Sat 20 Jun 2009
Should you opt for an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM)?
Posted by Kevin Pierce under Real Estate
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As of a few years ago, the ARM was the best way to buy a home. If you do not have the money to buy your dream home, then you can choose a mortgage with an adjustable rate over a fixed one. In an adjustable rate mortgage, the rate of interest changes every year depending on the market condition. As for a fixed rate of mortgage, the rate of interest is not dependant on the market scenario and remains the same over the term of the loan.
As of just a few years ago, an adjustable rate mortgage was a smarter option among the two main types of mortgages. Each year the rate of interest for the adjustable mortgage was decreasing and hence people had to pay a lesser amount towards their mortgage payment. However, these things are cyclical. Because of rising interest rates in the world market cycle, people have been losing out under an adjustable rate mortgage scheme, as it is dependent on current market scenarios.
The rate in the case of an adjustable mortgage is determined at the beginning of each fiscal year. A fiscal year, for 1 year ARMs starts 1st January and ends on 31st December of the same year. Right at the beginning of the fiscal year, your lender will calculate a rate of lending depending on the index that your mortgage rate is attached to. This rate is calculated based on the index which is influenced by a number of factors like the rate of inflation, rate of lending, credit worthiness, and so on.
Keeping these various factors in mind, the rate of adjustable mortgage is determined. This pre-determined rate of interest is applicable for the rest of the fiscal year, though it can be revised at any time. Depending on the credit cycle, it is seen that the interest rate for adjustable mortgages diminishes or rises with every passing year.
The problem with the ARM is that the rate and associated payment can increase substantially in any one cycle. For instance, if the rate goes up by just 1% the borrowers actual payment could increase from several hundred dollars to in the thousands.
A suprise increase in ARM payments will make it harder for the borrowers to make there payment. Especially with the recent liberal underwriting practices before the mortgage crash. Borrowers have seen the employment market get tighter and in many cases seen their income reduced.
If you are in an industry or business where your income is expected to be fixed, it is best to opt for a Fixed Rate Mortgage. The only thing certain about interest rates in the future is that they are uncertain.
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