: If you have surplus funds after your down payment and closing costs, "buying" a lower monthly payment can improve your long-term cash flow. When It Is Not Worth It

: Paying off the mortgage early (e.g., through aggressive extra payments) reduces the total interest you would have saved, making the initial points less valuable.

To determine if a buy-down is right for you, follow these steps: : Calculate 1% of your loan amount per point.