What is the PayOption ARM?Imagine an adjustable rate mortgage that allows you to pick one of four payment options on your monthly mortgage bill. It is an ARM on which the interest rate adjusts monthly and the payment adjusts annually, with borrowers offered options on how large a payment they will make. The options include interest-only, and a "minimum" payment that may be less than the interest-only payment. The minimum payment option results in a growing loan balance, termed "negative amortization". How Will I Know an Option ARM When I See One? Ask the loan officer if the mortgage has more than oe payment option. Does the rate adjusts monthly, and if negative amortization is allowed. If the answer to both questions is "yes", you almost certainly have an Option ARM. Their names are all over the map and include "1 Month Option Arm", "12 MTA Pay Option ARM," "Pick a Payment Loan", "1-Month MTA", "Cash Flow Option Loan", and "Pay Option ARM". What Are the Advantages of an Option ARM? Their main selling point is the low minimum payment in year 1. It is calculated at the interest rate in month 1, which can be as low as 1%, and it rises by only 7.5 % a year for some years. The low initial payment allows borrowers to buy a more expensive home than they would be able to afford. Other reasons are to use the monthly payment savings for other purposes, like: paying down the principle, and amortizing credit card debt. Be aware that they seldom explain the risks. What's Are the Risks of an Option ARM? For those electing the minimum payment option, the major risk is "payment shock" - a sudden and sharp increase in the payment for which they are not prepared. The rule that the minimum payment can rise by no more than 7.5% a year has two exceptions. The first is that every 5 or 10 years the payment must be "recast" to become fully-amortizing. It is raised to the amount that will pay off the loan within the remaining term at the then current interest rate - regardless of how large an increase in payment is required. The second exception is that the loan balance cannot exceed a negative amortization maximum, which can range from 110% to 125% of the original loan balance. If the balance hits the negative amortization maximum, which can happen before 5 years have elapsed if interest rates have gone up, the payment is immediately raised to the fully amortizing level. Either the recast provision or the negative amortization cap can result in serious payment shock. That is why I tell my clients that unless you have a financial plan for paying the minimum payment, always pay the Interest Only Option or higher. How Do I Protect Myself Against The Risks? First of all, if you can't maintain financial discipline do not engage in this type of loan. You will be tempted to pay the minimum payment from day one. When it recasts, you will be stuck between a rock and a hard place. If you have sound financial principles, and can adhere to them, go for it. Make sure your loan officer discloses the margin. The lower the margin, the lower your cost and your vulnerability to payment shock. You can also minimize the risk by taking the highest initial payment you can afford. The higher your initial payment, the smaller the potential payment shock down the road. Terell Jones, Sr. Loan Officer, Group Manager Terell Jones has been a successful mortgage professional for several years. He leads a team of loan officers with 1st American Mortgage, Inc. in McLean, Virginia.
MORE RESOURCES updated Thu. April / 25 / 2024 Only Half Of Black Seniors Approved For Home Repair Or Refinance Loans To Age In Place Block Club Chicago Mortgage Interest Rates Today, April 24, 2024 | Rates Still Slated to Go Down This Year Business Insider 10-year refinance rates: What to know about the current market CNN Underscored Should You Refinance Halfway Through Your Mortgage? Bankrate.com How to Refinance Your Mortgage NerdWallet MBA: Mortgage Applications Decreased in Weekly Survey Calculated Risk 30-Year Mortgage Refinance Rates Business Insider 15-Year Mortgage Refinance Rates: Compare Current Rates Business Insider Mortgage Interest Rates Today, April 22, 2024 | The Still-Hot Economy is Keeping Rates High Business Insider Average Mortgage Interest Rates: Mortgage Rates by Credit Score, Year, and Loan Type Business Insider Mortgage Interest Rates Today, April 21, 2024 | Rates Remain Near 7% Business Insider Will Interest Rates Go Down in May 2024? | Mortgage Rates Forecast The Mortgage Reports Current Student Loan Interest Rates in April 2024 Business Insider How To Get The Best Refinance Rate Bankrate.com The best mortgage lenders for refinancing in April 2024 CNN Underscored Mortgage Rates This Week NerdWallet How To Choose The Right Kind Of Refinance For You Bankrate.com Mortgage Interest Rates Today, April 19, 2024 | High Rates Make for a Challenging Homebuying Season Business Insider Should You Refinance Your Mortgage In 2024? Bankrate.com Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders In 2024 Bankrate.com Current mortgage refinance rates CNN Underscored Best Refinance Lenders of April 2024: Refinance Your Mortgage The Motley Fool Mortgage Interest Rates Today, April 20, 2024 | Rates Remain Elevated, but They Could Fall Later This Year Business Insider When to Consider Refinancing Your Mortgage Business Insider Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders of April 2024 Business Insider Mortgage Rates Chart | Historical and Current Rate Trends The Mortgage Reports VA Loans: What They Are And How To Qualify Bankrate.com Refinance Requirements: What You Need to Refinance Your Home in 2024 The Mortgage Reports How Soon Can You Refinance a Mortgage? NerdWallet Mortgage Rate Forecast February 2024 Bankrate.com Refinancing a Home Equity Loan (2024 Guide) MarketWatch Conventional Refinance Rates and Guidelines for 2024 The Mortgage Reports How To Refinance An Underwater Mortgage Bankrate.com 30-year refinance rates: What to know CNN Underscored Mortgage Rate History: 1970s to 2023 Bankrate.com Current 15-year refinance rates — and lenders that offer them CNN Underscored When should I refinance my mortgage? To determine if a refinance is the right move for you, you’ll need to know the ... The Wall Street Journal How To Get A Home Equity Loan With Bad Credit Bankrate.com Pros and Cons of a Cash-Out Refinance Bankrate.com Should I Refinance My Mortgage Now? When to Refinance As Rates Drop Business Insider What Credit Score Do I Need To Refinance? Bankrate.com Office of Research blog: A look at cash-out refinance mortgages and their borrowers between 2013 to 2023 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
|