San Jose leads the most interest-burdened metros, with buyers paying $1.7M in lifetime mortgage interest on a typical financed purchase under current conditions.
The $1.7M figure highlights why loan structure, down payment strategy, and rate planning matter for San Jose buyers today in this market.
A shorter 15-yr mortgage can reduce lifetime interest versus a 30-yr loan, but it also requires a higher monthly payment for San Jose buyers.
Choosing a minimum low-down-payment option instead of 20% down can add lifetime interest, making upfront cash planning especially important in San Jose.
If rates climbed by one percentage point, San Jose buyers would face added lifetime interest, reinforcing value of careful mortgage scenario planning.