Mortgage Payment Calculator Principal Loan Amount: Interest Rate: Term in Years: Monthly Payment: function calculateMortgagePayment(){ // Get the values from the form var principal = document.getElementById("principal").value; var interest = document.getElementById("interest").value; var term = document.getElementById("term").value; // Calculate total interest rate interest = (interest/100)/12; // Calculate total monthly payment var payment = (principal*interest)/(1-Math.pow(1/(1+interest),term*12)); document.getElementById("payment").value = payment.toFixed(2); } Understanding Mortgage Payment Calculators A mortgage loan calculator is an online tool used to help determine the monthly payments a borrower makes on a loan. The calculator takes into account factors such as the total loan amount, interest rate, and length of loan in order to estimate what monthly payment the borrower will make. The calculator can also estimate an amortization schedule, which is a breakdown of the loan payments over time. For homeowners who plan to take out a mortgage loan in order to complete a home purchase, understanding how to effectively use a mortgage loan calculator can help them efficiently estimate and budget. When a borrower is ready to start estimating their mortgage payments, the first entry they need to make into the loan calculator is the loan amount. This can include the purchase price of the house as well as any applicable closing costs or closing fees. The interest rate is then entered. This is often an adjustable interest rate, and the calculator can factor in a certain percentage change depending on the adjustable rate offered by the lender. The length of loan is then entered. This is the number of years that the loan will be held. Most mortgage loans have a typical length of 15 to 30 years. Interest rates often vary according to the loan length, so the calculator can also account for that. A shorter loan period usually offers a lower interest rate, and a longer loan period usually results in higher monthly payments. The final piece of information that is needed to use a mortgage loan calculator accurately is the estimated taxes and insurance that the homeowner will pay each month. This figure is often calculated as part of an escrow account in order to ensure that payments are made on time. Once this figure is entered into the loan calculator, it can provide an accurate estimate of the homeowner's monthly payments. Comparing Different Loan Options The other benefit of a mortgage loan calculator is that it can be used to compare different types of loan options. For instance, a borrower may be able to get a loan with an adjustable interest rate or one with a fixed interest rate. Similarly, some lenders may offer other loan options such as a 15-year loan, 20-year loan, or 30-year loan. By entering the different loan terms into the calculator, a borrower can figure out the estimated payments for each loan and quickly compare and contrast the different loan options. When comparing loan options, it is important to remember that other factors besides the monthly payments can come into play.For example, the terms and conditions of a loan may differ from lender to lender, and this can result in different borrower responsibilities. In addition, the length of the loan can have an impact on how much interest the borrower will pay overall, so this should be taken into consideration. Additional Tips for Using a Mortgage Loan Calculator In addition to knowing how to effectively use a loan calculator to estimate monthly payments, there are also some additional tips that borrowers should know. First, it is important to know that the calculator can only give an approximate estimate, so exact payment amounts may vary. Additionally, borrowers should not use the calculator to make final decisions about a loan; it should be used as a tool to compare loan options, generate an amortization schedule, and get an approximate idea of the monthly payment amount. Finally, it is important to remember that estimated payments from a loan calculator may not include additional fees such as taxes and insurance. It is a good idea to check with the lender directly to get an accurate estimate of the fees associated with a specific loan. Overall, a mortgage loan calculator can be a very useful tool for understanding and budgeting for the costs associated with different loan options.