![]() |
Adjustable Rate Mortgages - Understand the Benefits Compared to a Fixed Rate MortgageAdjustable rate mortgages can be very tempting to home buyers, yet they carry a great deal of uncertainty. Fixed rate mortgages offer rate and payment security, but they are more expensive. It is important to weigh the pros and cons of ARMs and fixed rate mortgages before you decide which is right for you. There are many benefits with an adjustable rate mortgage. One benefit is that they usually feature lower rates and payments early on in the loan term. Lenders can use the lower payment when qualifying borrowers, therefore borrowers can purchase larger homes than they could otherwise afford. ARM's allow borrowers to take advantage of falling rates without refinancing. Instead of having to pay closing costs and fees, borrowers can just sit back and watch their rates fall without worrying about these extra costs. Adjustable rate mortgages can help borrowers save and invest more money. Someone who has a payment that is say $200 less with an ARM than with a fixed-rate mortgage for a couple of years can save that money and earn more off it in a higher yielding investment. This type of mortgage also offers a cheap way for borrowers who don't plan on living in one place very long to buy a house. There are also a few drawbacks with Adjustable rate mortgages. One drawback is that rates and payments can rise significantly over the loan period. For instance, a 6% ARM can end up at 11% in just three years if rates rise in the overall economy. A borrower's initial low rate will adjust to a level higher than the going fixed rate level in almost every case because ARMs have initial fixed rates that are set artificially low. The first adjustment can be hard hitting because some annual caps don't apply to the initial change. Someone with an annual cap of 2% and a lifetime cap of 6% could potentially see the rate shoot from 6% to 12% in 12 months after closing rates in the economy skyrocket. Adjustable rate mortgages can be difficult to understand. Lenders have much more flexibility when determining margins, caps, adjustment indices and other things, so new borrowers can easily get confused or trapped by less than honest mortgage companies. One last drawback to adjustable rate mortgages is that on certain mortgages called negative amortization loans, borrowers can end up owing more money than they did at closing. This is because the payments on these loans are set so low they only cover part of the interest due. Any additional amount will get added into the principal balance. As you can see there are many pros and cons to adjustable-rate mortgages. You must carefully consider your options before choosing a mortgage that is right for you. Stay informed of all of your mortgage options. To view our list of most recommended mortgage lenders, visit this page: Recommended Home Mortgage Lenders Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide. It is an informational loan website, with informative articles and the latest finance news.
Today's Mortgage, Refinance Rates: May 28, 2023 | Rates Spiked Last Week and Remain High Business Insider The Great Pandemic Mortgage Refinance Boom - Liberty Street ... Liberty Street Economics - Compare Today’s Refinance Rates | U.S. U.S News & World Report Money What is mortgage refinancing and how does it work? Yahoo Finance Today's Mortgage, Refinance Rates: May 21, 2023 | Rates are Flat for now, but Should Drop Later This Year Business Insider How to get a low-cost mortgage refinance Yahoo Finance How to Refinance a Second Home in 2023 Investopedia What Credit Score Is Needed To Refinance a House | Chase Chase News & Stories Total Household Debt Reaches $17.05 trillion in Q1 2023; Mortgage ... Federal Reserve Bank of New York Monthly Mortgage Payments Could Increase Rapidly if the U.S. ... The Motley Fool Refinancing your mortgage could save you thousands — here are some of the best refinance lenders CNBC How To Remove PMI: A Complete Guide Zing! Blog by Quicken Loans CFPB: Choosing a Cheaper Mortgage Lender Could Save You ... The Truth About Mortgage How does mortgage refinancing work? CBS News Should I Refinance My Mortgage? - Buy Side from WSJ The Wall Street Journal Here’s how sharply mortgage refinancing has dropped off Yahoo Finance CFPB Launches Effort to Spur New Opportunities for Homeowners ... Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Today’s 30-year mortgage refinance rates hit lowest levels in 15 days | Oct. 28, 2022 - Fox Business Analysis | It Will Pay to Wait to Refinance Your UK Mortgage The Washington Post Small Business Loan Refinance Bankrate.com Why Older People Can’t Get New Mortgages The New York Times VA Refinance Rates - Current VA Loan Refinance Rates Today Business Insider 11 Home Refinance Loans For Bad Credit (May 2023) BadCredit.org Debt-Ceiling Deal Is Close. Recession And Stock-Market Drop May ... Investor's Business Daily Current 15-Year Refinance Rates Today Business Insider Refinance Closing: An Overview Zing! Blog by Quicken Loans 7 Refinancing Programs for Seniors Total Mortgage Compare Current 30-Year Refinance Rates Business Insider Heloc vs. Cash Out Refinance Credible
|