{"id":108192,"date":"2025-12-09T09:30:47","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T17:30:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=108192"},"modified":"2025-12-09T09:30:47","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T17:30:47","slug":"2-1-buydown-mortgage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/2-1-buydown-mortgage\/","title":{"rendered":"How Homebuyers Are Using 2-1 Buydowns to Make Early Payments More Affordable"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A 2-1 buydown can be a useful option for buyers who want lower mortgage payments in the first years of homeownership\u2014especially in today\u2019s higher-rate market. Whether you\u2019re <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/30818\/TX\/Austin\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">buying a house in Austin, TX<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or searching for a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/5155\/CO\/Denver\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home in Denver, CO<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, this temporary rate-reduction option can make the early years of a mortgage more affordable.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This Redfin article breaks how a 2-1 buydown works, who qualifies, what it costs,, pros and cons, and how it compares to alternatives like permanent buydowns, ARMs, and seller concessions.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is a 2-1 buydown?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A 2-1 buydown is a temporary mortgage arrangement where your interest rate is reduced for the first two years of your loan:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Year 1:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Rate is 2 percentage points lower<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Year 2:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Rate is<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1 percentage point lower<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Year 3+:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Rate returns to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-is-a-mortgage-note\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">full note<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> rate for the remainder of the loan<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The seller, builder, lender, or buyer pays an upfront fee to \u201cbuy down\u201d the interest rate for those first two years, creating lower <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/mortgage-calculator\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">monthly mortgage payments<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at the beginning of the loan.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Key takeaway:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A 2-1 buydown <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">does not<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> permanently reduce your interest rate. Most buyers use it to ease into monthly payments or bridge the gap until refinancing becomes an option, but future rate drops are not guaranteed.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How a 2-1 buydown works (with example)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s say you\u2019re buying a home with:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loan amount:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$400,000<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Note rate<\/span><b>: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6.5%<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loan type: 30-year fixed<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With a <\/span><b>2-1 buydown<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, your rate would look like:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Year 1:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 4.5%<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Year 2:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 5.5%<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Year 3\u201330:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 6.5%<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Payment comparison<\/span><\/h3>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Year<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Rate<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Monthly principal &amp; interest<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4.5%<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">~$2,027<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5.5%<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">~$2,271<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3\u201330<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6.5%<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">~$2,528<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Note: These figures reflect principal and interest only. Your full payment (including taxes, insurance, and HOA if applicable) will be higher.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Savings:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Year 1: Save <\/span><b>~$501\/month<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Year 2: Save <\/span><b>~$257\/month<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Total temporary savings: <\/span><b>~$9,096<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Who pays for the buydown?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Usually one of the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Seller:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Common in buyer\u2019s markets or new construction incentives<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Builder:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Often used to attract buyers in new developments<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Lender:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Sometimes offered as a promotional incentive<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Buyer:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You can pay the cost yourself, but this is less common<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The cost equals the difference between the discounted and full payments for years 1 and 2, and those funds are deposited upfront into a buydown escrow account and applied monthly to supplement your payment.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seller concession limits (quick reference)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These percentages represent the maximum amount a seller can contribute toward your closing costs, including a temporary buydown, which means the buydown must fit within these limits if the seller is the one funding it.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Conventional:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Typically 3%\u20139% depending on down payment<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>FHA:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Up to 6%<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>VA:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> More flexible\u2014no strict % cap, but concessions must be \u201creasonable\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2-1 buydown requirements<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You must still qualify for the <\/span><b>full note rate<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, even though your first two years of payments are lower.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typical requirements include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Must meet lender\u2019s credit score and DTI guidelines based on the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">full<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> payment<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Applies to most conventional, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-is-an-fha-loan\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FHA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-does-a-va-loan-work\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">VA loans<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not available for certain investment properties or specialty programs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seller-paid buydown must fall within <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/seller-concessions-101\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">seller concession limits<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros and cons of a 2-1 buydown<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Lower payments at the start: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Helpful for buyers absorbing new homeownership costs or timing around childcare, renovations, or other expenses.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Useful in high-rate environments: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Temporary relief while waiting for potential refinancing opportunities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Attractive seller incentive: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sellers may offer a buydown instead of lowering the list price.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Predictable payment increases: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlike ARMs, payment increases are fixed and laid out upfront.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cons<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Payment shock after year two: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your payment increases to the full note rate in year three, so budgeting for that change is essential.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Does not permanently reduce your rate: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If rates stay high, you\u2019ll still be at the original note rate later.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Not always the best use of seller concessions: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes putting concessions toward <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/closing-costs-for-sellers\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closing costs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or price reduction creates more long-term benefit.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Must qualify at the full payment: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The lower introductory rate cannot help you qualify for a larger loan amount.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is a 2-1 buydown worth it?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A 2-1 buydown can be a strong choice if:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You expect income to increase in the next 1\u20133 years<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You want to ease into homeownership costs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You hope to refinance if rates improve, but understand that lower future rates aren\u2019t guaranteed<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A seller or builder is offering it at no additional cost to you<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It may <\/span><b>not<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> be the best choice if:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You expect to stay in the home long-term and want permanent savings<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You are sensitive to payment increases<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You could use concessions more strategically elsewhere<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2-1 buydown vs. permanent buydown<\/span><\/h2>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Feature<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>2-1 Buydown<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Permanent Buydown<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lowers rate temporarily<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2714\ufe0f<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u274c<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lowers rate permanently<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u274c<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2714\ufe0f<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cost<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lower upfront<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Higher upfront<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Best for<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Short-term relief<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Long-term savings<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Allows refinancing?<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2714\ufe0f<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2714\ufe0f<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><b>Quick rule of thumb: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">long-term<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> savings and plan to keep the home for many years, a permanent buydown may be better. If you want <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">short-term<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> affordability, choose a 2-1 buydown.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2-1 buydown vs. 3-2-1 buydown<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><b>3-2-1 buydown<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> reduces the rate by 3% in year 1, 2% in year 2, and 1% in year 3. Because it lasts longer, it typically costs significantly more and requires larger seller concessions or builder incentives.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use when:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seller\/builder is offering large incentives<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You want even more breathing room during your first few years<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want a full breakdown of the different types of temporary and permanent rate buydowns, check out our guide: <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-is-a-mortgage-buydown\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Is a Mortgage Buydown?<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2-1 buydown vs. ARM loan<\/span><\/h2>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Feature<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>2-1 Buydown<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>ARM (5\/6, 7\/6, etc.)<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Initial low rate<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2714\ufe0f<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2714\ufe0f Usually lower<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rate after intro period<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fixed full rate<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adjusts based on market<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Predictability<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medium\/Low<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Risk level<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Low<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Higher<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An ARM may offer a lower starting payment, but a 2-1 buydown locks in certainty. Once it resets in year three, your rate remains fixed rather than adjusting with the market.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alternatives to a 2-1 buydown<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re not sure a 2-1 buydown is right for you, consider:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seller concessions toward closing costs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Permanent rate buydown<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-is-an-adjustable-rate-mortgage\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adjustable-rate mortgage<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (ARM)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Larger down payment<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shorter loan term (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/15-vs-30-year-mortgage\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">15-year<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) if affordable<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shopping lenders for better pricing<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to decide if a 2-1 buydown makes sense<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ask yourself:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Will my income increase in the next two years?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Am I comfortable with the full payment in year three?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is the seller paying for the buydown (best-case scenario)?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/when-to-refinance-mortgage\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do I plan to refinance?<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Does my lender offer this program for my loan type?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the answers align with your goals, a 2-1 buydown can be a smart, flexible tool to make early homeownership more affordable.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frequently asked question about a 2-1 buydown<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Can you refinance during a 2-1 buydown?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes. You can refinance at any time, if you refinance early, any unused escrow funds are generally applied to your loan balance, depending on lender terms.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Does a 2-1 buydown affect your credit score?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No\u2014it&#8217;s simply a payment structure. It doesn\u2019t change credit reporting or loan qualification.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Can first-time buyers use a 2-1 buydown?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes. Most lenders allow it on conventional, FHA, and VA loans.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A 2-1 buydown temporarily lowers your mortgage rate for two years. Learn how it works, how much you can save, and when this strategy is worth it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":562,"featured_media":102096,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[34277],"tags":[34642],"coauthors":[34346],"class_list":["post-108192","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-finance","tag-mortgage"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.7 (Yoast SEO v28.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How a 2-1 Buydown Lowers Your Mortgage Payment - Redfin<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A 2-1 buydown temporarily lowers your mortgage rate for two years. 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