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