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Types of mortgage loans - Compare and choose the best option

Posted on: 08th Dec, 2005 08:23 pm
The mortgage industry offers a variety of loan programs suitable for a wide range of borrowers. There are loans that require high payments but there are also programs specially developed to provide homeownership opportunities to low-income families. These mortgages have special features and one really needs to get a brief idea of their pros and cons before he applies for it.

This section provides you with an explanation of mortgage types and their features. Apart from highlighting the types of mortgage loans, this section also mentions who all are suitable for the different types of mortgages. The purpose is to help you explore the features of various types of mortgage loans so that you can compare and choose the one that's best for you.


Types of mortgagesFeaturesEligible Borrowers

Fixed rate mortgage
(40, 30, 15, 10 years)
Fixed rate of interest and hence fixed Monthly payments throughout the loan term.
  • Borrowers who are planning to occupy the property for at least 10 years.
  • Those who don't prefer higher payments.

10/1 year ARM

Interest rate and the monthly payment remain the same for 10 years. From the 11th year, the rate is adjusted every year. This will change the payments each year for the rest of the loan term.
  • Intend to occupy the property for more than 10 years.
  • Like to make stable payments initially but can afford higher payments later on.
    OR
  • Plan to leave the property within 10 years.
  • Want to continue with the loan even if there are changes in the plan.

7/1 year ARM

Interest rate and monthly payments remain fixed for the first 7 years. From the 8th year, interest rates are adjusted every year. The payments are thus changed every year till the loan period is over.
  • Plan to stay in the property for more than 7 years.
  • Prefer stable payments initially but can keep up with higher payments later on.
    OR
  • Plan to vacate the house after 7 years.
  • Want to carry out with the loan in case the plan changes.

7/23 (2-Step)

Fixed rate and monthly payments for first 7 years. On the 8th year, the interest rate is adjusted according to prevailing market rates. The resulting payments will remain constant for the remaining loan period.
  • Plan to occupy the property for more than 7 years.
  • Those who can afford just 1 payment adjustment.
    OR
  • Those who plan to move out within 7 years.
  • Those who want to continue with the loan in case there is any change in the plan.

5/25 (2-Step)

Interest rate and monthly payment remain the same for the first 5 years of the loan period. The rate is adjusted on the 6th year to reflect the prevailing rate. The resulting payment remains constant throughout the rest of the loan term.
  • Borrowers intending to stay in the property for more than 5 years.
  • Those who can bear with one payment adjustment
    OR
  • Borrowers who plan to move within 5 years.
  • Those who want the loan to remain in force in case of any change in the plans.

5/5 and 5/1 year ARM

For the first 5 years, the interest rate and monthly payment remain constant. But from the 6th year, the rates adjust after every 5 years and 1 year respectively.
  • Those who can put up at the property for more than 5 years.
  • Borrowers who like stability in monthly payments initially although there may be increase in payments later on.
    OR
  • Those who may leave the house within 5 years.
  • Borrowers who want to continue with the loan in case plans change.

3/3 and 3/1 year ARM

The interest rate and monthly payments remain fixed for the first 3 years. From the 4th year, the rates are adjusted in every 3 years and 1 year respectively.
  • Borrowers who plan to stay in the property for than 3 years.
  • Those who can accept initial payment stability and any changes later on.
    OR
  • Borrowers willing to abandon the property in less than 3 years.
  • Those who want the loan to remain in force in case of any change in the plan.

1 year ARM

The interest rate is adjusted every year as a result of which the monthly payments also vary each year for the entire loan term.
  • Borrowers who want to take advantage of low rates.
  • Those who can bear additional costs due to yearly payment changes.
    OR
  • Borrowers who cannot qualify for high rate loan programs.

5 year Balloon Mortgage

Interest rate and monthly payments remain unchanged for the first 5 years. After 5 years, the borrower must refinance the loan (which is largely due) at the prevailing rates.
  • Borrowers who plan to occupy the residence for more than 5 years.
  • Those who can refinance their previous loans at the prevailing market rates.
    OR
  • Those who intend to vacate the property within 5 years.
  • Those who like stability in payments.

7 year Balloon Mortgage

Interest rate and monthly payments remain fixed for 7 years. At the end of 7 years, the borrower should refinance into a new loan at the prevailing market rates.
  • Borrowers who want to live in the property for a time period exceeding 7 years.
  • Those who can refinance at the available market rates.
    OR
  • Those who are planning to move out of the property within 7 years.
  • Borrowers who prefer payment stability.

Related Articles
Hi Guest,

With a credit score of 710 and 20% down payment, you will be able to qualify for a conventional loan. But with a credit score of 680, your wife may not qualify for a conventional loan.

Thanks,

Jerry
Posted on: 14th Feb, 2011 01:18 am
A 680 credit score most definitely qualifies for a conventional loan. There are lenders that will give you a conventional loan with a 620 credit score.

When there are two borrowers they will typically use the lowest middle score of the the two borrowers. If you can qualify for the loan without your wife's income then do it that way. If not and you have time, see if you can boost her credit score 20 points or so. That would save you money upfront on closing costs or probably around .125% in the interest rate you will get.
Posted on: 15th Feb, 2011 01:51 am
is a origination fee of 2.75% correct with a credit score of 680 with 20% down sound right?
Posted on: 05th Mar, 2011 05:45 am
it's a conventional loan with an origination fee of 2.75% of the loan
Posted on: 05th Mar, 2011 05:47 am
I would say it is too high. What is the loan amount?
Posted on: 05th Mar, 2011 01:06 pm
credit score 674 and loan amount $272,000 with 20% down
Posted on: 05th Mar, 2011 08:03 pm
sorry purchase amount $272,000 and loan amount of $217,600
Posted on: 05th Mar, 2011 08:07 pm
giants1990, first question did you recently get the 674 credit score from a loan originator after they ran a credit check on you? If this is the actual credit score a lender would be using then you need to get a copy of it and see what the key 4 factors are that are lowering your score. There is a very good chance you could rapidly get your score to 680 or higher which could save you over $1600 in lender fees. Some lenders can do what is called a rapid rescore for a small fee and get this done in a matter of days.

Even with the 674 credit score paying a 2.75% origination fee still seems high though. To give you a more specific answer what is the interest rate you were quoted and term (30 year fixed rate?),what state are you in, does the 2.75% cover other 3rd party fees such as an appraisal, and what is the rate lock period being used (30,45,60 days)?
Posted on: 06th Mar, 2011 01:05 am
The interest rate is 4.875, 30 year fixed, michigan, no the 2.75% does not cover appraisel, lock 30 days which i didn't pay for cause it doesn't cost anything. My broker stated if i got it to a 680 it would be 1.75%, and if i got it to a 700 it would be 1% origination fee. I also spoke with another lender said the samething, just want to know if thier right,

thx
Posted on: 06th Mar, 2011 04:01 am
Around $6000 for the lender origination fee and a 4.875% rate is in the ballpark with a 674 credit score. As I said get your credit score report which you are entitled to by law, if a mortgage lender recently pulled it and see what the 4 key factors are that are lowering your scores. Quite often there are things that you can do that will quickly increase your credit scores such as paying down a credit card or deleting an item that shouldn't be in your credit file.

Next, if you are in a hurry to purchase a home, find a lender that can do a rapid rescore. Depending on what factors are lowering your scores, you could easily see an increase to 680 and even 700 or more. Anyone capable of doing a rescore should have the ability to tell you approximately how much your scores should increase if you do go ahead with the rescore before you pay a fee to get it done.

And yes the pricing adjstments of going from 674 to 680 would be 1.00% less in what is called loan level pricing adjustments that both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac charge and 1.75% less by going from 674 to 700. So on a loan amount of $217,600 you are talking about saving from $2176 to $3808 - well worth the effort to get your credit scores raised.
Posted on: 06th Mar, 2011 10:12 am
My lender does a rapid rescore and i'm in the process of tring to get my score up.

Thank you, Jimgilly you were very helpful
Posted on: 06th Mar, 2011 05:59 pm
giants1990, glad to be of help. I would be interested to know how the rapid rescore goes. Hopefully you can at least get to the 680 mark and even hit the 700 number.

Another thing you need to be aware of is Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the two GSEs where most loans are sold to) will be adding another .250% fee on loans with 20% down and credit scores of 680 and higher - Fannie Mae beginning 1 April. Credit scores below 680 will not have this increase.

That means even if you can quickly raise your score to 680 and higher you need to get the loan closed ASAP. You should confirm this with your lender as this would mean an additional fee of $544 on a $217,600 loan.
Posted on: 06th Mar, 2011 10:24 pm
Hi,
I live in Brooksville Florida and I am currently in a lease purchase option contract with a manufactured home/land. I am researching mortgage products for this type of financing. The purchase price is 159.000.00, including the lease purchase option and rent credit, we are putting 15,500.00 down on the home/property. What documentation is needed to when applying for a loan of this type. Its a 1999 Palm Harbor /mobile home 4/3, with land (2.30 acres). What type of credit, down payment, closing costs etc... to close Thank you, D
Posted on: 07th Mar, 2011 10:07 am
Posted on: 08th Mar, 2011 01:57 am
For variable rate mortgages, can you please tell me in what basis the rate is adjusted ? will in increase to a high rate all of a sudden ?
Posted on: 26th May, 2011 02:47 am
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