How much money does a point represent?

Answer 1

It is not a fixed dollar amount, assuming you are referring to points quoted on a mortgage loan. A point refers to a percentage of the loan amount. Example. If you are borrowing $100,000 and you want a below market rate you may pay an extra point up front to have the 30 year fixed interest rate reduced by an eighth of a point. The cost would be $100,000 X 1% (or .01) = $1000. Or, mortgage companies often charge a one point origination fee, which is how they are paid for arranging the loan and paying the mortgage loan officer. It is paid at closing and would be $1000 in the previous example. If you are offered a loan with zero points origination, chances are the lender is making it up in the form of a higher interest rate.