What percent of your mortgage is paid down annually?

[Samuel Carmichael]

I heard on the Andrew Hines Real Estate Podcast that it was 3%. 

I just looked at my fourplex with a loan of $325,000, started the year at $329,500 so about $500 a month. 

But does anyone know what is standard loan paydown percentage annually?  

I hear it may be different from years 1-5, then from later in the amortization schedule. 

[Theresa Harris]

As others said it depends on where you are in the mortgage cycle.  This is why it is also important for people who keep refinancing to pull out money.  You have to look at the big picture and decide what works best for you.