How to Compare Fixed Rate Mortgages and Adjustable Rate MortgagesThere are many types of mortgages, and the more you know about them before you start, the better. To compare one Adjustable Rate Mortgage with another or with a fixed-rate mortgage, you need to know about indexes, margins, discounts, caps, negative amortization, and convertibility. You need to consider the maximum amount your monthly payment could increase. Most important, you need to compare what might happen to your mortgage costs with your future ability to pay. FIXED RATE MORTGAGES In a fixed-rate mortgage, your interest rate stays the same for the term of the mortgage. 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. Benefits and Advantages: - Low rates for the full term of your mortgage - Security of a fixed monthly payment for the life of you loan, regardless of fluctuations in interest rates - More stability may give you peace-of-mind Disadvantages - Higher initial monthly payments compared to those of adjustable rate mortgages - Less flexibility ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGE (ARM). With this kind of mortgage, your interest rate and monthly payments usually start lower than a fixed-rate mortgage. But your rate and payment can change either up or down, as often as once or twice a year. The adjustment is tied to a financial index. Throughout the life of that loan, the principal and interest payment will adjust periodically based on fluctuations in the interest rate. Benefits and advantages: - Lower Initial payments due to lower beginning interest rate - Ability to qualify for a higher loan amount due to lower initial interest rates - Lower interest payments if the interest rate drops over time - Interest rate caps limit the maximum interest payment allowed for the loan Disadvantages - Your future monthly payment is uncertain. - Initial lower interest rate and monthly payments are temporary and apply to the first adjustment period. Usually, the interest rate will rise after the initial adjustment period. - Higher interest payments if the interest rate rises over time SUMMARY 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. 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. A Fixed-Rate Mortgage applies the same interest rate toward monthly loan payments for the life of the loan. Fixed-rate mortgages are more straightforward and easier to understand than ARMs. They are more secure for the buyer and they are very popular with first-time home buyers. Since the risk to the lender is higher, fixed-rate mortgages generally have higher interest rates than ARMs. A fixed rate mortgage is ideal for anyone who likes to budget monthly expenses and plans to keep their home for several years. A more detailed version of this article including a glossary of terms is available at: http://www.us-banks.org/archives/1970 [Disclaimer: This article is provided for information purposes only. No warranty is either expressed or implied. Under no circumstance will the author be liable for any loss or damage caused by a user's reliance on this information.] Copyright © 2005. Chileshe Mwape writes for The US Banks Guide: http://www.us-banks.org/. Find informative articles and news stories about banking and finance. This article may be reprinted as long as all the above links are active and clickable.
MORE RESOURCES updated Tue. March / 19 / 2024 30-Year Mortgage Rates Move Higher for a Third Day Investopedia Pros And Cons Of Refinancing A Car Bankrate.com How to Refinance Your Mortgage NerdWallet Current Student Loan Interest Rates in March 2024 Business Insider Will Interest Rates Go Down in April 2024? | Mortgage Rates Forecast The Mortgage Reports When to Consider Refinancing Your Mortgage Business Insider Mortgage Relief and Mortgage Assistance Programs [2024 ] The Mortgage Reports Mortgage Rates This Week NerdWallet Mortgage Interest Rates Today, March 16, 2024 | Rates Tick up Business Insider Mortgage Interest Rates Today, March 14, 2024 | Rates Are Still on Track to Go Down This Year Business Insider Mortgage Interest Rates Today, March 17, 2024 | Sticky Inflation is Keeping Rates Up Business Insider Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders of March 2024 Business Insider Mortgage Interest Rates Today, March 13, 2024 | Rates Are Back Down Following Yesterday's CPI Report Business Insider Mortgage Rates Chart | Historical and Current Rate Trends The Mortgage Reports What Is An Interest-Only Mortgage? Bankrate.com How Soon Can You Refinance a Mortgage? NerdWallet Save up to $1,500 on a Mortgage Refinance With the New FHFA Program Business Insider Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders In 2024 Bankrate.com Mortgage Interest Rates Today, March 15, 2024 | Rates Drop for Second Week in a Row Business Insider Can You Refinance With No Income Verification in 2024? The Mortgage Reports Best Refinance Lenders of March 2024: Refinance Your Mortgage The Motley Fool Rates drop - Mortgage rates for March 11th, 2024 Bankrate.com Current mortgage refinance rates CNN Underscored When to Refinance Mortgage: Is it Time? - Buy Side from WSJ The Wall Street Journal Mortgage Rates Dip Below 7%. Recent Homeowners Race To Refinance. Realtor.com News Refinance Requirements: What You Need to Refinance Your Home in 2024 The Mortgage Reports Best Student Loan Refinance Companies In March 2024 The College Investor Cash-Out Refinancing: How It Works, When To Do It Bankrate.com Conventional Refinance Rates and Guidelines for 2024 The Mortgage Reports Current 15-year refinance rates — and lenders that offer them CNN Underscored How Soon Can You Refinance a Mortgage Loan? 2024 Rules The Mortgage Reports The best mortgage lenders for refinancing in March 2024 CNN Underscored How To Get Equity Out Of A Paid-Off House Bankrate.com How To Refinance An Underwater Mortgage Bankrate.com Mortgage Rate Forecast February 2024 Bankrate.com Will Mortgage Rates Go Down in 2024? What Homebuyers Should Expect Business Insider Office of Research blog: A look at cash-out refinance mortgages and their borrowers between 2013 to 2023 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau What Credit Score Do I Need To Refinance? Bankrate.com 30-year refinance rates: What to know CNN Underscored Should I Refinance My Mortgage Now? When to Refinance As Rates Drop Business Insider Mortgage Applications Increase By 7.1% Amid Rate Drop, Refinance Activity Spikes National Mortgage Professional CFPB Releases Study of Refinance Mortgage Loans Between 2013 and 2023 Consumer Finance Monitor Mortgage Interest Rates Today, March 12, 2024 | Rates Are Down, and They May Drop Further in the Coming Months Business Insider Should You Refinance Halfway Through Your Mortgage? Bankrate.com How To Get The Best Refinance Rate Bankrate.com The Sales Pitch for an 8% Mortgage: Buy Now, Refinance Later—for Free The Wall Street Journal Mortgage Interest Rates Today, March 11, 2024 | Rates Are Down. But High Inflation Could Send Them Back Up. Business Insider The Great Pandemic Mortgage Refinance Boom - Liberty Street Economics Liberty Street Economics -
|