Is it always the best idea to pay off a mortgage over 30 years? While it may help a homeowner lower his or monthly payment, it can mean paying more in interest and waiting several more years to build sufficient equity in the home.
To get a conventional loan, you will usually need to have at least 20 percent equity. This means that your house will have to be worth at least $250,000 to get a $200,000 loan. If you have less equity, you could end up having to pay for private mortgage insurance, which can easily add $100 or more to your monthly payment.