Top Insider Tips to SAVE BIG on Your Mortgage in 2025

The biggest reason people aren't buying houses is the fear that they won't be able to afford it. If homeownership feels out of reach, don’t worry—there are ways to make it happen. X2 Mortgage is a wholesale mortgage brokerage, and we help people like you every day to uncover money-saving opportunities tailored to your specific situation. With the right lending team behind you, you can take steps toward securing the home of your dreams.

1. Shop When No One is Shopping – Think the Opposite of Black Friday.

The best time to buy a house was yesterday... but if we’re talking about the calendar year, the holiday season is prime time. Maybe you’d rather be at a pumpkin patch, but you may be able to take advantage of deals that others are missing out on. Statistics show that during the fourth quarter,  interest rates often dip as lenders push to meet their year-end sales quotas. With fewer buyers in the market, competition is low, which gives you a stronger position when it comes to making offers. 

The holiday season is also a great time to negotiate with sellers for more concessions, as they have fewer offers to choose from. Plus, because you’re one of the few buyers in the market, you’ll be in the spotlight—lenders can focus on your transaction and may even close more quickly. Many savvy investors and real estate experts specifically choose this time of year to invest, because it means better deals, fewer competitors, and less stress.

 

2. Find a Broker – Brokers Really Are Better.

Brokers, like X2 Mortgage, can offer exclusive incentives many buyers don’t know about; like lower fees, better rates, and special mortgage saving programs. What's the difference between a wholesale brokerage and a retail model when it comes to saving money?  Consider a traditional bank, like Bank of America with its 213,500 employees: When they sell a loan, they need to cover the costs of all those employees—HR, underwriting, closers, loan officers, etc. Guess who pays for that? The borrower—through extra fees. At X2 Mortgage, our streamlined technology reduces the need for unnecessary staff and overhead, making it a ‘mom-and-pop’ brokerage you’ll want to tell your friends about. 

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Another huge reason why we don't charge fees is in how we identify ourselves – as brokers. In the broker model, we partner with 40+ lenders who pay us directly. In contrast, Bank of America services their own loans which costs money for them in the long run. Who foots that bill?  The borrower. We know the ins and outs of the industry, and we pride ourselves on giving the best deal possible to our borrowers while providing exceptional customer service. 

 

3. Shop Around for the Best Rate – Or Let Us Do It for You.

Interest rates fluctuate by the hour, so having a broker with behind-the-scenes access to real-time rates is a no brainer. Brokers at X2 Mortgage have extensive experience and can help you secure the best possible rate for your financial situation. As we all know, even a slight reduction in the interest rate can save you thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. We also know that not only the rate itself, but also when you lock your rate, is going to get you what you need – a more manageable monthly payment.

 

4. Do a Financial Check-Up – You Have More Power Than You Think.

You can adjust your financial habits at any time by improving your credit score, saving more, and paying down debt. In the current political and economic landscape, that can feel hopeless sometimes. As you begin your financial check up, a good question to ask yourself is: Am I a victim or a player? While acknowledging systemic inequalities and power imbalances, there are still ways to empower yourself and take action on improving your financial situation. 

The reality is, lenders evaluate your overall financial picture and level of risk when offering loans. Being financially prepared will not only save you money on your mortgage in 2025, but you can also set yourself up for other investments down the road. 

 

5. Ask About Money-Saving Programs – 2/1 Buydowns Are So Hot Right Now.

At X2 Mortgage, we offer dozens of ways to help borrowers save, depending on their needs. A popular option is the 2/1 Buydown. This program temporarily lowers your mortgage interest rate for the first two years. For example, if your current qualifying rate is 6.5%, in the first year, it will be 4.5%, and in the second year, 5.5%. After that, it returns to the full rate for the remainder of the loan(6.5%).

Don’t want to pay for it? You can work with your broker and real estate agent to negotiate closing costs with the seller to cover this fantastic program. (Remember: if you buy during a slower season, there’s less competition, and sellers are more likely to agree to concessions like this.)

 

 

6. Consider Bi-weekly Payments - Think Less is More

 

If you haven't seen this tip on social media, you’re going to want to pay attention. Bi-weekly payments can turn your 30 year loan term into 25 years, potentially saving you tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. Here’s how it works: 

 

If you split up your monthly payment into two, you will pay 26 half payments, or 13 full payments per year, instead of the usual 12. By doing this, you pay one extra payment towards your principal without breaking your budget. For example, if your $2,000 mortgage payment is due on the 1st of the month, using this approach means you break up your payment and pay $1,000 on the 1st, and $1,000 on the 15th. 

 

It's up to you how you want to pay your mortgage, but this small change can shave off years on your loan, reducing the amount of interest you pay over time. 

 

 

 

7. Refinance – Wanna Save Money by Chance?

 

Refinancing your mortgage is a great way to make your equity work for you. We ensure that every refinance provides a 'net tangible benefit' for our clients. This is an industry ethical standard we take very seriously, and it means that refinances have to make sense financially for each situation, and be in the best interest of the borrower, their financial goals, and the whole picture. 

 

As stated above, X2 Mortgage brokers are experts on interest rates and timing the market. While everyone in our industry wishes they had a crystal ball and could calculate exactly when rates drop and by how much, no one knows. However, we dedicate our careers to closely monitoring rates and analyzing market trends, ensuring we choose the optimal moment to lock in each loan. Our goal is to wow each borrower with their savings, and help meet whatever problem they bring us with a solution.

 

 

 

8. Ask us about ARMS anytime - We’ll Adjust. 

 

ARMS, or Adjustable Rate Mortgages, are a really great option for the right borrower and situation. If you are not sure you are in a place to buy your forever home, an ARM might be the loan for you.  

 

ARMS typically start off on a lower fixed interest rate for a set period–from 3, 5, 7, or 10 years, after which the rate adjusts based on the market. ARM’s usually have a lower interest rate, because they are based off a different index than your traditional fixed rate mortgages. Because the traditional fixed rate time frame usually has a lower interest rate, your mortgage payment  can be much lower than a traditional 30 year fixed rate mortgages.  

 

 

 

 

Why It All Matters

We not only want to help you finance your home or build your real estate portfolio, but be a part of you reaching your dreams. If you want those cozy winter evenings in front of your Christmas tree, extra cash to decorate your new home, or finally have enough backyard for your dog to run and play in, we know every penny counts. At X2, we believe Mortgages are affordable—it’s all about who you know!