Overview of New Mexico Mortgages
With its rugged mountains, national monuments and rich history, New Mexico certainly has a lot to offer those who choose to call the state home. Historical New Mexico mortgage rates are a bit higher than national average rates. The state counties’ conforming loan and FHA limits stick to the standards, with only a few exceptions.
| Product | Today | Last Week | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 year fixed | 7.75% | 7.75% | 0.00 |
| 15 year fixed | 6.44% | 6.50% | -0.06 |
| 5/1 ARM | 7.38% | 7.38% | 0.00 |
| 30 yr fixed mtg refi | 6.38% | 6.38% | 0.00 |
| 15 yr fixed mtg refi | 5.63% | 5.63% | 0.00 |
| 7/1 ARM refi | 8.63% | 8.50% | +0.13 |
| 15 yr jumbo fixed mtg refi | 3.08% | 3.13% | -0.04 |
National Mortgage Rates
| Lender | APR | Payment |
| Searching for Mortgages...  |
Historical Mortgage Rates in New Mexico
New Mexico Mortgage Rates Quick Facts
- Median Home Value: $214,000 (U.S. Census Bureau)
- Loan Funding Rate: 52.95% (CFPB)
- Homeownership Rate: 69.0% (St. Louis Fed)
- Median Monthly Homeownership Costs: $1,359 (U.S. Census Bureau)
It’s little wonder that New Mexico is known as the Land of Enchantment. From the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the Chihuahuan desert and the Santa Fe arts community, New Mexico is a vibrant, ethereal place to call home. It’s also one of the five largest states in the country.
New Mexico mortgage rates are, on average, a bit higher than the national average.
A financial advisor in New Mexico can help you plan for the homebuying process. Financial advisors can also help with investing and financial plans, including tax, retirement and estate planning, to make sure you are preparing for the future.
*The FHFA stopped reporting new data in 2018.
New Mexico Mortgages Overview
Whether you are looking to become a homeowner in Albuquerque or Santa Fe, it is a good idea to set a budget before you begin your search so you have a realistic idea of what you can afford.
The conforming limits for New Mexico counties are steady at the standard $726,200. This is an indication of the mostly average home prices in the state. The FHA loan limits have a bit more variation. Most of the counties are at the baseline limit of $472,030. However, Taos, Los Alamos and Santa Fe counties are all listed above that limit.
In New Mexico, you will most likely get a deed of trust document instead of a mortgage document. The most important thing to know about deeds of trust is that they allow the lender to foreclose on a home when a buyer has fallen behind on payments without having to go to court. The power of sale clause included in most deeds of trust allows the lender to initiate foreclosure by hiring a third party to auction the home.
New Mexican sellers are required by law to disclose certain information when selling a home. Many sellers use the New Mexico Residential Real Estate Disclosure Statement. This statement addresses items like water issues, soil and drainage, systems and fixtures, structural condition and environmental hazards. While this protects buyers, a quality home inspection is still always a wise idea.
30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates in New Mexico
If you’re planning to stay put in your new home for a long time, a fixed-rate mortgage may be the best choice for you. The interest rate stays the same for the duration of the mortgage’s term which makes it easier for homeowners to budget their monthly payments. The most popular mortgage is the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. With this loan, buyers have three decades for pay off their home and as the years pass more of your payments go toward equity and less goes to the interest.
The average New Mexico rate for a fixed 30-year mortgage is 5.87% (Zillow, Jan. 2023).
New Mexico Jumbo Loan Rates
Every New Mexico county has a conforming loan limit of $726,200. If you need to take out a loan that exceeds that figure to pay for your home here, you will have what’s known as a jumbo loan. It is worth noting that jumbo loans have higher interest rates because they are considered riskier for lenders, as larger sums of money are on the line as compared to a conforming loan (one that’s $726,200 or less in New Mexico). However, jumbo loan rates are currently lower than fixed rates.
The average 30-year fixed jumbo loan rate in New Mexico is 6.07% (Zillow, Jan. 2023).
New Mexico ARM Loan Rates
Another loan option for homebuyers is an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM). These loans offer a lower interest rate initially as compared to fixed-rate loans. That low rate is given for an introductory period somewhere between one and 10 years (the exact time frame depends on the loan’s terms). When that period ends, the interest rate can increase or decrease, but will generally increase. If you’re planning on selling the home within the fixed-interest initial period, this might be a good option for you.
One of the most important things to remember with ARMs is that the interest rate is capped at a certain level which is laid out in the loan’s terms. This means that you technically know what you are getting right from the beginning and the interest rate shouldn’t suddenly jump to something that you absolutely can’t afford. That said, this safeguard only works if you assess it before deciding on an ARM, and make sure that it is something that you can comfortably pay.
The average rate for a 5/1 ARM in New Mexico is 5.57% (Zillow, Jan. 2023).
New Mexico Mortgage Resources
The Land of Enchantment has a lot to offer its residents, and that includes resources for the homebuying process.
The New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority offers down payment and closing cost assistance, as well as programs with varying purchase price and income limits. A statewide network of lenders participates in these programs.
The United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development offers programs for developing rural communities by helping residents obtain affordable housing. Loans and grants are available for qualifying people who are in the market for a new home in rural New Mexico.
New Mexico Mortgage Taxes
Homeowners in the state who itemize deductions on their federal taxes are allowed to deduct the mortgage interest they pay throughout the year from their taxable income. Since New Mexico’s rules for itemized deductions are similar to the federal guidelines, homeowners there can also deduct mortgage interest from their income when filing state taxes.
There are no real estate transfer taxes in New Mexico.
New Mexico Mortgage Refinance
Homeowners who want to refinance can look into the High Loan-to-Value Refinance Option from Fannie Mae. This is around because the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), which offered access to interest and principal payment reductions and low closing costs, has now been retired.
Remember, you can also work with the lender who issued your current mortgage and compare those rates with other refinance lenders to find lower interest rates or better terms.
