The Pros and Cons of Adjustable-Rate Mortgages in a Volatile Market
Deciding on and getting approved for a home loan is no small decision. On top of that the choice to take on an adjustable-rate mortgage, or ARM, can feel even more complicated. With interest rates fluctuating in a volatile market, it’s important to have an understanding of the pros and cons of ARMs.
An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) is a type of home loan that can be beneficial for some, but it's not without risks. ARMs are often attractive because they usually come with lower interest rates than other types of mortgages. However, the rate can change over time which means payments could become unpredictable and unaffordable.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of adjustable-rate mortgages in a volatile market. Knowing both can help you make an informed decision on whether an ARM is right for yourself or for your family. Let’s explore the different aspects of these variable rate loans.
Adjustable-Rate Mortgages in an Unpredictable Market
Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) are a type of home loan that can be helpful for people in certain situations, such as not planning to stay in the same home for a long period of time. ARMs come with both advantages and disadvantages that should be considered before making any decisions. Below are the pros and cons of adjustable-rate mortgages in a volatile market.
The Pros of Adjustable-Rate Mortgages
The biggest advantage to an ARM loan is the lower interest rate compared to more traditional fixed-rate loans. This means that your monthly payments will be lower, giving you more financial flexibility throughout the life of your loan.
ARMs also allow you to benefit from any unexpected drops in interest rates without having to refinance your loan or pay expensive prepayment penalties like you would with a fixed-rate mortgage. Many ARM loans offer additional features such as payment caps and conversion options that help protect borrowers against rising interest rates.
ARMs generally come with lower closing costs when compared to other types of mortgages, which could result in significant savings upfront. Adjustable-rate mortgages may offer flexibility with additional features such as interest rate caps or conversion options, which give borrowers more control over their loan terms and conditions.
Pro #1: Lower Initial Interest Rates
One of the main advantages of an ARM is that it can provide borrowers with a lower initial interest rate than a fixed-rate mortgage. This is beneficial for anyone who wants to take advantage of low-interest rates but may not have the credit score or down payment needed to qualify for one. With an ARM, borrowers can get access to lower interest rates even if they don’t have perfect credit or don’t have enough money saved up for a large down payment.
Pro #2: Flexibility
Another advantage of an ARM is that it allows borrowers to benefit from flexible terms and conditions. For example, many ARMs allow you to choose how long you want your loan term to last, as well as when your monthly payments will be due. This flexibility can be especially beneficial for veterans or military personnel who may need more time to make their payments due to deployments or other commitments.
The Cons of Adjustable-Rate Mortgages
One major disadvantage of adjustable-rate mortgages is the risk associated with them. With an ARM loan, your interest rate could rise significantly. This could lead to higher payments than what were originally agreed upon when taking out the mortgage. It’s also especially true in times of economic volatility, when interest rates tend to fluctuate unpredictably due to changing economic conditions.
Many ARMs come with prepayment penalties that could further limit your financial flexibility if you need or want to pay off your loan early. Some lenders may also require borrowers to pay fees for certain ARM features such as conversion options or early repayment penalties. Adjustable-rate mortgages may not even be available as an option to fixed-rate mortgages.
Con #1: Variable Rates
The biggest downside of ARMs is that the interest rate is variable and could increase over time as market conditions change. In today's volatile market, you could end up paying more on your mortgage than you initially planned for if interest rates go up significantly during your loan term. To protect against this possibility, many people opt for a cap on their adjustable-rate mortgages. This allows them to know exactly how high their payments could get before taking out the loan.
Con #2: Limited Availability
Another downside of an ARM is that they are not available everywhere. Some lenders only offer fixed-rate mortgages because they are easier and less risky than adjustable-rate ones. As such, it may be difficult to find an ARM in some areas or through certain lenders. Additionally, lenders may also require higher credit scores and larger down payments from those looking to take out an adjustable-rate mortgage. Especially when compared to those taking out traditional fixed-rate ones.
Exploring Adjustable-Rate Mortgages in a Volatile Market
Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) come with both advantages and disadvantages that should be considered before making any decisions about taking out one—especially in today's volatile market where interest rates could potentially skyrocket at any moment. ARMs offer lower initial interest rates than fixed-rate mortgages as well as flexibility on repayment terms. They also come with unpredictable variable rates and limited availability through certain lenders who require higher credit scores and larger down payments from borrowers looking to take out one of these loans.
When considering whether or not an adjustable-rate mortgage is right for you, it's important to weigh the risks and rewards carefully. Interest rates are currently low. Now may be an ideal time to consider an ARM if you think it could benefit you financially over time. However, if rising interest rates or unstable economic conditions cause concern then maybe a fixed-rate mortgage would be a better option.
As you can see, there are both advantages and disadvantages to taking out an adjustable-rate mortgage in today’s volatile market. Ultimately, it’s important to weigh all the factors and make sure you fully understand the terms and conditions before signing any loan documents. Let Military HomeSpot Lending work with you on getting the best deal possible; an ARM might be exactly what you need.
