by: Chileshe Mwape
A fixed-rate mortgage is a mortgage on which the interest rate is set for the term of the loan. Your interest rate stays the same for the term of the mortgage or for a specified period of time. Most people use a fixed-rate mortgage. In fact, about 75 percent of all home mortgages have fixed rates. The main advantage of a fixed-rate mortgage is that you always know exactly how much your mortgage payment will be, and you can plan for it.
A Fixed Rate mortgage will offer you the security of knowing that your mortgage interest rate will not change during the term of your fixed rate. For example, a lender can offer a 30-year fixed loan to a homebuyer at a 6.5% interest rate. The loan is locked in to the 6.5% interest rate, even if the market interest rate rises to 8.0%. Conversely, if the market interest rate decreases to 4.5%, you will continue to pay the 6.5% interest rate. A Fixed-Rate Mortgage applies the same interest rate toward monthly loan payments for the life of the loan.
Features:
- Straightforward and easier to understand than Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs).
- More secure for the buyer and very popular with first-time home buyers.
- Ideal for anyone who likes to budget monthly expenses and plans to keep their home for several years.
- Since the risk to the lender is higher, fixed-rate mortgages generally have higher interest rates than Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs).
- Tend to have higher initial monthly payments compared to those of adjustable rate mortgages.
- Fixed-rate mortgages are less flexibility than adjustable rate mortgages.
With adjustable rate mortgages the interest rate is not fixed, but changes during the life of the loan in line with movements in an index rate. The advantage of an Adjustable Rate Mortgage is that you may be able to afford a more expensive home because your initial interest rate will be lower. In a fixed-rate mortgage, your interest rate stays the same for the term of the mortgage.
About The Author
Copyright © 2005.
Chileshe Mwape writes for The Secured Personal Loans Website at: http://www.secured-personal-loan.org.uk/ and he’s also a regular contributor to the Fixed-rate Mortgages blog at http://www.fixed-rate-mortgages.blogspot.com/
This article may be reprinted online as long as all the above links are active and clickable.
15 Ekim 2007 Pazartesi
Home Loans and Mortgages – Tips to Avoid Foreclosure
by: Charlie Essmeier
Today’s real estate market is a volatile one; prices are at record levels and Interest rates are favorable, but foreclosures are increasing. Wages haven’t kept up with home prices and some buyers who had to stretch to find a way to obtain a mortgage in the first place are having trouble making their payments. Usually, if a buyer cannot meet his or her mortgage obligation, the lender forecloses, taking the home and leaving the buyer without a place to live and a tarnished credit record. If you are having problems paying your mortgage, can you avoid this scenario?
Depending on your type of mortgage and your lender, you may have other options. Most lenders, wary of rising foreclosure rates, would rather work out some sort of solution than take your home. Lenders are in the business of lending money, not selling houses, and the process of foreclosure is a tedious one that most institutions would rather avoid. The first thing you should do if you find yourself with a problem making your payments is to call your lender and discuss the matter with them. The sooner you contact them, the more likely you are to work out a solution that’s agreeable to both of you.
Here are a few possible options for buyers who are having temporary cash flow problems:
# Your lender may agree to temporarily suspend payments until you are able to resume paying them. Alternatively, your lender may be willing to restructure or refinance your loan.
# If your loan is insured by the department Housing and Urban Development or the FHA, you may be eligible for a one-time payment to bring your mortgage payments up to date. For details, contact the HUD or FHA directly.
# You may be able to sell your home to pay off your loan. This is clearly not the first choice for many homeowners, but it is a better option than losing your home outright. Rising real estate prices during the last few years have left many homeowners with a lot of equity. You may be able to sell your home for more than you owe, which will relieve your debt and leave you with some cash left over.
# Your lender may be willing to simply take the home back, rather than force you out of it. You lose the house, but your credit rating will not likely suffer.
These are just a few choices that may be available to you. Your lender may offer other solutions, as well, so don’t’ hesitate to call them if you find yourself in financial trouble. It is far better to contact the lender and tell them of your problems than to have them call you and ask, “Where is our money?” Be forthright and tell them that you want to work something out, and you may find a solution that allows you to keep your home. It never hurts to ask.
About The Author
©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing.
Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including HomeEquityHelp.com, a site devoted to information regarding mortgages and home equity loans .
The Facts About Second Mortgages
ARM – Adjustable Rate Mortgages
What You Need To Know About MortgagesAdjustable vs Fixed Rate MortgagesHELOCs and Second Mortgages: Which One Should I Choose?Reverse Mortgages, Getting a Good Deal In 3 Easy Steps!Home Loans and Mortgages – Time to Consolidate Loans?Home Loans and Mortgages – One Third of Homes in U.S. OvervaluedHome Loans and Mortgages – Tips to Avoid ForeclosureUnderstanding Fixed-rate Mortgages
Today’s real estate market is a volatile one; prices are at record levels and Interest rates are favorable, but foreclosures are increasing. Wages haven’t kept up with home prices and some buyers who had to stretch to find a way to obtain a mortgage in the first place are having trouble making their payments. Usually, if a buyer cannot meet his or her mortgage obligation, the lender forecloses, taking the home and leaving the buyer without a place to live and a tarnished credit record. If you are having problems paying your mortgage, can you avoid this scenario?
Depending on your type of mortgage and your lender, you may have other options. Most lenders, wary of rising foreclosure rates, would rather work out some sort of solution than take your home. Lenders are in the business of lending money, not selling houses, and the process of foreclosure is a tedious one that most institutions would rather avoid. The first thing you should do if you find yourself with a problem making your payments is to call your lender and discuss the matter with them. The sooner you contact them, the more likely you are to work out a solution that’s agreeable to both of you.
Here are a few possible options for buyers who are having temporary cash flow problems:
# Your lender may agree to temporarily suspend payments until you are able to resume paying them. Alternatively, your lender may be willing to restructure or refinance your loan.
# If your loan is insured by the department Housing and Urban Development or the FHA, you may be eligible for a one-time payment to bring your mortgage payments up to date. For details, contact the HUD or FHA directly.
# You may be able to sell your home to pay off your loan. This is clearly not the first choice for many homeowners, but it is a better option than losing your home outright. Rising real estate prices during the last few years have left many homeowners with a lot of equity. You may be able to sell your home for more than you owe, which will relieve your debt and leave you with some cash left over.
# Your lender may be willing to simply take the home back, rather than force you out of it. You lose the house, but your credit rating will not likely suffer.
These are just a few choices that may be available to you. Your lender may offer other solutions, as well, so don’t’ hesitate to call them if you find yourself in financial trouble. It is far better to contact the lender and tell them of your problems than to have them call you and ask, “Where is our money?” Be forthright and tell them that you want to work something out, and you may find a solution that allows you to keep your home. It never hurts to ask.
About The Author
©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing.
Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including HomeEquityHelp.com, a site devoted to information regarding mortgages and home equity loans .
The Facts About Second Mortgages
ARM – Adjustable Rate Mortgages
What You Need To Know About MortgagesAdjustable vs Fixed Rate MortgagesHELOCs and Second Mortgages: Which One Should I Choose?Reverse Mortgages, Getting a Good Deal In 3 Easy Steps!Home Loans and Mortgages – Time to Consolidate Loans?Home Loans and Mortgages – One Third of Homes in U.S. OvervaluedHome Loans and Mortgages – Tips to Avoid ForeclosureUnderstanding Fixed-rate Mortgages
Home Loans and Mortgages – One Third of Homes in U.S. Overvalued
by: Charlie Essmeier
A new study by National City Corp. looked at home values for 299 American cities and compared them to where they “should be” based on a number of economic factors that determine home prices. The results were not encouraging; homes in nearly one third of America were judged to be “extremely overvalued.” That’s the part that’s getting headlines. A complete read of the report shows that things are even worse, as 100 cities in the U.S. have values judged to be too high by 18% or more. What does this mean?
It will come as no surprise to most people that the areas judged to be the most overvalued are in California, Florida, and New York and Massachusetts. Home prices in these states have increased at a rate that far exceeds the increases in salaries in these areas. When homes are priced in a way that is disproportionate to income, they become unaffordable. The mortgage industry has come up with a number of clever solutions to this problem by introducing an ever-increasing number of creative loan products. Interest only mortgages, where buyers only pay interest on the loan, rather than principal, for the first five years of the loan, and Option ARM mortgages, with “teaser” interest rates that can run as low as one percent, have allowed people to purchase homes they otherwise would not be able to afford. Neither one of these dangerous loan types contributes any money to the actual purchase price of the home, leaving their buyers in a precarious position should prices fail to keep rising. The nationwide increase in foreclosure rates suggests that the market is probably peaking.
What does this mean for the average buyer? Home prices in the top 100 markets in the U.S. are overpriced by anywhere between 20% and 70%. Prospective buyers should realize that any home they purchase now will probably not appreciate much more in the near future, and they should finance their purchases with this in mind. Buyers should make certain that they can actually afford the purchase price and that they can afford a mortgage that will reduce the principal of the loan over thirty years. A home purchase with any other terms would have to be considered a risk, since prices are more likely to fall or stay the same in the future than they are to rise. Use some common sense when making a purchase, and all will be well.
About The Author
©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including http://www.homeequityhelp.net, a site devoted to information regarding home equity lending.
A new study by National City Corp. looked at home values for 299 American cities and compared them to where they “should be” based on a number of economic factors that determine home prices. The results were not encouraging; homes in nearly one third of America were judged to be “extremely overvalued.” That’s the part that’s getting headlines. A complete read of the report shows that things are even worse, as 100 cities in the U.S. have values judged to be too high by 18% or more. What does this mean?
It will come as no surprise to most people that the areas judged to be the most overvalued are in California, Florida, and New York and Massachusetts. Home prices in these states have increased at a rate that far exceeds the increases in salaries in these areas. When homes are priced in a way that is disproportionate to income, they become unaffordable. The mortgage industry has come up with a number of clever solutions to this problem by introducing an ever-increasing number of creative loan products. Interest only mortgages, where buyers only pay interest on the loan, rather than principal, for the first five years of the loan, and Option ARM mortgages, with “teaser” interest rates that can run as low as one percent, have allowed people to purchase homes they otherwise would not be able to afford. Neither one of these dangerous loan types contributes any money to the actual purchase price of the home, leaving their buyers in a precarious position should prices fail to keep rising. The nationwide increase in foreclosure rates suggests that the market is probably peaking.
What does this mean for the average buyer? Home prices in the top 100 markets in the U.S. are overpriced by anywhere between 20% and 70%. Prospective buyers should realize that any home they purchase now will probably not appreciate much more in the near future, and they should finance their purchases with this in mind. Buyers should make certain that they can actually afford the purchase price and that they can afford a mortgage that will reduce the principal of the loan over thirty years. A home purchase with any other terms would have to be considered a risk, since prices are more likely to fall or stay the same in the future than they are to rise. Use some common sense when making a purchase, and all will be well.
About The Author
©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including http://www.homeequityhelp.net, a site devoted to information regarding home equity lending.
Home Loans and Mortgages – Time to Consolidate Loans?
by: Charlie Essmeier
Home equity loans and lines of credit are useful tools for homeowners. They allow the homeowner to borrow against the value of his or her home for all kinds of purposes – home improvement, debt consolidation, vacations, and more. The loans, backed by the value of the house itself, come with attractive interest rates and the added bonus of tax deductible interest. That interest, however, is often variable, adjusting up and down with changes in market conditions. At the moment, conditions are such that interest rates for adjustable rate loans are increasing while rates for fixed-rate loans are still fairly stable. This is probably a good time for homeowners with variable rate equity loans to consider consolidating their primary mortgage and home equity loan into a single entity.
The ideal candidate for such a consolidation would be a homeowner who has a variable rate home equity loan, rather than a line of credit or an equity loan at a fixed rate. A line of credit is sort of a revolving loan, with an amount that may be drawn, as needed, time and again, much like a credit card loan. A home equity loan would represent a fixed amount of money borrowed for a specific length of time. To consolidate a home equity loan and a primary mortgage, the home would have to be refinanced with a new mortgage issued for the combined amounts of both loans. There are costs associated with this, so homeowners should consider the following:
# Refinancing costs – It may cost several thousand dollars to combine two loans into one. A home appraisal will be required, along with paperwork fees, filing fees, and possible points paid at closing. A homeowner should make sure that he or she will remain in the home long enough to offset the additional costs of refinancing, otherwise the savings of consolidation are lost.
# Interest rate on the primary mortgage – If you have financed or refinanced your home during the last three years, your primary mortgage rate may already be lower than the rate you could get today. You don’t want to raise your overall interest rate just to consolidate the smaller amount of money from a home equity loan.
# The amount of money owed on the home equity loan – The larger the amount of money owed on the equity loan, the greater the benefit of consolidation. You wouldn’t want to refinance your home over an equity loan balance of $1000, but you might want to do so if the balance is $50,000.
Market conditions change regularly, but now is a good time for anyone with a variable rate home equity loan with a considerable balance to consider consolidating the equity loan and the primary mortgage into a single loan. If you aren’t sure if you can benefit from this, you may wish to consult with your lender.
About The Author
©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing.
Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including HomeEquityHelp.com, a site devoted to information regarding mortgages and home equity loans .
Home equity loans and lines of credit are useful tools for homeowners. They allow the homeowner to borrow against the value of his or her home for all kinds of purposes – home improvement, debt consolidation, vacations, and more. The loans, backed by the value of the house itself, come with attractive interest rates and the added bonus of tax deductible interest. That interest, however, is often variable, adjusting up and down with changes in market conditions. At the moment, conditions are such that interest rates for adjustable rate loans are increasing while rates for fixed-rate loans are still fairly stable. This is probably a good time for homeowners with variable rate equity loans to consider consolidating their primary mortgage and home equity loan into a single entity.
The ideal candidate for such a consolidation would be a homeowner who has a variable rate home equity loan, rather than a line of credit or an equity loan at a fixed rate. A line of credit is sort of a revolving loan, with an amount that may be drawn, as needed, time and again, much like a credit card loan. A home equity loan would represent a fixed amount of money borrowed for a specific length of time. To consolidate a home equity loan and a primary mortgage, the home would have to be refinanced with a new mortgage issued for the combined amounts of both loans. There are costs associated with this, so homeowners should consider the following:
# Refinancing costs – It may cost several thousand dollars to combine two loans into one. A home appraisal will be required, along with paperwork fees, filing fees, and possible points paid at closing. A homeowner should make sure that he or she will remain in the home long enough to offset the additional costs of refinancing, otherwise the savings of consolidation are lost.
# Interest rate on the primary mortgage – If you have financed or refinanced your home during the last three years, your primary mortgage rate may already be lower than the rate you could get today. You don’t want to raise your overall interest rate just to consolidate the smaller amount of money from a home equity loan.
# The amount of money owed on the home equity loan – The larger the amount of money owed on the equity loan, the greater the benefit of consolidation. You wouldn’t want to refinance your home over an equity loan balance of $1000, but you might want to do so if the balance is $50,000.
Market conditions change regularly, but now is a good time for anyone with a variable rate home equity loan with a considerable balance to consider consolidating the equity loan and the primary mortgage into a single loan. If you aren’t sure if you can benefit from this, you may wish to consult with your lender.
About The Author
©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing.
Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including HomeEquityHelp.com, a site devoted to information regarding mortgages and home equity loans .
Reverse Mortgages, Getting a Good Deal In 3 Easy Steps!
by: Vincent Dail
Reverse Mortgages, Most Common Features:
A reverse mortgage is a special type of loan that seniors can sometimes get to convert the equity in their homes to cash.
Many reverse mortgages offer special appeal to older adults because the loan advances, which are not taxable, generally do not affect Social Security or Medicare benefits.
Originally designed for retirees interested in keeping their homes but whose incomes aren't sufficient to support them, reverse mortgages have typically been used to help people on low fixed incomes make ends meet, make needed home repairs or pay for large medical bills that otherwise would be unaffordable.
Depending on the plan, reverse mortgages generally allow homeowners to retain title to their homes until they permanently move, sell their home, die, or reach the end of a pre-selected loan term.
Generally, a move is considered permanent when the homeowner has not lived in the home for 12 consecutive months. So, for example, a person could live in a nursing home or other medical facility for up to 12 months before the reverse mortgage would be due.
However, be aware that:
Reverse mortgages tend to be more costly than traditional loans because they are rising-debt loans.
The interest is added to the principal loan balance each month. So, the total amount of interest owed increases significantly with time as the interest compounds.
Reverse mortgages use up all or some of the equity in a home. That leaves fewer assets for the homeowner and his or her heirs.
Lenders generally charge origination fees and closing costs; some charge servicing fees. How much is up to the lender.
Interest on reverse mortgages is not deductible on income tax returns until the loan is paid off in part or whole.
Because homeowners retain title to their home, they remain responsible for taxes, insurance, fuel, maintenance, and other housing expenses.
Getting a Good Deal.
If you decide to consider a reverse mortgage, shop around and compare terms.
Look at the:
Annual percentage rate (APR), which is the yearly cost of credit. type of interest rate. Some plans provide for fixed rate interest; others involve adjustable rates that change over the loan term based on market conditions, number of points (fees paid to the lender for the loan) and other closing costs.
Some lenders may charge steep costs, which your lender may offer to finance. However, if you agree to this, you'll take out fewer proceeds from the loan or you'll borrow an extra amount, which will be added to your loan balance and you'll owe more interest at the end of the loan. Total Amount Loan Cost (TALC) rates.
The TALC rate is the projected annual average cost of a reverse mortgage, including all itemized costs.
It shows what the single all-inclusive interest rate would be if the lender could charge only interest and no fees or other costs. payment terms, including acceleration clauses.
They state when the lender can declare the entire loan due immediately. Under the federal Truth in Lending Act, lenders must disclose these terms and other information before you sign the loan.
On plans with adjustable rates, they must provide specific information about the variable rate feature.
On plans with credit lines, they must inform the applicant about appraisal or credit report charges, attorney's fees, or other costs associated with opening and using the account.
Be sure you understand these terms and costs.
About The Author
Vincent Dail
Debt elimination programs reviewed is run by Vincent Dail. Get the debt elimination tips you need, today! To receive your free special report visit: debt-elimination-program-reviews.com.
freearticles@debt-elimination-program-reviews.com
Reverse Mortgages, Most Common Features:
A reverse mortgage is a special type of loan that seniors can sometimes get to convert the equity in their homes to cash.
Many reverse mortgages offer special appeal to older adults because the loan advances, which are not taxable, generally do not affect Social Security or Medicare benefits.
Originally designed for retirees interested in keeping their homes but whose incomes aren't sufficient to support them, reverse mortgages have typically been used to help people on low fixed incomes make ends meet, make needed home repairs or pay for large medical bills that otherwise would be unaffordable.
Depending on the plan, reverse mortgages generally allow homeowners to retain title to their homes until they permanently move, sell their home, die, or reach the end of a pre-selected loan term.
Generally, a move is considered permanent when the homeowner has not lived in the home for 12 consecutive months. So, for example, a person could live in a nursing home or other medical facility for up to 12 months before the reverse mortgage would be due.
However, be aware that:
Reverse mortgages tend to be more costly than traditional loans because they are rising-debt loans.
The interest is added to the principal loan balance each month. So, the total amount of interest owed increases significantly with time as the interest compounds.
Reverse mortgages use up all or some of the equity in a home. That leaves fewer assets for the homeowner and his or her heirs.
Lenders generally charge origination fees and closing costs; some charge servicing fees. How much is up to the lender.
Interest on reverse mortgages is not deductible on income tax returns until the loan is paid off in part or whole.
Because homeowners retain title to their home, they remain responsible for taxes, insurance, fuel, maintenance, and other housing expenses.
Getting a Good Deal.
If you decide to consider a reverse mortgage, shop around and compare terms.
Look at the:
Annual percentage rate (APR), which is the yearly cost of credit. type of interest rate. Some plans provide for fixed rate interest; others involve adjustable rates that change over the loan term based on market conditions, number of points (fees paid to the lender for the loan) and other closing costs.
Some lenders may charge steep costs, which your lender may offer to finance. However, if you agree to this, you'll take out fewer proceeds from the loan or you'll borrow an extra amount, which will be added to your loan balance and you'll owe more interest at the end of the loan. Total Amount Loan Cost (TALC) rates.
The TALC rate is the projected annual average cost of a reverse mortgage, including all itemized costs.
It shows what the single all-inclusive interest rate would be if the lender could charge only interest and no fees or other costs. payment terms, including acceleration clauses.
They state when the lender can declare the entire loan due immediately. Under the federal Truth in Lending Act, lenders must disclose these terms and other information before you sign the loan.
On plans with adjustable rates, they must provide specific information about the variable rate feature.
On plans with credit lines, they must inform the applicant about appraisal or credit report charges, attorney's fees, or other costs associated with opening and using the account.
Be sure you understand these terms and costs.
About The Author
Vincent Dail
Debt elimination programs reviewed is run by Vincent Dail. Get the debt elimination tips you need, today! To receive your free special report visit: debt-elimination-program-reviews.com.
freearticles@debt-elimination-program-reviews.com
HELOCs and Second Mortgages: Which One Should I Choose?
by: Mark Lambie
Whether you need some extra cash to pay off some credit card debts, or to make some home improvements, home equity lines of credit or second mortgages can be great ways to get started.
Many people looking to borrow money often opt for home equity line of credit, or HELOCs, for short. They are a tempting first choice, because they can often give you the much needed cash at a low interest rate. Another advantage to taking out an HELOC, or a home equity line of credit, is that they may provide the borrower with a certain tax break, but you would need to verify this with your lender or accountant.
One drawback to HELOCs, however, is the fact that borrowers are expected to put their homes up as collateral. So, it is important that you think this decision through, before finalizing the loan, because you may be at risk of losing your home- and its equity- if you are late or cannot make your monthly payments. Finally, if you decide to sell your home, must HELOCs will require that you pay off the balance, before completing the sale.
You can also take out a second mortgage, if you need some cash. Like the HELOC, second mortgages usually pay out the loan in one sum, which makes it a convenient option. Second mortgages also have the added advantage of having set payments, at a fixed interest rate. Many companies will charge a lending fee, which will vary from company to company. These fees are usually based upon a percentage of the loan and are frequently referred to as 'points.' If one fee seems too high, don't be afraid to shop around to find one which is better suited to your budget.
Remember, however, that adding a second mortgage to your home carries with it certain risks. Like with home equity lines of credit, you could lose your home, if you fall behind in the payments.
About The Author
Mark Lambie is the founder of http://www.the-loan-house.com a website that allows consumers to quickly and easily get mortgage information.
Whether you need some extra cash to pay off some credit card debts, or to make some home improvements, home equity lines of credit or second mortgages can be great ways to get started.
Many people looking to borrow money often opt for home equity line of credit, or HELOCs, for short. They are a tempting first choice, because they can often give you the much needed cash at a low interest rate. Another advantage to taking out an HELOC, or a home equity line of credit, is that they may provide the borrower with a certain tax break, but you would need to verify this with your lender or accountant.
One drawback to HELOCs, however, is the fact that borrowers are expected to put their homes up as collateral. So, it is important that you think this decision through, before finalizing the loan, because you may be at risk of losing your home- and its equity- if you are late or cannot make your monthly payments. Finally, if you decide to sell your home, must HELOCs will require that you pay off the balance, before completing the sale.
You can also take out a second mortgage, if you need some cash. Like the HELOC, second mortgages usually pay out the loan in one sum, which makes it a convenient option. Second mortgages also have the added advantage of having set payments, at a fixed interest rate. Many companies will charge a lending fee, which will vary from company to company. These fees are usually based upon a percentage of the loan and are frequently referred to as 'points.' If one fee seems too high, don't be afraid to shop around to find one which is better suited to your budget.
Remember, however, that adding a second mortgage to your home carries with it certain risks. Like with home equity lines of credit, you could lose your home, if you fall behind in the payments.
About The Author
Mark Lambie is the founder of http://www.the-loan-house.com a website that allows consumers to quickly and easily get mortgage information.
Adjustable vs Fixed Rate Mortgages
by: Max Hunter
Mortgage rates can either be fixed for the duration of your loan or can be adjustable. An adjustable rate mortgage is a loan that is set up with an interest rate that changes based on pre-determined criteria, primarily tied to the federal interest rate. If the interest rates are up, then your interest rate on your loan will be higher, if the interest rates are low than the interest rate on your loan will go down.
Adjustable rate mortgages (ARM) are generally fixed interest rates for a period of time and then become adjustable. Generally speaking the introductory interest rate for an ARM loan will be lower than a fixed rate mortgage. This is done in order to lower initial payments and allow people to take out larger mortgages, or give them smaller payments for the introductory period. This is attractive to people who may know that their income will be increasing over that period of time.
Whether or not to choose an ARM or a fixed rate mortgage has been debated for as long as there have been ARMs. Though people feel strongly in both camps, simple mathematics can assist you in determining which mortgage is best for you and your personality. Your personality? Yes. Some people are not comfortable with any uncertainty in their lives. The idea of having an uncertain mortgage payment in the future may cause them more stress than the money they are saving is worth. Therefore, factor your own comfort level into the equation.
Generally speaking, ARMs are 2, 3 or 5 years, though they can be longer or shorter. At the end of that period your interest rate will become variable unless you sell your home or refinance. If you think that the likelihood of your selling or refinancing within the period of the ARM is strong, than the lower interest rates of the ARM loan will be of great benefit to you. If you think it is unlikely that you will sell or refinance within that period, then you may not benefit from an ARM.
Bob and Robyn are a young married couple just starting out. Bob is in advertising sales and Robyn is a teacher. Bob is fairly confident that his income will continue to increase over the next several years as he works his way up to becoming an account executive. Robyn's income is more predictable and is on an upward trend. Being a young couple they do not have the finances for large mortgage payments.
Bob and Robyn are presented with two mortgage proposals for their $150,000 mortgage. Proposal one is a 30-year fixed rate mortgage at 6% and the other is a 5-year ARM at an introductory rate of 5.25%. The fixed rate mortgage payments would be $899.33 per month, not including taxes. The ARM would have a 5-year period where payments would be $828.31 per month, not including taxes. Bob knows that even if he can afford the extra $70.00 per month for the fixed rate mortgage, that $70 per month may be better spent knocking down principle during the ARM period. He is further confident that as his salary increases, he is likely to upgrade his home within five years or refinance to make home improvements. Bob and Robyn took the ARM loan.
John and Catrina are a married couple with three grown children. John has been employed at the same company for 18 years and Catrina has been with her company for 12 years. They have consistent and stable income. Neither John nor Catrina expect any substantial increases in their salaries. After their last child moved out of the home they decided to downsize and buy a smaller home. They have a substantial down payment and will only be taking a mortgage of $100,000 on their new home. John and Catrina are presented with the same loan options as Bob and Robyn were. John and Catrina, however, know that it is unlikely they will sell or refinance in the next five years. They are comfortable with the payment schedule and, therefore, prefer the certainty of the fixed rate mortgage.
There are countless websites that offer mortgage calculators to determine your mortgage payment. For your convenience we offer one on our site (if you are not going to have one on your site, we can remove this, though I think it'd be good to have one on your site). You can review the different payment schedules based on the interest rates quoted for the fixed-rate and the ARM. Once you know the different payment amounts you will be able to determine which loan makes the most sense for you and your unique circumstances.
Your mortgage professional should also be able to assist you in reviewing the options and making the best decision for you. The more open and honest you are with your mortgage professional the more helpful they will be. It is only if they are armed with full and honest information that they will be able to make recommendations to you.
About The Author
Max Hunter is the author of many credit related articles. If you are looking for help with Home Loans or any other type of credit issue please visit us at http://www.creditcardunlimited.com.
Mortgage rates can either be fixed for the duration of your loan or can be adjustable. An adjustable rate mortgage is a loan that is set up with an interest rate that changes based on pre-determined criteria, primarily tied to the federal interest rate. If the interest rates are up, then your interest rate on your loan will be higher, if the interest rates are low than the interest rate on your loan will go down.
Adjustable rate mortgages (ARM) are generally fixed interest rates for a period of time and then become adjustable. Generally speaking the introductory interest rate for an ARM loan will be lower than a fixed rate mortgage. This is done in order to lower initial payments and allow people to take out larger mortgages, or give them smaller payments for the introductory period. This is attractive to people who may know that their income will be increasing over that period of time.
Whether or not to choose an ARM or a fixed rate mortgage has been debated for as long as there have been ARMs. Though people feel strongly in both camps, simple mathematics can assist you in determining which mortgage is best for you and your personality. Your personality? Yes. Some people are not comfortable with any uncertainty in their lives. The idea of having an uncertain mortgage payment in the future may cause them more stress than the money they are saving is worth. Therefore, factor your own comfort level into the equation.
Generally speaking, ARMs are 2, 3 or 5 years, though they can be longer or shorter. At the end of that period your interest rate will become variable unless you sell your home or refinance. If you think that the likelihood of your selling or refinancing within the period of the ARM is strong, than the lower interest rates of the ARM loan will be of great benefit to you. If you think it is unlikely that you will sell or refinance within that period, then you may not benefit from an ARM.
Bob and Robyn are a young married couple just starting out. Bob is in advertising sales and Robyn is a teacher. Bob is fairly confident that his income will continue to increase over the next several years as he works his way up to becoming an account executive. Robyn's income is more predictable and is on an upward trend. Being a young couple they do not have the finances for large mortgage payments.
Bob and Robyn are presented with two mortgage proposals for their $150,000 mortgage. Proposal one is a 30-year fixed rate mortgage at 6% and the other is a 5-year ARM at an introductory rate of 5.25%. The fixed rate mortgage payments would be $899.33 per month, not including taxes. The ARM would have a 5-year period where payments would be $828.31 per month, not including taxes. Bob knows that even if he can afford the extra $70.00 per month for the fixed rate mortgage, that $70 per month may be better spent knocking down principle during the ARM period. He is further confident that as his salary increases, he is likely to upgrade his home within five years or refinance to make home improvements. Bob and Robyn took the ARM loan.
John and Catrina are a married couple with three grown children. John has been employed at the same company for 18 years and Catrina has been with her company for 12 years. They have consistent and stable income. Neither John nor Catrina expect any substantial increases in their salaries. After their last child moved out of the home they decided to downsize and buy a smaller home. They have a substantial down payment and will only be taking a mortgage of $100,000 on their new home. John and Catrina are presented with the same loan options as Bob and Robyn were. John and Catrina, however, know that it is unlikely they will sell or refinance in the next five years. They are comfortable with the payment schedule and, therefore, prefer the certainty of the fixed rate mortgage.
There are countless websites that offer mortgage calculators to determine your mortgage payment. For your convenience we offer one on our site (if you are not going to have one on your site, we can remove this, though I think it'd be good to have one on your site). You can review the different payment schedules based on the interest rates quoted for the fixed-rate and the ARM. Once you know the different payment amounts you will be able to determine which loan makes the most sense for you and your unique circumstances.
Your mortgage professional should also be able to assist you in reviewing the options and making the best decision for you. The more open and honest you are with your mortgage professional the more helpful they will be. It is only if they are armed with full and honest information that they will be able to make recommendations to you.
About The Author
Max Hunter is the author of many credit related articles. If you are looking for help with Home Loans or any other type of credit issue please visit us at http://www.creditcardunlimited.com.
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