Adjustable Rate Mortgages - Understand the Benefits Compared to a Fixed Rate Mortgage


Adjustable 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.



RELATED LINKS

Accept Credit Card Payment Online

Accept credit card payment online and increase sales by 400% or more.... Find out how ...

 

Advanta Credit Cards

Apply for an Advanta credit card with 0% APR, rewards and cash back.

 

American Express Credit Card Application

Apply online for a new AMEX rewards credit card. See special offers.

 

Best Airline Miles Credit Card

Earn Frequent Airline Miles for Every Dollar Spent with No Annual Fee.

 

Best Cash Back Credit Card

Earn Up to 5% Cash Back on Every Day Purchases. Apply for Yours Today.

 

Best Reward Credit Card

Compare & Apply for the Best Reward Credit Cards with Up to 5% Cash Back Rewards and more.

 

Business Credit Card Online Application

Compare Business Credit Cards from All Major Banks. Apply Online Now

 

Chase Credit Card Application

Find Credit Card Applications from Chase & Apply Online in Seconds.

 

Citi Credit Card Application

Citibank offers credit cards that have 0% APR balance transfer options, Rewards, Cash Back, and much more

 

Credit Card Application For Bad Credit

Great card for bad credit just got better. 8.9% APR, instant decision.

 

Credit Card Balance Transfer Deal

Great Rates: Balance Transfers and Purchases. Capital One Credit Card

 

Debit Cards

Control Your Spending with a debit card. Guaranteed Approval.

 

Discover Credit Card Offer

Discover Credit Card Offers with 0% for 12 months, no fees & cash back.

 

Gas Credit Card Application

Save money at the gas pump with a new gas credit card. Apply now.

Fast Easy Payday Loan

Get the fast cash you need with an easy payday loan. Compare and apply

 

Hotel Rewards Credit Card

Earn Free Stays with a Hotel Rewards Credit Card. Apply Online Now.

 

HSBC Credit Card Application

Get 0% Intro APR, No Annual Fee, Great Service, Benefits. Apply Now.

 

Low Interest Credit Card List

Compare & Apply for Credit Cards w/ 0% Intro APR for Up to 15 Months

 

Master Card Application

Apply for MasterCard Credit Cards with 0% APR, Cash Back & No Fees.

 

No Annual Fee Credit Card

0% APR with No Annual Fee. Compare No Fee Credit Cards & Apply Online.

 

Online Car Loan Application

Loans and Refinancing for New and Used Cars. Online Approval.

 

Online Debt Consolidation Services

Consolidate your debts today - ease the strain of monthly bills.

 

Online Foreign Currency Trading

FOREX is a serious game. Play it with the pros. Start with just $50. The best trading platform available today. Start Trading and see why.

 

Online Mortgage Application

Apply online for a mortgage for your home. It's fast and easy. Great Rates!

 

Online Visa Credit Card Application

Compare & Apply for Visa Credit Cards with 0% APR and No Annual Fee.

 

Prepaid Credit Card

Get a Prepaid Credit Card with Free Direct Deposit. No Credit Check.

 

Shopping Reward Credit Card

Shopping Reward Credit Card. Fast Online Credit Card Application ... You have found the best shopping reward credit card site on the Internet!

 

Student Credit Card Application

Pay 0 Interest for 6 Months & Earn Rewards with a Student Credit Card.

 

Travel Rewards Credit Card

Compare Frequent Flyer Credit Cards Apply Now and Start Earning Miles.


MORE RESOURCES:

Emmetsburg woman accused in mortgage scam
Chicago Tribune, United States - 2 hours ago
AP EMMETSBURG, Iowa - An Emmetsburg woman has been arrested for allegedly running a mortgage scam out of her home. Terry Hoffert is charged with two counts ...


Seattle Post Intelligencer

McCain's plan for troubled home loans called impractical
Newsday, NY - Oct 9, 2008
WASHINGTON - John McCain's proposal to have the federal government directly buy and refinance troubled home loans would cost about $300 billion, ...
Video: McCain Proposes $300 Billion Mortgage Plan AssociatedPress
Principal is key to housing solution Winston-Salem Journal
Obama Ad Attacks McCain Mortgage Plan RTT News
all 733 news articles


Mortgage rescue plan would be costly, and may fall short
Detroit Free Press, United States - Oct 9, 2008
John McCain's surprising and decidedly nonconservative proposal to refinance troubled mortgages directly through the government has some appeal. ...


CQ Transcript: McCain Campaign Advisers’ Teleconference on ...
CQPolitics.com, DC - Oct 14, 2008
Individuals will be able to essentially call their bank and ask to have an underwater or a distressed mortgage refinance. They would get government help in ...


Debt adviser: Don't rush to borrow your equity
Daily Breeze, CA - 14 hours ago
... to the questions in this column, you should have a good idea of what the real costs are of adding the credit card balance to a mortgage refinance. ...


Anxious investors hanging on despite heavy stock market losses
Los Angeles Times, CA - Oct 13, 2008
The officer and his wife, who works in mortgage refinance, have about half a million dollars in the market, including retirement savings, individual stocks, ...


Is this the right time to refinance?
Chicago Tribune, United States - Sep 25, 2008
Mortgage rates are down and you're not going to bother trying to sell your home anytime soon. Should you spend the money to refinance and lower your ...


New London OKs Expansion Of Condo Project
TheDay, CT - Oct 10, 2008
But in the past month, contractors released the liens; at least one settlement check was written by New Haven Mortgage Refinance LLC, a company attached to ...


The Paulson Proposal: An Update On Economists´ Views
Mondaq News Alerts (subscription), UK - Oct 13, 2008
The mortgage refinance programs may be given serious consideration once the basic operation of the banking system has stabilized. In the very brief history ...


Mortgage Applications Slide 23 Percent
RTT News, NY - Oct 1, 2008
(RTTNews) - Industry data released on Wednesday showed that mortgage application volume plunged 23 percent last week, adding to the 10 percent it lost in ...

Mortgage-Refinance - Google News

home page | article index | site map
Credit  |  Currency Trading  |  Debt Consolidation  |  Debt Relief  |  Insurance  |  Investment  |  Leasing  |  Loans  |  Mortgage and Refinance  |  Personal Finance  |  Real Estate  |  Stocks and Mutual Funds  |  Taxes

 

© Copyright 2006 - SmarteCredit.Com. All rights reserved