Mortgage Payment Frequency: What It Means and Why It Matters
When you’re setting up your mortgage, one of the key decisions you’ll make is how often you want to make your payments. While it might seem like a small detail, your payment frequency can have a big impact on your budgeting, interest costs, and how quickly you pay off your mortgage.
At Mortgage Sisters West, we believe in giving you the tools to make smart, confident choices—so let’s break down your options and what they really mean.
💡 Why Does Payment Frequency Matter?
Choosing the right payment schedule helps ensure your mortgage aligns with your income cycle, making it easier to manage and track. Plus, if you choose an accelerated payment schedule, you could potentially shave years off your mortgage and save thousands in interest.
Some lenders even allow you to request your first payment date, which can be helpful for syncing up with your paydays or settling into a new routine. If that’s something you’re interested in, let us know—we’re happy to help coordinate that for you.
📅 Payment Frequency Options (Non-Accelerated)
These standard options are structured to match regular income patterns, but without making extra payments toward your principal.
1. Monthly
12 payments per year
Paid once per month on a fixed date (e.g., the 1st)
Easiest to track for many households
2. Semi-Monthly
24 payments per year
Paid twice per month (e.g., the 1st and 15th)
Monthly payment is split evenly into two parts
3. Biweekly (Non-Accelerated)
26 payments per year
Paid every other week on a chosen weekday
Calculated as: (Monthly payment × 12) ÷ 26
4. Weekly (Non-Accelerated)
52 payments per year
Paid every week on a selected day (e.g., every Friday)
Calculated as: (Monthly payment × 12) ÷ 52
🚀 Accelerated Payment Options
Want to pay off your mortgage faster and pay less interest? That’s where accelerated options come in. These schedules are slightly more aggressive—but in a good way. You’ll end up making the equivalent of one extra monthly payment per year, with the extra funds going straight toward your principal.
This reduces your amortization period (the total life of the loan), and can save you thousands over time.
1. Accelerated Biweekly
26 payments per year
Each payment = Monthly payment ÷ 2
Saves time and reduces interest significantly
2. Accelerated Weekly
52 payments per year
Each payment = Monthly payment ÷ 4
Same benefits as biweekly, with smaller, more frequent payments
📊 Real Impact: How Much Can You Save?
Let’s say you have a standard 25-year mortgage. By simply choosing accelerated biweekly payments instead of monthly, you could shorten your mortgage term by 3–4 years and save tens of thousands in interest, depending on your loan amount and interest rate.
That’s a big win for a small change!
✅ What’s Right for You?
The best payment frequency is the one that fits your income cycle and financial comfort. Whether you want smaller, more frequent payments or a strategy to become mortgage-free sooner, we can help you choose the option that aligns with your goals.
Ready to Chat?
Have questions or want to see how different payment frequencies could affect your mortgage specifically? We’d love to help. Reach out today, and we’ll walk you through the numbers and help you make the best decision for your financial future.
