Owning a house is the American dream. For some people, however, it can become the American nightmare. How? By having the wrong mortgage.

 

When you go shopping for a mortgage loan, you need to borrow enough money to get the house you want to buy. You also need to have a payment you can meet every month -- one that will leave you with enough money to have a life.


Not sure which mortgage loan to use? This chart describes characteristics of the most popular loan programs.

 

 

Which Mortgage is Right for You?

 

PROGRAM

          

          LOAN CHARACTERISTICS

        

         APPROPRIATE FOR BORROWERS WHO:

FIXED RATE
MORTGAGE
(30,10,15,10 years)

  • Interest rate &
    monthly payment
    remain the same for the entire term of the loan
  • plan to live in property more than 10 years
  • like total payment stability

10/1 YEAR
ADJUSTABLE RATE
MORTGAGE

 

 

  • Interest rate &
    monthly payment remain
    the same for 10 years
    Starting the 11th year, interest rate adjusted every year, so payment is subject to change every year for remainder of loan

 

 

  • plan to live in property more than 10 years
  • like initial payment stability, can accept later changes

OR

  • plan to move within 10 years
  • want loan to remain in force in case plans change

7/23 (2-Step)
or
'30 due in 7'
MORTGAGE

 

  • Interest rate & monthly payment remain the same for 7 years
    Conversion option: On the 8th year, interest rate adjusted to reflect prevailing interest rates, resulting payment will remain the same for remainder of loan

 

  • plan to live in property more than 10 years
  • can tolerate one payment adjustment

OR

  • plan to move within 7 years
  • want to remain in force in case plans change

7/1 YEAR
ADJUSTABLE RATE
MORTGAGE

 

  • Interest rate & monthly payment remain the same for 7 years
    Starting the 8th year, interest rate adjusted every year, so payment is subject to change every year for remainder of the loan

 

  • plan to live in property more than 7 years
  • like initial payment stability, can accept later changes

OR

  • plan to move within 7 years
  • want loan to remain in force in case plans change

7 YEAR
BALLOON
MORTGAGE

  • Interest rate & monthly payment remain the same for 7 years
  • At the end of 7 years, loan is due in full. Borrower must refinance into new loan at prevailing interest rates
  • plan to live in property more than 7 years
  • are willing to refinance at prevailing market rates

OR

  • plan to move within 7 years
  • like payment stability

5/25 (2-Step)
or
'30 due in 5'
MORTGAGE

 

  • Interest rate & monthly payment remain the same for 5 years
    Conversion option: On the 6th year, interest rate adjusted to reflect prevailing interest rates, resulting payment will remain the same for remainder of loan

 

  • plan to live in property more than 5 years
  • can tolerate one payment adjustment

OR

  • plan to move within 5 years
  • want loan to remain in force in case of plans change

5/5 & 5/1 YEAR
ADJUSTABLE RATE
MORTGAGES

 

  • Interest rate & monthly payment remain the same for 5 years
    Starting the 6th year, interest rate adjusted every 5 years (for 5/5 ARM) and every year (for 5/1 ARM)

 

  • plan to live in property more than 5 years
  • like initial payment stability, can accept later changes

OR

  • plan to move within 5 years
  • want loan to remain in force in case plans change

5 YEAR
BALLOON
MORTGAGE

 

  • Interest rate & monthly payment remain the same for 5 years
    At the end of 5 years, loan is due in full. Borrower must refinance into new loan at prevailing interest rates

 

  • plan to live in property more than 5 years
  • are willing to refinance at prevailing market rates

OR

  • plan to move within 5 years
  • like payment stability

3/3 & 3/1 YEAR
ADJUSTABLE RATE
MORTGAGES

 

  • Interest rate & monthly payment remain the same for 3 years
    Starting 4th year, interest rate adjusted every 3 years (for 3/3 ARM) and every year (for 3/1 ARM)

 

  • plan to live in property more than 3 years
  • like initial payment stability, can accept later changes

OR

  • plan to move within 3 years
  • want loan to remain in force in case plans change

1 YEAR
ADJUSTABLE RATE
MORTGAGES

  • Interest rate adjusted every year, so monthly payment is subject to change every year for entire 30 year loan term
  • want to take advantage of lowest rate possible
  • are willing to accept yearly payment changes

OR

  • cannot qualify at higher rate programs