|
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 rate
|
-
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
|