Home Loans and Mortgages – The Selection Can Be Bewildering

By: Charles Essmeier


For years, when someone wanted to purchase or refinance a home, the choices were simple. The buyer chose either a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage or a 30 year fixed-rate mortgage. That was it. Of course, those were also the days of twenty percent down payments, which seriously hindered the ability of many Americans to obtain the loan necessary to buy their own home. In recent years, more flexible loan types have become available and down payment requirements have been relaxed. There are now far more choices of loan types available for the borrower than ever before. That can be a mixed blessing, however, as prospective borrowers now have to do a tremendous amount of homework in order to determine which type of loan might be the best choice. The selection of loan types that are currently available can be quite bewildering, and the wrong choice could cost the prospective borrower thousands of dollars over the term of the loan.



The standard 15-year and 30-year mortgages are still quite popular. Each provides the stability of a fixed interest rate and a payment that will remain the same throughout the duration of the life of the mortgage. When interest rates are near historic lows, as they are today, these traditional choices work well for most buyers. Buyers who find a 15-year or 30-year mortgage to be within their means would probably benefit from obtaining such a mortgage now.



In recent years, as home prices have increased faster than wages, the lending industry has created more flexible types of mortgages designed to help buyers who may have trouble with traditional loans obtain financing. These types of loans tend to have adjustable interest rates:



  • The Adjustable Rate Mortgage, or ARM, has a rate that adjusts over time as spelled out in the mortgage agreement. Typically, the rate at the time of singing the loan is lower than that of a traditional mortgage, perhaps by one percent or so. The difference is that the rate can adjust over time as the market changes. The loan agreement will spell out how often the rate may change and how much the rate may change at one time. The agreement may also indicate a maximum interest rate that may be charged over the life of the loan. These types of loans are ideal for buyers who do not intend to stay in their home for more than a few years, or buyers who are purchasing in times of high interest rates, when there is an expectation that rates will drop over time.




  • Convertible mortgages are ARMs that offer the buyer an opportunity to “convert” the adjustable rate loan to a fixed rate loan after a certain period of time that is spelled out in the loan agreement. There is a fee charged for converting the mortgage, but the fee is typically less than the fees associated with refinancing the mortgage altogether.




  • Two Step mortgages offer an initial rate that is lower than the rate for fixed-rate mortgages for the first few years of the loan. After a set period of time, the rate increases to a fixed rate. This allows buyers to pay less during the early years of their loan, when they may earn less or need extra cash for home furnishings. The disadvantage of this type of loan is that the increase in the interest rate can be substantial, and may make the payments unaffordable for some buyers..




    • These are just a few of the types of loans that are currently available in the market. There are probably dozens of variations on ARM loans, and prospective buyers should study their options carefully before agreeing to a loan. Making the right choice could save buyers thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. Making the wrong choice could leave buyers with a loan that they cannot afford to pay. A little time spent on research is time well spent.


    About the Author

    ©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including End-Your-Debt.com, a Website devoted to debt consolidation information and HomeEquityHelp.net, a site devoted to information on home equity loans.

    MORE ARTICLES :
    Finding low interest credit
    Free Money Saving Auto And Home Loan Tips
    Boat Loans Steering Way Towards A Bon Voyage
    Home Equity Increases 1 Trillion in Five Years Is the Mar
    Home Equity Is it Time to Cash Out and Move
    Home Equity Line of Credit Finding The Best Home Equity Le
    Home Equity Loan Home Theater Adds Fun and Value
    Home Equity Loan vs Home Equity Line Of Credit
    Home Loans and Mortgages Beware of Deed Theft Scam
    Home Loans and Mortgages The Selection Can Be Bewildering
    Home Loans and Mortgages Tips to Avoid Foreclosure
    Home Loans The Hot New Product The 30year Mortgage
    How Personal Loans Outperform Bankruptcy and Credit Counseli
    How To Avoid Getting Scammed
    How to become debt free
    How To Find A Military Loan
    How to Get the Best Mortgage
    How To Read Your Credit Report
    How To Tap In To Your Home Equity
    I Wanna Hold Your Hand First Time Homebuyers
    Interest-only Mortgages Have Their Pitfalls
    Interest Rates Up Up and Away
    IS A BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP RIGHT FOR YOU
    Is There Any Way To Get Out Of Debt
    Is This Really A Recovery
    Financing A College Education
    Making Good Use Of Local Banks And Credit Unions For Low Loan
    Minimum Credit Card Payments to Rise
    More Organization Less Stress During Tax Season

    Index Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

    MORE RESOURCES :

    Invalid RSS Equalizer license.
    Click Here To Purchase