2-1 Buydown Calculator (Temporary Buydown Calculator) Skip to main content
Temporary Buydown Calculator

2-1 Buydown Calculator (Temporary Buydown Calculator)

Estimate year-1 and year-2 payments for a 2-1 buydown, compare them with the full note-rate payment, and approximate the buydown fund often covered by seller credits or concessions.

Data as of Jan 2026

Estimate a 2-1 buydown payment path

Default 2-1 structure used here

Year 1 uses base rate - 2%, year 2 uses base rate - 1%, and year 3+ uses the full note rate.

Results

Year 1 Payment

$0

Rate: 0.00%

Year 2 Payment

$0

Rate: 0.00%

Year 3+ (Full Note Rate)

$0

Rate: 0.00%

Est. Buydown Fund

$0

Approximate total P&I subsidy for the first 24 months.

Payment Step-Up

$0

Increase from year 2 to full note-rate payment.

Important caveat

This is a planning estimate. Actual 2-1 buydown pricing, eligibility, and required subsidy depend on lender rules, lock terms, loan program, and whether the buydown is funded through a seller concession / closing-cost credit.

How to use a temporary buydown calculator in a real offer decision

1) Confirm the year-3 payment first

The most important number is the full note-rate payment (year 3+). If that payment does not fit your budget, a temporary buydown can make the first two years feel easier while still leaving you exposed later.

2) Compare buydown relief vs. seller credits

In some deals, the same seller concession could be used for closing costs, discount points, or a temporary buydown. Use the Closing Costs Calculator to estimate your cash-to-close and compare which use of credits solves the bigger constraint.

3) Watch rate volatility near lock decisions

Buydown math can look different if the note rate moves. Pair this calculator with Mortgage Rates Today and the Fed Meeting Schedule when you are making a decision around major Fed or jobs-data weeks.

4) Check qualification and equity assumptions

Qualification still depends on lender underwriting and your full housing payment. Use the LTV Calculator and Mortgage Calculator to keep your down payment, PMI exposure, and payment path aligned.

Compare the full payment before using a temporary buydown

Run base-rate and buydown scenarios together so you know whether the year-3 payment still works.