CRAM ARCADE Open App

A borrower is considering paying discount points to reduce her interest rate on a $320,000 conventional loan. Her loan officer quotes 1.5 points. How much will the borrower pay in discount points, and what are points calculated from?

Loan Origination Activities · 27% of the SAFE exameasy

Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: $4,800 — calculated as 1.5% of the loan amount

Discount points are calculated as a percentage of the LOAN AMOUNT (not the purchase price or appraised value). One discount point = 1% of the loan amount. So 1.5 points on a $320,000 loan = $320,000 × 1.5% = $4,800. Each point generally reduces the interest rate by approximately 0.25%, though this varies by lender and market conditions. Points are prepaid interest and are tax-deductible in the year paid (for purchase loans) or over the life of the loan (for refinances). The key exam distinction: points are always based on the loan amount, never the purchase price or appraised value. "$3,200 — calculated as 1.5% of the purchase price" uses the wrong base (purchase price). "$3,200 — calculated as 1% of the loan amount plus a..." incorrectly splits the calculation. "$4,800 — calculated as 1.5% of the appraised value" uses appraised value, which is also wrong.

Drill 2,078 more questions like this, free

CRAM ARCADE has the full NMLS question bank, timed practice exams, focus drills on your weakest category, flashcards and spaced repetition. No credit card.

Start studying free