ARM
vs. Fixed Rate Mortgage
A fixed rate mortgage has the same payment for the entire term of
the loan. An adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) has a rate that can change,
causing your monthly payment to increase or decrease. Use this calculator
to compare a fixed rate mortgage to two types of ARMs, a Fully Amortizing
ARM and an Interest Only ARM.
Definitions
Fixed Rate Mortgage
A fixed rate mortgage has the same interest rate and monthly
payment throughout the term of the mortgage. The payment is calculated to payoff
the mortgage balance at the end of the term. The most common terms are 15 year
and 30 years.
Fully Amortizing ARM
This is the most common type of ARM. The monthly payment
is calculated to payoff the entire mortgage balance at the end of the term.
The term is typically 30 years. After any fixed interest rate period has passed,
the interest rate and payment adjusts annually. A Fully Amortizing ARM will
also have a maximum rate that it will not exceed. This calculator uses a maximum
interest rate of 12%. Below is a list of the most common types of Fully Amortizing
ARMs.
| Common Adjustable Rate Mortgages |
| 10/1 ARM |
Fixed for 120 months, adjusts annually for the remaining
term of the loan. |
| 7/1 ARM |
Fixed for 84 months, adjusts annually for
the remaining term of the loan. |
| 5/1 ARM |
Fixed for 60 months, adjusts annually for the remaining
term of the loan. |
| 3/1 ARM |
Fixed for 36 months, adjusts annually for
the remaining term of the loan. |
| 1 year ARM |
Fixed for 12 months, adjusts annually for the remaining
term of the loan. |
Interest Only ARM
An Interest Only ARM only requires monthly interest payments.
Since you are not paying any principal, as you are with the other two types
of mortgages described above, this can lower your monthly payment. However,
since your mortgage's principal balance is not decreased, you will have a balloon
payment at the end of the mortgage's term. Like a Fully Amortizing ARM, an
Interest Only ARM will often have a period where the interest rate is fixed,
and then it is adjusted annually. An Interest Only ARM will also have a maximum
interest rate that it will not exceed. This calculator uses a maximum interest
rate of 12%.
Mortgage amount
Expected balance for your mortgage.
Term in years
The number of years over which you will repay this mortgage.
The most common mortgage terms are 15 years and 30 years. Please note that
for the Interest Only ARM you will have a balloon payment for the entire principal
balance at the end of the loan term.
Expected rate change
The annual adjustment you expect in your ARM. The range
for this calculator is minus 3% to plus 3%. Use a negative value if you believe
interest rates will decrease, a positive value if you believe they will increase.
Interest rate
Annual interest rate for each mortgage type. Typically an ARM
will have a lower interest rate than a fixed rate mortgage. The rate of an
Interest Only ARM will vary by lender.
Months rate fixed
This is the number of months the rate is fixed for an ARM.
During this period the interest rate and the monthly payment will remain fixed.
The rate will then adjust annually by the expected rate change.
Interest rate cap
This is the maximum interest rate for this mortgage. The
mortgage's interest rate will never exceed the interest rate cap.
Monthly payment
Monthly principal and interest payment (PI) for the Fixed Rate
Mortgage and the Fully Amortizing ARM. This is an interest only payment for
an Interest Only ARM.
Information and interactive calculators are made available to you as self-help
tools for your independent use and are not intended to provide investment advice.
We can not and do not guarantee their applicability or accuracy in regards
to your individual circumstances. All examples are hypothetical and are for
illustrative purposes. We encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified
professionals regarding all personal finance issues.
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