Thinking About Buying? Lower Your First-Year Payment with the Opulence Advantage

Over the past few years, many homebuyers stepped away from the market because monthly payments became harder to justify. Rising interest rates, higher home prices, and upfront costs caused many buyers to hit pause on purchasing altogether.

Today, buyers are starting to look again, especially when opportunities become available that create more flexibility during the first year of homeownership.

At Opulence Home Equity, we're helping buyers re-enter the market with what we call the Opulence Advantage: a 1-0 buydown mortgage opportunity designed to help lower first-year mortgage payments and create more breathing room upfront.

For many buyers, this creates an opportunity to move forward with more confidence instead of continuing to wait on the sidelines.

Verify my home purchase mortgage eligibility

What Is a 1-0 Buydown Mortgage?

A 1-0 buydown mortgage temporarily lowers the borrower's interest rate by 1% during the first year of the loan.

That means buyers benefit from a lower monthly mortgage payment during year one before the loan returns to the full note rate beginning in year two.

Example:

• Market Rate: 6.5%
• Year One Rate: 5.5%
• Year Two+: Returns to the full note rate

This temporary reduction can help buyers ease into homeownership while managing other financial priorities that often come with purchasing a home.

Verify my home purchase mortgage eligibility

The Opulence Advantage

As part of the Opulence Advantage, eligible buyers may qualify for a 1% temporary buydown on qualifying purchase loans locked by June 30, 2026.

In many cases, the cost of the temporary buydown may be covered through seller concessions, lender-paid contributions, or other allowable credits, where permitted by loan program guidelines.

This creates two potential approaches for buyers:

Option 1: Lower Your First-Year Mortgage Payment

Some buyers choose to use the 1-0 buydown exactly as intended, lowering their payment during the first year of the loan.

For many homeowners, that extra flexibility can help with:

• Moving expenses
• Furniture purchases
• Emergency savings
• Household adjustments
• Transitioning comfortably into homeownership

The lower first-year payment may also help buyers feel more comfortable entering the market again after sitting out during higher-rate environments.

Option 2: Use the Benefit Toward Closing Costs

Some buyers may choose to structure the opportunity differently by using available credits toward closing costs and upfront expenses instead.

For buyers focused on bringing less money to closing, this can create another path toward affordability.

At Opulence Home Equity, we help buyers review both options and determine which approach makes the most sense for their goals.

Verify my home purchase mortgage eligibility

Why Buyers Are Looking at Homes Again

Many buyers paused their home search while waiting for rates or affordability conditions to improve.

Now, financing strategies like temporary buydowns are helping buyers rethink what may be possible.

For some buyers, the question is no longer:

"Should I wait forever?"

Instead, it becomes:

"Can I structure this smartly enough to move forward comfortably now?"

That's exactly where the Opulence Advantage comes in.

Our team works with buyers to create financing strategies designed around real-life affordability, not just interest rates alone.

Verify my home purchase mortgage eligibility

Why Homebuyers Are Interested in Temporary Buydowns

A temporary buydown mortgage can help create flexibility during one of the most expensive transitions in life.

Many buyers use the savings from a lower first-year payment to help offset:

• New home expenses
• Utility setup costs
• Furniture and appliances
• Repairs or improvements
• Other monthly obligations

For first-time buyers especially, that flexibility can make a significant difference during the first year of ownership.

For buyers who have been waiting, this may be the push needed to start touring homes again and preparing to make offers.

How Opulence Helps Buyers

At Opulence, we believe mortgages should be structured around the buyer,  not the other way around.

Our team helps clients understand:

• Monthly payment options
• Temporary buydown strategies
• Purchase affordability
• Closing cost structures
• Financing flexibility
• Long-term homeownership planning

We focus on helping buyers feel educated, prepared, and confident throughout the mortgage process.

Thinking About Touring Homes Again?

Many buyers who stepped away from the market are beginning to reconsider homeownership opportunities as creative financing options become available.

A 1-0 buydown mortgage through the Opulence Advantage may help create the flexibility needed to make buying feel more manageable during year one.

If you’re thinking about buying, our team at Opulence Home Equity can help you review your options and determine whether a temporary buydown strategy fits your goals.

Verify my home purchase mortgage eligibility

Important Disclosures

• The interest rate reduction is temporary and applies only during the first year
• The loan is underwritten and approved based on the full note rate
• Monthly payments will increase after the first year
• Not all borrowers or transactions will qualify
• Seller concessions and credits are subject to loan program limits and approval
• This is not a commitment to lend. All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting guidelines, and program eligibility
• Terms, conditions, and availability may vary by state
• Future market conditions, including interest rates and refinancing opportunities, cannot be guaranteed