future monthly payments once the buydown expires.

Buydown Cost

The upfront amount paid at closing to fund the buydown. This cost may be paid by the borrower, seller, builder, or lender, depending on the loan structure.

Monthly Payment Adjustment

The difference between the reduced payment during the buydown period and the standard mortgage payment. The calculator uses this to show how payments change over time.

Total Buydown Savings

The estimated amount saved during the buydown period compared to making standard payments from day one.
Rate Quote Expected

Rate Quote Isn’t What You Expected?

If your instant rate quote isn’t what you expected, we can provide counsel on how to potentially transform your quote into something more acceptable. Sammamish Mortgage is a family-owned mortgage company with over 30 years of experience in the industry. We proudly serve customers in the Pacific Northwest region. We serve WA, ID, OR, CO and CA. If you’re looking to buy a home in one of these states, we can help!

Our Reviews

Shelby Hallford
July 6, 2026
I had never heard of Sammamish prior to this home purchase, and it's not my first home purchase. Im so glad we found them, Jessica and Shawn were incredible! Jessica was out a day on the weekend early on when still rate shopping and a teammate of hers gave a rapid response, which mattered to us and helped move the process when other companies wouldn't. She beat out competitors and was responsive. Shawn stepped in to work through the logistical side of things once we had decided to proceed, and without him, I dont think we would've closed on time due to some slow communication with other partners during the process. He was the one I leaned on most (between lending, title, and buying agent), even with questions not meant for him, due to his knowledge and responsiveness. Would 100% recommend to friends and family!
Zachary Deeds
June 30, 2026
Extremely communicative, fast to close and great rates. Couldnt be better for first time buyers like ourselves.
Robert MacDonald
June 25, 2026
Drew Ebner and his team were fantastic. Great communication, very prompt in their responses, and really helped guide us through every step of the process. Drew gave us spreadsheets to help us estimate mortgage amounts across a variety of interest rates and home values, which really enabled us to have confidence when viewing homes. The pre-approval process was another confidence-builder for the whole process as well. Drew was always quick to answer questions, kept me in-the-loop the whole way, and Shelly was a fantastic partner as well. They really made this extremely simple, something my wife and I are enormously grateful for through this, our first homebuying experience. Highly appreciative and will recommend the team to anyone else we know who is looking to buy!
J Hinshaw
June 25, 2026
Saved us money, time, and gave us peace of mind with their responsiveness and helpfulness. Got me a great interest rate! Would recommend to any and all
Cailen McDevitt
June 22, 2026
We used them for buying our first house. Very responsive, personable, helpful, good rate options, and they were able to help us close on our house in 21 days. We would certainly work with them again in the future.
Esteban Victorio
June 19, 2026
Sandra Harrison Brown and Shelly Nguyen Jefferson were both exceptional. They communicated extremely well to let us know what they needed from us to get our loan approved quickly. Our transaction was smooth and low stress and we would highly recommend Sammamish.
Pallavi Shrestha
June 18, 2026
10/10 experience! Shelly Nyugen and Sandra Brown were so professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly responsive throughout the entire process. They made everything smooth and stress-free, answered all my questions promptly, and ensured we closed on time. I truly appreciate their dedication and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a reliable mortgage professional.

FAQs

What does “mortgage buydown” mean?

A mortgage buydown is a way to lower your interest rate by using upfront funds to reduce your monthly payment. The reduced rate can apply for a limited time at the start of the loan or for the entire loan term, depending on how the buydown is structured.

What does the buydown calculator actually calculate?

This calculator estimates how a reduced interest rate affects your monthly mortgage payment during a buydown period. It compares payments at the lowered rate with payments at the standard rate, helping you see how your payment changes over time.

Which buydown options can be estimated with this tool?

The calculator supports common temporary buydown structures, such as 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2-1 buydowns, where the interest rate gradually increases each year. It can also be used to estimate permanent buydowns when the interest rate remains reduced for the full loan term.

Why do buyers use a buydown instead of a lower-priced home?

Some buyers prefer a buydown because it reduces early monthly payments without changing the home price. This can be helpful when adjusting to new housing costs, planning for future income growth, or using seller or builder incentives strategically.

Does it matter who pays for the buydown?

Not for the calculation itself. The buydown cost may be paid by the buyer, seller, or builder, depending on the purchase agreement. The calculator focuses on how the reduced interest rate affects monthly payments, regardless of who covers the upfront cost.

Are taxes, insurance, and PMI included in the buydown results?

No. The buydown calculator is designed to show changes in principal and interest payments only. Property taxes, homeowners insurance, and mortgage insurance are not included and may vary based on location and loan type.

Can I rely on these numbers when making a financing decision?

The results are estimates meant for planning and comparison purposes. Actual loan terms, interest rates, and buydown costs can vary based on market conditions and borrower qualifications. A loan officer can provide precise figures and official loan disclosures.

States We Lend In

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Get Pre-Approved in These States

We offer detailed mortgage pre-approval guides for multiple locations across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Choose your state to learn more:
Washington
Oregon
Idaho
California
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