Amortization Schedule for a Typical Maine Home Loan
The amortization formula for a fixed-rate loan is:
M = P × [r(1+r)^n] / [(1+r)^n − 1]
M = monthly payment | P = principal | r = monthly rate (annual ÷ 12) | n = total payments
For Maine's median home scenario — $342,900 loan at 6.51%:
- Monthly rate r = 6.51% ÷ 12 = 0.5425%
- Monthly payment M = $2,170
- Month 1 interest: $1,860 | Month 1 principal: $310
- After 5 years (60 payments): balance still $321,002
- After 15 years (180 payments): balance still $248,791 (73% of original)
- Total interest over 30 years: $438,300
The key insight: after paying $2,170/month for 15 years — halfway through the loan — you still owe $248,791. This is because early payments are almost entirely interest. Paying just $200 extra per month would save approximately $105,750 in interest and shorten the loan by roughly 6.3 years.