

The key is that interest rates for such mortgages are always lower than for standard loans.

Even if this is the case, an interest-only loan is still worthy of consideration. Maybe you can easily afford the monthly payment for a conventional loan. Interest-Only Loans Have Cheaper Interest Rates It even costs $385.12 less than a standard adjustable rate mortgage. The same loan costs $597.82 less each month than a conventional loan. Note that there would be absolutely no payment toward the principal in such a scenario, but you can still see the obvious advantage. Using the same parameters as above for monthly payments, the consumer would only be charged $668.89 monthly for the first five years of their loan. You obviously can do so and frankly should if it at all possible, but there is no cost of doing business for declining to do so.Īll that is required during the pre-adjustment phase of your loan is that you make the associated payments to remain current with your interest. There is no expectation from the lender that you will direct a portion of your payment toward the principal. Interest-Only ARM Mortgages Require the Smallest Monthly Payments That sounds great, but you can do better. If your ARM rate is 3 percent for the first five years, you pay $1,054.01, a savings of $212.70 each month. In the example above, the monthly payment would be $1,266.71 for 360 payments, allowing for some variation for tax adjustments. Since you receive a lower interest rate for an ARM loan than for a conventional 30-year loan, however, your payment is still lower. You also pay back some of the agreed upon interest charges, which are the cost of doing business for receiving the loan. Effectively, you pay back some of the money you owe, which is the principal. Each monthly charge includes a combination of principal and interest. Regular ARM Mortgages Are Better but Not GreatĮven if you get an ARM loan, your payment would still work as follows. What you borrow today at 4.5 percent will be paid back with roughly 82 percent in additional costs. Out of those payments, $206,016.78 will be paid in interest charges. If you borrow $250,000 in exchange for a 30-year mortgage at an annual percentage rate of 4.5 percent, you will eventually pay a total of $456,016.78. The average amount of a mortgage varies on an annual basis, so the calculations will be performed under the presumption of a $250,000 loan. Here is an example to help you visualize the amount of money you pay toward loan interest rather than principal. What you may not realize is how little of your initial payments go directly toward paying off your loan. For a 30-year mortgage, the number of payments is 360. In exchange, they agree to make monthly payments for a set period of time. For a conventional 30-year loan, consumers agree to borrow a set amount of money. The first important aspect of this borrowing process requires understanding of how a mortgage works. Conventional Mortgages Include Hefty Interest Costs Read on to understand the underlying mechanics. This concept sounds tricky, but it's not. Effectively, all that the borrower is required to pay each month is the minimum amount of money needed to stay current with the interest charges accrued in the loan. Unlike the standard version, it does not require a portion of your monthly payment to be directed toward the principal. Defining Interest-Only MortgagesĪn interest-only mortgage is a special type of adjustable-rate mortgage. Here are eight important facts about interest-only loans. Interest-only loans are one of the least appreciated options for consumers seeking to pay less at the start of their mortgage. They are not, however, the lowest potential monthly mortgage payments under the ARM umbrella. These start with a lower interest rate before ballooning higher after a designated period, and they are popular due to the fact that the borrower has to pay less during the earlier portion of the mortgage. Most consumers presume that 30-year and 15-year mortgages are their only real options, though some consumers know of adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs). There is a reason why conventional loans have been named as such.
