Most home buyers understand the basics of home mortgage loans. They know what a mortgage loan is, how interest works, and other fundamentals of the home loan process. But when it comes to the closing costs associated with buying a home, many of these same home buyers get caught off guard – by both the variety and total amount of closing costs. By understanding and preparing for these costs...

ARM - Adjustable Rate Mortgages

Dan Lewis

Traditionally, homebuyers could look to two forms of mortgages - fixed rate and adjustable mortgages. While there are now many more options, this article takes a look at the adjustable rate mortgage.

What is an ARM Loan?

An adjustable rate mortgage ["ARM"] is a basic mortgage with one important exception. With an ARM, your interest rate will start low but typically move up throughout the link of the loan. The timing of the movements is dictated by the terms of the loan. The rate may be adjusted every month, but more typical periods are every six or twelve months. Most adjustable rate mortgages also have a cap on the amount the interest rate can be raised in a particular period.

"ARM" Yourself?

A homebuyer has to be very careful when selecting an adjustable rate mortgage. Buying a home necessarily involves budgeting out how much of a monthly mortgage rate you can afford to pay. With an ARM, you have to keep in mind that your monthly payment amount will go up if the interest rate does the same. While you may be able to afford the loan now, what happens if the rate jumps two percent over the next two years?

In the current real estate market, potential rate increases are a troubling issue. In areas where the real estate market is dramatically appreciating, homebuyers are using ARM loans to "get into" homes. Put another way, they are using ARM loans to get a mortgage payment they can afford without giving real consideration to rate increases in the future. Mortgage interest rates have been at historic lows for the last few years. What is going to happen to all of these people when rates rise? It could make the savings and loans crisis of the late 80s look like small potatoes.

If you are considering an adjustable rate mortgage, make sure you do the research. Find out how often the rates can increase and by how much. Try to determine whether you can afford payments if the rates go up significantly over the next few years. With Greenspan retiring, now is the time to be very careful when taking on mortgage debt.
About the Author

Dan Lewis is a mortgage broker with http://www.gwhomeloans.com - San Diego mortgage brokers providing home loans and refinances. Visit http://gwhomeloans.com/services.html to learn more about options for San Diego mortgages.

The latest information and news on Mortgages:

Yahoo! News Search Results for mortgage

Mortgage rates hit low of 4.54 percent
Mortgage rates are the most affordable in decades for those who can qualify for a loan.
Mortgage rates hit low of 4.54 pct.
Mortgage rates dropped to the lowest level on record for the fifth time in six weeks, making homebuying and refinancing the most attractive in decades for those who can get loans.
Mortgage Rates Fall Again; 30-Year Fixed At 4.54% - Freddie
Mortgage Rates Fall Again; 30-Year Fixed At 4.54% - Freddie
Mortgage brokers to be fingerprinted, registered
Mortgage loan originators will have to be fingerprinted and sign up to a central registry to do business in future, according to new rules issued by the Federal Reserve and other regulators. Mortgage - Business - Mortgage broker - Federal Reserve System - Financial Services
Mortgage rates hit low of 4.54 percent
Mortgage rates are the most affordable in decades for those who can qualify for a loan. For many, the opportunity to buy a home or refinance at this time is lost because of the tough economy and tight credit standards. But those who have secure jobs, superior... Mortgage - Loan - Refinancing - Unite...
Yahoo! News Search Results for refinance

Russia's Sberbank to refinance RusAl's credit to VEB
Russia's top bank, state-controlled Sberbank, will fully refinance a $4.5 billion loan, which Russia's state development bank Vnesheconombank (VEB) issued to RusAl, the world's largest aluminum producer in the midst of the financial crisis, VEB head Vladimir Dmitriyev said on Wednesday.
Centro to refinance US arm's debt
SHARES in Centro Properties Group rose on news it will refinance and extend the debt of its US business in the midst of restructuring.
Development authority moves to refinance Riverview loan
The Butts County Industrial Development Authority has decided to refinance its loan on the Riverview Business Park property in southern Butts and northern Lamar counties, despite losing its eligibility for a low interest rate.
Pasco School Board to refinance bonds
The Pasco School Board agreed Tuesday to refinance bonds from 2001 and 2003, a move that's expe
7 reasons why you should refinance
A refinance can make sense for many reasons, from getting a lower rate to consolidating debt.