The adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) became popular in the early ’80s, when long-term interest rates were high and people needed a new type of financing to buy homes. These products start out with a lower interest rate, then the interest rate adjusts periodically. If you’re confident that your income will increase steadily over the years, or if you plan to move in a few years and aren’t concerned about potential rate increases, you may want to consider an adjustable-rate mortgage. With an ARM, your interest rate may move up or down as market conditions change. Interest rate changes typically are subject to two caps, one for each adjustment period and one for the life of your loan. When discussing ARMs with your lender, be sure to ask what the maximum interest rate adjustments can be for any ARM product you consider.
One-Year Adjustable Rate Mortgage
This adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) offers a low initial interest rate with an interest rate that adjusts annually after the first year. The rate cap per annual adjustment is usually 2 percent; the lifetime adjustment caps can be 5 percent or 6 percent. This type of mortgage may be right for you if you anticipate a rapid increase in income over the first few years of your mortgage. That’s because it lets you maximize your purchasing power immediately. It may also be the right mortgage for you if you plan to live in your home for only a few years.
Advantages:
- You can get a one-year ARM with a term from 10 to 30 years. The most typical ones are 10, 15, or 30 years.
- The one-year ARM is most often indexed to the weekly average yield of U.S. Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year.
- Can be used to buy one-family, principal residences, including condos, and planned unit developments. Manufactured homes are also eligible. (Manufactured housing units must be built on a permanent chassis at a factory and then transported to a permanent site and attached to a foundation.)
- You can get a one-year ARM with a term from 10 to 30 years. The most typical ones are 10, 15, or 30 years.
- The one-year ARM is most often indexed to the weekly average yield of U.S. Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year.
- Can be used to buy one-family, principal residences, including condos, and planned unit developments. Manufactured homes are also eligible. (Manufactured housing units must be built on a permanent chassis at a factory and then transported to a permanent site and attached to a foundation.)
Six-Month Adjustable Rate Mortgage
This adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) offers a low initial interest rate for the first six months with an interest rate that adjusts every six months thereafter. The rate caps per adjustment can be 1 percent or 2 percent; the lifetime adjustment caps can be 4 percent, 5 percent, or 6 percent. This type of mortgage may be right for you if you anticipate a rapid increase in income over the first few years of your mortgage. That’s because it lets you maximize your purchasing power immediately. It may also be the right mortgage for you if you plan to live in your home for only a few years.
The interest rate is tied to a published financial index. When comparing ARMs that have different indexes, look at how the index has performed recently. Your lender can provide information on how to track a specific index and how to review a 15-year history of the index.
Advantages:
- Maximizes your buying power immediately, especially if you expect your income to rise quickly in the next few years.
- Lets you select an index that meets your financial needs.
- Easier to qualify for due to a low interest rate and a 1 or 2 percent annual rate cap.
- Some six-month ARMs let you convert to a fixed-rate loan at certain adjustment intervals – ask your lender which of their six-month ARMs include this option. Your lender can also provide further specifics about this mortgage option.
Details:
You can get a six-month ARM with a term of 10 to 30 years. Typically, they are 10, 15, or 30 years.
Can be used to buy one- to four-family, owner-occupied principal residences including second homes, investment properties, and condos, co-ops and planned unit developments. Manufactured homes are also eligible. (Manufactured housing units must be built on a permanent chassis at a factory and then transported to a permanent site and attached to a foundation.)
