| Loan
Programs |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Fixed
Rate Mortgages
30
year fixed
15 year fixed |
- Monthly payments are fixed
over the life of the loan
- Interest rate does not
change
- Protected if rates go up
- Can refinance if rates
go down
|
- Higher interest rate
- Higher mortgage payments
- Rate does not drop if interest
rates improve
|
Adjustable
Rate Mortgages
10/1
ARM
7/1
ARM
3/1
ARM
1
year ARM
6
month ARM
1
month ARM
|
- Lower initial monthly payment
- Lower payment over a shorter period of time
- Rates and payments may go down if rates improve
- May qualify for higher loan amounts
|
- More risk
- Payments may change over time
- Potential for high payments if rates go up
|
Balloon
Mortgages
7
year
5
year |
- Lower initial monthly payment
- Lower payment over a shorter period of time
- Many balloon mortgages offer the option to convert
to a new loan after the initial term.
|
- Risk of rates being higher at the end of the initial
fixed period
- Risk of foreclosure if you cannot make balloon payment
or if you cannot refinance or if you cannot exercise
the conversion option
|
| First
Time Buyer Programs |
- Lower down payment
- Easier to qualify
- Sometimes you may get lower rates
|
- May be subject to income and property value limitations
- Some programs which have government subsidies may
have a recapture tax if you sell the house too early.
|
| Stated
Income Programs |
- Don’t need to verify income
- Faster approval
|
- Higher rates
- Higher down payment
|
| No
point, No fee Programs |
- No closing costs
- Less money required to close
|
- Higher rates
- Higher payments
|
| Imperfect
Credit Programs |
- Potential for reestablishing credit if you pay your
mortgage on time.
- When used for debt consolidation, you may be able
to reduce your monthly debt payment
|
- Higher rates
- Terms may not be as favorable
- Harder to get long term fixed loans
- Loans may have prepayment penalties
|
| Home
Equity Line of Credit |
- You only borrow what you need
- Pay interest only on what you borrow
- Flexible access to funds
- Interest may be tax deductible
|
- Rates can change. The maximum interest rate is normally
high.
- Payments can change
- Harder to refinance your first mortgage
|
| Home
Equity Fixed Loan |
- Fixed payments
- Interest may be tax deductible
|
- Higher interest rates than on 1st mortgages
- Harder to refinance your first mortgage
|
