Finding the best loan means that you will have to look and see which one best fits your particular situation. Since people have different ideas about buying a home, you will need to look around and find one based on your needs. Here are some different home loan types to help give you an idea of what is available.
Probably before you do anything else, it would be a real good idea to sit down and figure out just what you want to do about your house. Do you intend to stay there the rest of your life, just a few years, or perhaps as many as 15? After that, then what are your goals concerning a house? If you are planning on selling and buying another one, will you want a larger one or a smaller house? Also, try to get an idea where you reasonably will be financially at that time. Each of these aspects will help you to plan more accurately and help you determine what kind of mortgage you need.
All home loans will fall into one of two categories. It is either a fixed rate mortgage or an adjustable rate mortgage. Fixed rate mortgages (FRM) means that your payments and interest stay the same without any changes. The adjustable rate mortgage (ARM), on the other hand, will have a fixed rate for part of its term, and then will go to an interest rate that changes either monthly or yearly. This also means that your payment changes, too, with the current national rates.
Short Term Plans
If you have short plans for buying and selling your new home, then there are some home loans that will be better for you than others. A balloon mortgage gives you the advantage of low payments because, while it is based on 30 years, it will become due after 5, 7, or 15 years. Being that an ARM changes with the market, it will be lower than an FRM, and should be rather stable for the short term. The balloon payment will be due at the end of the year you choose, but you can sell it before that time comes. If you change your mind about selling it though, then you will have to refinance it at whatever the current interest rate is at the time.
Long Term Plans
Buying a house for the long term means that you want the best program for that, as well. Many people got ARM's so that they could buy a larger house, but then they take the risk that the rates won't rise too high after the adjustable rate portion kicks into operation – or else they plan on refinancing. You should determine whether or not to use an ARM if the current interest rates appear to be somewhat stable. Of course, there are no guarantees, but an FRM will definitely provide a hedge against it.
In the long haul, though, you can always refinance - no matter what you have. Costs will need to be considered before you do, and it will be easier to sell if you allow equity to be built up in the house (avoid creating negative equity). Home loans need to be researched carefully to find the best deal. Also watch out for early payout penalties, which actually penalize you for being thrifty enough to pay it off early.
Author: Joseph Kenny
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