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.
MORE RESOURCES updated Sat. July / 27 / 2024 Mortgage and refinance rates today, July 27, 2024: Fixed rates decrease, adjustable rates increase Yahoo Finance Mortgage and refinance rates today, July 26, 2024: Rates are well below their 52-week averages Yahoo Finance Mortgage and refinance rates today, July 24, 2024: Rates have staggered since last week Yahoo Finance Joe and Jill Biden refinanced their Delaware home 20 times — raking in $4.2M from the $350K property New York Post Average Mortgage Interest Rates: Mortgage Rates by Credit Score, Year, and Loan Type Business Insider Mortgage Recasting: What It Is And How It Works Bankrate.com How to Refinance Your Mortgage NerdWallet Current Mortgage Trends: Are Mortgage Rates Going Down? Business Insider 15-Year Mortgage Refinance Rates: Compare Current Rates Business Insider Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders of July 2024 Business Insider Mortgage Interest Rates Today, July 26, 2024 | Rates Steady After Falling Earlier This Month Business Insider Jumbo Loan: Definition, Rates, and How to Qualify Business Insider How Much Does It Cost to Refinance? Average Closing Costs by State Business Insider How To Refinance An Underwater Mortgage Bankrate.com Mortgage Interest Rates Today, July 24, 2024 | Rates Hold Steady Business Insider FHA Refinance Rates: See if You Could Lower Your Rate Business Insider Best Refinance Lenders of July 2024: Refinance Your Mortgage The Motley Fool Today's Mortgage Rates by State - July 24, 2024 Investopedia Understanding 30-Year Mortgage Rates: A Comprehensive Guide Business Insider Current VA Refinance Rates: See if Refinancing Is Worth It Right Now Business Insider What current mortgage refinance rates mean for your situation CNN Underscored Mortgage refinance demand drops further, despite homeowners sitting on $17 trillion in equity - CNBC Refinance Rates Today: Compare Mortgage Refinance Offers Business Insider Mortgage Points: What Are They And How Do They Work? Bankrate.com Today's Mortgage Rates by State - July 23, 2024 Investopedia Is it Time to Refinance Your Mortgage? That Depends on When You Closed The Wall Street Journal Current Home Equity Loan Rates: Your Guide to the Best Rates Business Insider Refinance applications increase despite overall drop in mortgage activity Mortgage Professional Mortgage refinance demand jumps to two-year high Morning Brew Real Estate Housing Market 2024: Will Home Prices Drop? Business Insider Assumable Mortgages 2024: How They Work, Benefits, and Insights Business Insider Should You Refinance Your Mortgage In 2024? Bankrate.com Mortgage Interest Rates Today, July 21, 2024 | Rates Are Down This Month. Will They Continue to Drop? Business Insider How To Get The Best Refinance Rate Bankrate.com Mortgage Rate History: 1970s To 2024 Bankrate.com MBA: Mortgage Applications Decreased in Weekly Survey Calculated Risk Do I Need Money Down To Refinance My Mortgage? Bankrate.com 30-Year Mortgage Refinance Rates Business Insider The Ascent's Complete Guide to Mortgages The Motley Fool Types of Mortgage Refinance Options Bankrate.com Cash-Out Refinancing: What It Is, How It Works Bankrate.com Cash-Out Refinance For Home Improvements Bankrate.com Should You Refinance Halfway Through Your Mortgage? Bankrate.com Housing Market Predictions 2024: What Homebuyers Should Know Business Insider What Credit Score Do You Need To Refinance? Bankrate.com Loan Modification Vs. Refinance Bankrate.com Are Cash-Out Refinance Rates Higher? Bankrate.com Best Student Loan Refinance Companies of 2024 Business Insider Refinance Requirements: What You Need to Refinance Your Home in 2024 The Mortgage Reports 15-year refinance rates: Pros, cons and current lenders offers CNN Underscored
|