Mortgage Loans
Home Sweet Loan
Bellwether’s competitive mortgage loan programs have been helping our members turn houses into homes for over 100 years. Let us help bring you home too! Whether you’re a seasoned homeowner or a first-timer, our experienced, caring, local mortgage consultants will help walk you through the steps of the home buying process until you are standing outside your new home.
Check out our handy Homebuyer's Guide for valuable information when buying and financing your new home.
Benefits of a Bellwether Mortgage Loan
- Extended menu of mortgage loan programs to fit a wide variety of mortgage needs, including VA, FHA, and USDA loans
- Competitive Interest rates on Adjustable Rate Mortgages and Fixed Rate Mortgages
First-time buyer? Our Easy Start Mortgage First Time Homebuyers Program offers as little as 3% down payment and no private mortgage insurance - Lower closing costs than many lenders
- Lower private mortgage insurance rates than some other lenders
- Portfolio loan programs
- Local lenders who understand the local market and make local underwriting decisions
Find the Right Mortgage Option
Bellwether also offers a range of Government Mortgage Loans.
First Time Homebuyer
Your first home is out there, and the perfect mortgage loan is right here! Many people avoid getting pre-approved to buy their first home due to their fear of the expense, of how much they qualify for, or often just fear of the unknown! We know buying a home can be a scary thing; that's why our team is here to help make your dream home a reality.
Fixed Rate Mortgages
These loans are popular because the interest rate will not change over the term of the loan. Fixed Rate Mortgages are used in various situations like new home purchases, refinancing to reduce your interest rate, or refinancing to pay off your home more quickly by reducing the term of the loan.
Adjustable Rate Mortgages
Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARM) are home loans that are not fixed for the entire term. In general, ARM interest rates for the initial loan period are usually lower than Fixed Rate Mortgages. These loans involve more risk than Fixed Rate Mortgages, but can also save you money.
Home Construction Loan
Mortgage Calculator
Use Bellwether's Mortgage Calculator to calculate what your monthly payment might be. Choose your loan length and home loan amount to start, and discover your potential mortgage options today.
Conforming Fixed Rate Mortgages*
Payments shown above do not include taxes or insurance. Your payment may be greater.
* All rates and Annual Percentage Rates (APR) subject to change without notice. APR and payment example are based on a $200,000 loan with a 20% down payment. Additional Rate and Point options available. Please call 1-603-645-8181 for more information.
Payments shown above do not include taxes or insurance. Your payment may be greater.
* All rates and Annual Percentage Rates (APR) subject to change without notice. APR and payment example are based on a $200,000 loan with a 20% down payment. Additional Rate and Point options available. Please call 1-603-645-8181 for more information.
New Hampshire Housing Rates*
*APR = Annual Percentage Rates and interest rates are based on current pricing and are subject to change at any time without notice.
DPA = Down Payment Assistance
AMI = Area Median Income
Mortgage insurance may be required depending on loan guidelines (Below 80% AMI limit, 700 FICO, 18% mortgage insurance coverage. Over 80% to 140% AMI limit, 31% mortgage insurance coverage.). If mortgage insurance is required, the mortgage insurance premium could increase the APR, interest rate and the monthly mortgage payment.
*APR = Annual Percentage Rates and interest rates are based on current pricing and are subject to change at any time without notice.
DPA = Down Payment Assistance
AMI = Area Median Income
Mortgage insurance may be required depending on loan guidelines (Below 80% AMI limit, 700 FICO, 18% mortgage insurance coverage. Over 80% to 140% AMI limit, 31% mortgage insurance coverage.). If mortgage insurance is required, the mortgage insurance premium could increase the APR, interest rate and the monthly mortgage payment.
Adjustable Rate Mortgages* (ARMs)
Payments shown above do not include taxes or insurance. Your payment may be greater.
Loan approval, interest rate, and down payment required based on creditworthiness amount financed, and ability to repay. Loans with a down payment less than 20% require mortgage insurance which could increase the monthly payment and Annual Percentage Rate. Escrow for Real Estate taxes may be required which would increase your monthly mortgage payment. Property Insurance is required and flood insurance may be required. Other fees may be assessed, as applicable.
The index for all Adjustable Rate Mortgages is the weekly average of the U.S. Treasury securities for the applicable term. The interest rate on the ARMs will adjust periodically and that may result in an increase of the interest rate after closing. Rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change.
The 1/1 ARM offers a fixed rate for 1 year and adjusts to a 1-year ARM after that period. The interest rate and monthly payment may adjust annually based on the 1-year U.S. Treasury, plus a margin of 2.75 percentage points. Caps are 2% initial, 2% annual and 6% for the lifetime cap.
The 3/1 ARM offers a fixed rate for 3 years and adjusts to a 1-year ARM after that period. The interest rate and monthly payment may adjust annually based on the 1-year U.S. Treasury, plus a margin of 2.75 percentage points. Caps are 2% initial, 2% annual and 6% for the lifetime cap.
The Seasonal Home 5/1 ARM offers a fixed rate for 5 years and adjusts to a 1-year ARM after that period. The interest rate and monthly payment may adjust annually based on the 1-year U.S. Treasury, plus a margin of 3.50 percentage points. Caps are 2% initial, 2% annual and 6% for the lifetime cap.
The 5/1 ARM offers a fixed rate for 5 years and adjusts to a 1-year ARM after that period. The interest rate and monthly payment may adjust annually based on the 1-year U.S. Treasury, plus a margin of 2.75 percentage points. Caps are 2% initial, 2% annual and 6% for the lifetime cap.
The 5/5 ARM offers a fixed rate for 5 years and adjusts to a 5-year ARM after that period. The interest rate and monthly payment may adjust every 5 years based on the 5-year U.S. Treasury, plus a margin of 2.50 percentage points. Caps are 2% initial, 2% annual and 5% for the lifetime cap.
The Easy Start 5/5 ARM offers a fixed rate for 5 years and adjusts to a 5-year ARM after that period. The interest rate and monthly payment may adjust every 5 years based on the 5-year U.S. Treasury, plus a margin of 2.50 percentage points. Caps are 2% initial, 2% annual and 5% for the lifetime cap.
The 7/1 ARM offers a fixed rate for 7 years and adjusts to a 1- year ARM after that period. The interest rate and monthly payment may adjust annually based on the 1 year U.S. Treasury, plus a margin of 2.75 percentage points. Caps are 5% initial, 2% annual and 5% for the lifetime cap.
The 10/1 ARM offers a fixed rate for 10 years and adjusts to a 1- year ARM after that period. The interest rate and monthly payment may adjust annually based on the 1 year U.S. Treasury, plus a margin of 2.75 percentage points. Caps are 5% initial, 2% annual and 5% for the lifetime cap.
For 1 - 4 family owner-occupied residence, condo and one-unit second homes.
Caps
1/1, 3/1, Seasonal Home and 5/1 ARM CMT = 2/2/6
7/1 and 10/1 ARM CMT = 5/2/5
5/5 ARM CMT = 2/2/5
Index and Margin
Index: One Year US Treasury Bill. As of 11/1/2024: 4.28, Margin: 2.75%, Your rate will be rounded up to the nearest eighth. This applies to the 1/1, 3/1, 5/1, Construction 5/1, 7/1, and 10/1 products.
Index: One Year US Treasury Bill. As of 11/1/2024: 4.28, Margin: 3.5%, Your rate will be rounded up to the nearest eighth. This applies to the Seasonal Home.
Index: Five Year US Treasury Bill. As of 11/1/2024: 4.15, Margin: 2.50%, Your rate will be rounded up to the nearest eighth. This applies to the 5/5 and Easy Start products.
Payments shown above do not include taxes or insurance. Your payment may be greater.
Loan approval, interest rate, and down payment required based on creditworthiness amount financed, and ability to repay. Loans with a down payment less than 20% require mortgage insurance which could increase the monthly payment and Annual Percentage Rate. Escrow for Real Estate taxes may be required which would increase your monthly mortgage payment. Property Insurance is required and flood insurance may be required. Other fees may be assessed, as applicable.
The index for all Adjustable Rate Mortgages is the weekly average of the U.S. Treasury securities for the applicable term. The interest rate on the ARMs will adjust periodically and that may result in an increase of the interest rate after closing. Rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change.
The 1/1 ARM offers a fixed rate for 1 year and adjusts to a 1-year ARM after that period. The interest rate and monthly payment may adjust annually based on the 1-year U.S. Treasury, plus a margin of 2.75 percentage points. Caps are 2% initial, 2% annual and 6% for the lifetime cap.
The 3/1 ARM offers a fixed rate for 3 years and adjusts to a 1-year ARM after that period. The interest rate and monthly payment may adjust annually based on the 1-year U.S. Treasury, plus a margin of 2.75 percentage points. Caps are 2% initial, 2% annual and 6% for the lifetime cap.
The Seasonal Home 5/1 ARM offers a fixed rate for 5 years and adjusts to a 1-year ARM after that period. The interest rate and monthly payment may adjust annually based on the 1-year U.S. Treasury, plus a margin of 3.50 percentage points. Caps are 2% initial, 2% annual and 6% for the lifetime cap.
The 5/1 ARM offers a fixed rate for 5 years and adjusts to a 1-year ARM after that period. The interest rate and monthly payment may adjust annually based on the 1-year U.S. Treasury, plus a margin of 2.75 percentage points. Caps are 2% initial, 2% annual and 6% for the lifetime cap.
The 5/5 ARM offers a fixed rate for 5 years and adjusts to a 5-year ARM after that period. The interest rate and monthly payment may adjust every 5 years based on the 5-year U.S. Treasury, plus a margin of 2.50 percentage points. Caps are 2% initial, 2% annual and 5% for the lifetime cap.
The Easy Start 5/5 ARM offers a fixed rate for 5 years and adjusts to a 5-year ARM after that period. The interest rate and monthly payment may adjust every 5 years based on the 5-year U.S. Treasury, plus a margin of 2.50 percentage points. Caps are 2% initial, 2% annual and 5% for the lifetime cap.
The 7/1 ARM offers a fixed rate for 7 years and adjusts to a 1- year ARM after that period. The interest rate and monthly payment may adjust annually based on the 1 year U.S. Treasury, plus a margin of 2.75 percentage points. Caps are 5% initial, 2% annual and 5% for the lifetime cap.
The 10/1 ARM offers a fixed rate for 10 years and adjusts to a 1- year ARM after that period. The interest rate and monthly payment may adjust annually based on the 1 year U.S. Treasury, plus a margin of 2.75 percentage points. Caps are 5% initial, 2% annual and 5% for the lifetime cap.
For 1 - 4 family owner-occupied residence, condo and one-unit second homes.
Caps
1/1, 3/1, Seasonal Home and 5/1 ARM CMT = 2/2/6
7/1 and 10/1 ARM CMT = 5/2/5
5/5 ARM CMT = 2/2/5
Index and Margin
Index: One Year US Treasury Bill. As of 11/1/2024: 4.28, Margin: 2.75%, Your rate will be rounded up to the nearest eighth. This applies to the 1/1, 3/1, 5/1, Construction 5/1, 7/1, and 10/1 products.
Index: One Year US Treasury Bill. As of 11/1/2024: 4.28, Margin: 3.5%, Your rate will be rounded up to the nearest eighth. This applies to the Seasonal Home.
Index: Five Year US Treasury Bill. As of 11/1/2024: 4.15, Margin: 2.50%, Your rate will be rounded up to the nearest eighth. This applies to the 5/5 and Easy Start products.
Get Up to $750 Off Your Closing Costs
- Apply for and close on your first mortgage with Bellwether
- Open a Bellwether MyMoney Checking Account or Live Free Checking Account. If you currently have a checking account with us, that counts!
- Add Direct Deposit to your checking account. We’ve made switching over easier than ever with ClickSWITCH
*To qualify for the maximum $750 closing cost credit, before closing documents are prepared, you must (1) have or open the Bellwether MyMoney or Live Free checking account and (2) finish your direct deposit set up through ClickSWITCH. Direct deposit of a minimum of $1,000 monthly is required. Offer may be discontinued at any time. Offer is valid for new purchases only and not valid on refinances. Excludes No Closing Cost loan products. Mortgage approval is based on credit qualifications. Cannot be combined with any other mortgage discount or offer. Terms and conditions apply.
Testimonials
FAQs
How are interest rates determined?
Interest rates are influenced by the financial markets and can change daily – or multiple times within the same day. The changes are based on many different economic indicators in the financial markets.
How much do I need for a down payment?
There are many different programs available to you. Our conventional mortgage loan programs require a minimum of 5% down with closing costs and pre-paid items. We also offer programs for eligible applications to pay only 3% down. Schedule an appointment with us for more information.
What are closing costs, and how much will they be?
Closing costs will vary by state, property type, and credit. Included in the cost are taxes and government fees, legal services, fees to the lender for processing, and other fees. The borrower must also pay for certain pre-paid items such as daily interest and homeowner’s insurance.
What is the difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval?
Mortgage loan borrowers apply for pre-qualification while they are searching for a home. Pre-qualification allows you and sellers to estimate how much you can afford.