Mortgages 101: Fixed-Rate Mortgages vs. Adjustable-Rate Mortgages

An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) will have a varying interest rate over the lifespan of your loan. However, ARMs do have a certain period at the beginning of the mortgage where you will see consistent, fixed payments and lower initial interest rates. This period of consistent monthly payments can last anywhere from one month to several years.

After this initial period, your rates will adjust at a pre-determined frequency, such as a 5/1 ARM, which is fixed for five years, then adjusts every one year thereafter. That means you will be held to inconsistent payment requirements over the remaining terms of your mortgage. To put this into perspective, a 6% ARM could eventually end up at 11% in as little as three years if rates rise sharply.Citation

What You Should Know About Your ARM Before Borrowing

Investing in an ARM can be risky, but it will likely have a high payoff in the long run. Interest rates are unpredictable and set by the market, so borrowers should fully understand their loan agreement terms and know how their ARM will adjust.

• Adjustment frequency – The amount of time (typically a year) during which the interest rate on a mortgage will be adjusted.
• Adjustment index – The interest rate adjustment benchmark.
• Margin – The additional interest a borrower agrees to pay above the index rate typical.
• Caps – The limit to which the interest rate can increase each adjustment period.
• Ceiling – The highest number the interest rate can reach during the loan term.
• Principal – The non-interest portion of a loan.
• Interest rate – The percentage that a lender charges a borrower for a loan.
• Amortization – A gradual loan repayment in which installments are applied to both the principal and the interest
• Amortization schedule – A table that organizes amortization loan payments, including the interest and principal amount in each payment.

One of the biggest advantages of an ARM is the initial low interest rate. This makes it easier for home buyers to get approved. Lenders can qualify borrowers using the lower payments, which means buying a larger, more expensive home is a greater possibility for the borrower. Borrowers who agree to a shorter adjustment period will often receive lower initial interest rates, saving money in the beginning of their loan term.

Although there are advantages of an ARM, there are also a few disadvantages to be aware of. ARMs can be difficult for first-time home buyers to fully understand, and borrowers can be taken advantage of due to the flexibility lenders have with determining the loan terms. Although an ARM comes with a low initial rate, it is dependent on market fluctuation, which means that rates and payments will have the potential to rise considerably throughout the loan period, creating financial inconsistencies. If you have an ARM for long enough, the eventual interest rate will far surpass that of a fixed-rate loan.

Here are a few situations in which a borrower should consider an ARM:

Short-term homeowner

If you’re not set on staying in the same location for long, an adjustable-rate mortgage might be your best bet. If you want to relocate or move into a bigger place before the introductory period of your mortgage ends, you’ll have reaped the benefits of a lower interest rate without having to deal with the fluctuating monthly payments.

Borrowers expecting an income increase

Borrowers who are expecting an income increase, like a recent law school graduate, will likely benefit from an ARM. They can take advantage of an initial low interest rate while preparing for a potentially increasing monthly payment in the future. 

Borrowers looking for an initial lower interest rate who aren’t worried about fluctuating interest rates

If a homeowner is planning on selling their home within a year or two, taking out an ARM on a new property is a smart choice. After their previous home contract is closed, they may be able to pay off the entire ARM before the adjustment index increases.

A fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) maintains the same interest rate throughout the lifetime of the loan. This protects borrowers from increases in monthly mortgage payments because of rising interest rates and offers a strong sense of financial predictability.

Even though your interest rate may be fixed, the actual amount you’ll pay each month with be dependent on the terms of your mortgage. The most common loan terms are 15, 20 or 30-year mortgages, with 30-year being the most popular choice because it usually offers the lowest monthly payment.Citation

One advantage of an FRM is that the terms are clear and there is little variation between lenders. Consistent monthly payments that aren’t dependent on fluctuating interest rates give borrowers a sense of stability. Budgeting and planning for the future is a lot easier with a steady mortgage.

Here’s an example of part of an amortization schedule of an FRM. In this example, the mortgage term is 30 years the principal is $100,000, the interest rate is 6.00%. You can see that both the principal and interest vary slightly, but the monthly payment is consistent.

Although an FRM is the convenient choice for most first-time home buyers, there are disadvantages as well. When interest rates are high, qualifying for a loan is more difficult because the payments are less affordable. If you want to take advantage of falling interest rates, you’re going to have to refinance. Also, FRMs can’t be customized for individual borrowers because they are typically only listed on the secondary market.

Since fixed-rate mortgages are simpler to understand, they are commonly preferred among first-time home buyers. If you’re looking to plant your roots in an area where you can see yourself long-term, this loan option may be the best route for you. They are also a popular option for borrowers who aren’t looking to take the risk that comes with an ARM.

While you may be gravitating toward a specific mortgage type, you should first consider both options thoroughly; for instance, your current and future personal and financial factors. While you might like the stability of a fixed-rate mortgage, if you have a career that relocates you every few years, it might end up costing you more in the long run.

When it comes to a fixed-rate mortgage vs. an adjustable-rate mortgage, it’s important to understand that mortgage rates are constantly changing. Blue Water Mortgage is well-versed in both fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages, and we’d love to help you determine which is right for you. Contact us today to speak with one of our qualified loan officers.