11/02/2026
Fun trend, I’ll give it that. A 30 year loan turning into a 15 year loan overnight? Not quite.
Here’s the honest version. Extra principal payments can take real time off a mortgage and cut the interest you pay along the way. It’s a legit strategy.
How far it goes depends on your loan amount, your rate and how steady you stay with it. Some people add 1 extra payment a year. Others round up every month, all 12 of them.
The part most new homeowners in the Central Valley skip is marking the payment ‘principal’ only. Leave it unmarked and your servicer may hold it for next month instead of putting it on the balance.
Before you start, check your loan for a prepayment penalty. Keep your emergency fund solid too, because money you put into the house is hard to pull back out.
Bought or refinanced into a 30 year loan in California? DM me your loan amount, rate, balance, close date and term. I’ll show you how many years extra principal could take off if you want to pay off your mortgage early. I might even use your scenario (no names) in my next video.
Depending on your current rate and financial goals, it may make sense to put your extra money somewhere else… like your 401k, IRA, stock, bonds, college fund for your kids, etc. I work very closely with some great financial planners that can help you determine how to make your money work harder for you so you don’t have to work so hard!
P.S. Most of my clients start by sending me a message right here, so don’t be shy!
