Mortgage rates in West Virginia

West Virginia mortgage rates average 4.758% for 30-year loans — 0.11% higher than the national average in 2018. But with home prices lower than the majority of the country, the average monthly payments could be less than $1,000 in most counties in the Mountain State.

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How much do West Virginia rates vary?

The average mortgage rates in West Virginia in 2018 ranged from 4.168% to 4.875% for conventional and government-backed loans. But lenders consider a host of factors, such as the loan type, loan term and credit history when determining your mortgage rate.

2018 average rates in West Virginia by loan type

Loan type	15-year average rate	30-year average rate
Conventional	4.693%	4.714%
FHA	4.168%	4.875%
VA	4.196%	4.685%
USDA	Not available	4.758%

Percentages based on data from ffiec.cfpb.gov.

If you’re a first time home buyer that qualifies for a FHA loan, a 30-year term for $145,000 with a 4.875% rate might cost around $770 a month. If you can afford to pay more monthly, a 15-year FHA loan could get a lower rate of 4.168%. With the lower rate and shorter term, your monthly payments could rise to $1,080, but could save you $80,980 over the life of the loan.

Which way are rates trending in West Virginia?

Mortgage rates in West Virginia are expected to be above the 4% mark.

In the past decade, mortgage rates in West Virginia have surpassed the national average, by about 0.11%. However, West Virginia saw a slight dip in 2013 when the rates were 0.01% lower than the national average.

Bankrate chief financial analyst Greg McBride predicts average US rates to stay at the 4% level in 2020. Since West Virginia rates tend to exceed the national average, we can project that they will exceed 4% in the upcoming year.

Compare mortgage rates throughout West Virginia

The Mountain State’s many diverse regions range in home prices and rates. This means that borrowers in Jefferson County will likely pay more each month than the same property in Charleston.

We dove into the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act and put together an idea of what you could expect to pay on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage in the metropolitan areas throughout West Virginia. These numbers don’t include any extra amounts from insurance, taxes or fees specific to your loan.

Metropolitan statistical area (MSA)	Average mortgage rate	Median loan amount	Estimated monthly cost
Beckley	4.777%	$115,000	$600
Charleston	4.790%	$125,000	$660
Cumberland (Mineral County)	4.681%	$125,000	$650
Martinsburg MSA (Berkeley and Morgan Counties)	4.774%	$175,000	$920
Huntington	4.782%	$145,000	$760
Morgantown	4.520%	$195,000	$990
Parkersburg-Vienna	4.781%	$125,000	$650
Washington MSA (Jefferson County)	4.696%	$240,000	$1,240
Weirton MSA (Brooke and Hancock Counties, WV)	4.739%	$95,000	$490
Wheeling MSA (Marshall and Ohio Counties, WV)	4.817%	$115,000	$610
Winchester	4.851%	$150,000	$790

Rates and prices based on data from ffiec.cfpb.gov.

How to get the best mortgage rate in West Virginia

Here are a few pointers on how to get a better rate for your next loan.

1. Get to know your loan options. Lenders usually have several different loan products and assign varying rates to each. Learn what loan programs you may qualify for.
2. Shore up your credit. Lenders are looking for a positive credit history and low debt-to-income ratio. Before applying for a loan, pay down as much debt as you can and increase your credit score.
3. Calculate closing costs. Lenders often charge high closing costs. In West Virginia, closing costs usually range from 0.82% to 1.23% the sale price of the home. Weigh these fees against your interest rate to get a full idea of what your mortgage may cost.

Historical mortgage interest rates in West Virginia

Bottom line

Mortgage rates in West Virginia are almost always higher than the national average. But since lenders set their own rates, be sure to compare lenders and loan programs to find the best deal on your next mortgage.

Frequently asked questions

What state homeownership programs does West Virginia support?
Yes. West Virginia has two homeownership programs to help make buying a home more affordable for families and individuals.

• Homeownership program. A 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with financing up to 100%. Some borrowers may qualify for down payment and closing cost assistance of up to $10,000.
• Movin’ Up program. Designed for moderate-income homebuyers to move to a new home with down payment and closing cost assistance of up to $8,000. For borrowers whose income is at or below 80% of the Area Median Income, the Movin’ Up Special offers a reduced interest rate and less expensive private mortgage insurance.
• West Virginia Teacher Housing Grants. Housing grants of up to $4,170 and down payment assistance of up to $10,681 for public service professionals to purchase any home on the market.

Where can I find a housing counselor in West Virginia?
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has a network of housing counseling agencies near you. Follow these steps:

1. On hud.gov, choose Resources at the bottom of the page.
2. Select State Information and search for your state.
3. Under the subheading, I Want To, select Learn About Homeownership.
4. Follow the link Housing Counseling Agencies for a list of local housing counselors.