Prepayment Penalty on a Mortgage: What to Know

By Bill Lyons | Published on January 11, 2024

One significant hurdle that borrowers may encounter is a prepayment penalty, which is a fee that’s triggered by paying off your mortgage early. While the idea of settling a debt ahead of schedule may seem like a smart financial move, lenders often include prepayment penalty clauses in mortgage agreements to protect their interests and ensure a predictable stream of interest income.

Keep reading to learn more about prepayment penalties, how they work, and how to avoid them.

What Is a Prepayment Penalty?

A mortgage prepayment penalty is a fee imposed by a lender when a borrower pays off a loan before the agreed-upon schedule. This penalty compensates the lender, offsetting the interest income they would have earned had the borrower adhered to the original loan terms. Essentially, the prepayment penalty is a deterrent to discourage borrowers from repaying their loans early, ensuring a predictable and stable flow of interest revenue for the lender. 

The terms and conditions of prepayment penalties vary widely depending on the mortgage agreement. Some lenders may implement a fixed fee, while others calculate the penalty as a percentage of the loan balance. Additionally, prepayment penalties may be enforced only during a specific period, such as the first few years of the loan term. 

While prepayment penalties can limit a borrower’s flexibility in managing their financial obligations, they’re a common feature in some mortgages, and awareness of these terms is crucial for making decisions about loan repayment strategies. 

Why Do Lenders Charge Prepayment Penalties on Mortgages?

Lenders charge prepayment penalties on mortgages to protect their financial interests and mitigate the potential loss of anticipated interest income. When a borrower repays a mortgage ahead of schedule, the lender misses out on the interest payments they would have collected over the full term of the loan. This loss of expected interest can impact the lender’s profitability and affect their ability to extend loans to more borrowers. 

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How Do Mortgage Prepayment Penalties Work?

Mortgage prepayment penalties work by imposing a financial cost on borrowers who repay their mortgages before the agreed-upon schedule. The specific mechanics of these penalties vary by lender and loan, but they follow a few common principles. 

Many prepayment penalties are enforced only during a specific period, such as the first 3 -5 years of the loan. After this initial period, borrowers may be free to repay their mortgages without incurring additional charges. 

Additionally, some mortgages allow borrowers to make partial prepayments without triggering penalties. These penalties don’t typically apply to the occasional extra payment. Instead, they’re for hedging against early refinancing, selling your home, or paying off large amounts of the loan balance at once. Lenders might specify a maximum annual prepayment amount or allow a certain percentage of the loan to be repaid early without penalty. 

Keep in mind that not all mortgages have prepayment penalties. They’re most common in fixed-rate mortgages. On the other hand, variable-rate mortgages, which are tied to market interest rates, may be less likely to have prepayment penalties or may have more flexible terms regarding early repayment. 

Lenders are required to disclose the presence and terms of prepayment penalties in the mortgage agreement. You should carefully review these terms and ask your lender about any questions they might have regarding these fees. 

How Much Is a Prepayment Penalty?

How much you pay in prepayment penalty varies based on the structure outlined in your mortgage agreement. Lenders use different methods to calculate these penalties, and borrowers should be aware of these structures before signing a contract. Common ways prepayment penalties can be structured include the following: 

• Fixed amount: Some lenders impose a fixed prepayment penalty, which is a predetermined amount specified in the mortgage agreement. For example, a borrower might agree to pay a flat fee, such as $10,000, if they choose to repay the mortgage early.
• Number of months’ worth of interest: This structure is another common method lenders use. Instead of a fixed amount, the penalty is calculated based on a specified number of months’ worth of interest payments. 
• Percentage of loan balance: Another common structure involves calculating the prepayment penalty as a percentage of the remaining loan balance. You can find this figure on your monthly mortgage statement if you’re unsure of the amount. The penalty amount is directly proportional to the amount of the loan that’s being repaid early. For instance, a penalty of 2% of the outstanding balance could result in a higher penalty for larger loans. 
• Sliding scale based on mortgage length: Some prepayment penalties are structured on a sliding scale. The penalty amount might decrease over the years, providing more flexibility for borrowers who wish to repay their loans as time progresses. For instance, a 5% penalty in the first year might be reduced to 3% in the second year, and so on. 

Mortgage agreements might also include caps or limits on the prepayment penalty. This ensures that the penalty doesn’t exceed a certain predetermined maximum, regardless of how these fees are structured. This can provide borrowers with some protection against excessively high penalties. 

How to Avoid Mortgage Prepayment Penalties

Avoiding or minimizing mortgage prepayment penalties can help you save substantial money and achieve more financial flexibility. With careful planning and strategic decision-making, you can navigate these potential fees. Here are a few tips for avoiding mortgage prepayment penalties: 

Negotiate with the lender

Before signing a mortgage agreement, thoroughly review the terms, including prepayment penalty clauses. If you’re concerned about potential penalties, negotiate with the lender to either reduce the penalty amount, extend the penalty-free period, or eliminate the prepayment penalty altogether. Lenders may be willing to adjust terms, especially if you have a strong credit history and are perceived as a reliable borrower. 

Choose loans without prepayment penalties

Some government-backed loans, such as FHA loans and VA loans, typically don’t have prepayment penalties. Exploring these options can be a way to avoid prepayment fees altogether. However, it’s essential to understand the specific terms of any loan before committing.

Select loans with limited prepayment penalty terms

If opting for a conventional loan, consider choosing one with a shorter prepayment penalty period. Some loans have penalties that apply only during the first few years of the mortgage term. By selecting these loans, you can minimize the duration during which prepayment penalties might be a concern.

Improve your creditworthiness

Lenders assess the creditworthiness of borrowers when determining loan terms. A higher credit score can make you a more attractive borrower, potentially enabling you to negotiate better terms or qualify for loans with lower or no prepayment penalties. Focus on maintaining a good credit history by paying bills on time and managing your debts responsibly. 

Consider refinancing options

If you currently have a mortgage with a prepayment penalty, consider refinancing your loan when penalty-free options become available. Refinancing can provide an opportunity to secure a new mortgage with more favorable terms, potentially without a prepayment penalty. 

Wait to sell 

The easiest way to avoid a mortgage prepayment penalty if you’re already stuck in your mortgage is to wait it out. Prepayment penalties are not perpetual, so by exercising patience and waiting until the period has elapsed, homeowners can significantly diminish the financial impact of settling their mortgages early. 

Of course, sometimes you can’t wait to sell. If, for any reason, you have to sell your home, prepayment penalties may be unavoidable, which is why it’s so important to understand the terms of your mortgage. The only true way to avoid these fees is by not having them in your mortgage contract in the first place. 

Do the math

Taking on a prepayment penalty is often more affordable than continuing with the standard monthly mortgage payments when you factor in your interest costs. While the initial instinct may be to avoid additional fees, it’s essential to consider the long-term financial impact and weigh the affordability and feasibility of both options. 

The key to determining whether to simply pay your prepayment penalty instead of waiting is understanding the specific terms in your mortgage agreement, including the duration of the prepayment penalty period and potential savings you might get by repaying your mortgage early. 

Performing an analysis and considering factors like your financial goals, total costs, and the potential impact on your finances can help you determine whether this strategy is worthwhile. 

Check for Prepayment Penalties When Taking Out a Mortgage

Before committing to a mortgage, always examine the terms and conditions of the agreement and scrutinize the details of a potential prepayment penalty. Knowing whether your mortgage includes this fee and understanding the terms can impact your decision and overall financial health.

With Griffin Funding, there are no surprises. By working with a trusted lender, you can have confidence in the transparency of our mortgage agreements. Our commitment to clear communication ensures that you understand all aspects of your loan, including the presence or absence of prepayment penalties. 

Apply online to get pre-approved for a mortgage today, or download the Griffin Gold app for valuable financial insights and a comprehensive understanding of the mortgages available to you.

Bill Lyons

Bill Lyons is the Founder, CEO & President of Griffin Funding. Founded in 2013, Griffin Funding is a national boutique mortgage lender focusing on delivering 5-star service to its clients. Mr. Lyons has 22 years of experience in the mortgage business. Lyons is seen as an industry leader and expert in real estate finance. Lyons has been featured in Forbes, Inc., Wall Street Journal, HousingWire, and more. As a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association, Lyons is able to keep up with important changes in the industry to deliver the most value to Griffin's clients. Under Lyons' leadership, Griffin Funding has made the Inc. 5000 fastest-growing companies list five times in its 10 years in business.