|
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.
- Payments can change
|
|
|
|
Home
Equity Fixed Loan
|
|
|
- Fixed payments
- Interest may be tax
deductible
|
- Higher interest rates
than on 1st mortgages
|
|
|
|
|