| Loan Program | Advantages | Disadvantages |
Fixed Rate Mortgages
- 30 year fixed
- 20 Year Fixed
- 15 year fixed
- 10 Year Fixed
|
- Monthly payments are fixed over the life of the loan
- Interest rate does not change
- Protected if rates go up
- Can refinance if rates go down
|
- Higher interest rate
- Higher mortgage payments
- Rate does not drop if interest rates improve
- Pays off loan fast
- Past off loan very fast
|
|
| Loan Program | Advantages | Disadvantages |
Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARM)
- 10/1 ARM
- 5/1 ARM
- 3/1 ARM
- 1 year ARM
|
- Lower initial monthly payment
- Rates and payments may go down if rates improve
- May qualify for higher loan amounts
- 30 year term, no balloon payment
|
- More risk
- Payments may change over time
- Potential for higher payments if rates increase
|
|
| Loan Program | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Balloon Mortgages
|
- Lower initial monthly payment
- Lower payment for a predetermined period of time
- Many balloon mortgages offer the option to convert to a new loan after the initial term
|
- Risk of rates being higher at the end of the initial fixed period
- Risk of foreclosure if you cannot make balloon payment, refinance, or exercise the conversion option
- Balloon payment requires you to sell or refinance after the term, as opposed to a 7/1 or 5/1 program with a 30 year term
|
|
| Loan Program | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| First Time Buyer Programs |
- Lower down payment
- Easier to qualify
- Lower rates may be available
|
- May be subject to income and property value limitations
- Some government subsidized programs may generate a recapture tax if you sell the house too soon
- Education courses may be required to qualify for these loans
|
|
| Loan Program | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Stated Income Programs |
- Don't need to verify income
- Faster approval
- Good for borrowers who may not qualify with a full income documentation program
|
- Higher rates
- Higher down payment
|
|
| Loan Program | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Interest Only Programs |
- You have several payment options
- Lower monthly payments
- Qualify for a higher loan amount
- Qualify at the interest only payment
- Option to pay the full normal payment
- Interest only payments for up to ten years
|
- Higher rates
- Principal loan balance will not decrease during the interest only payment period
- Payment will be higher for the remaining term
|
|
| Loan Program | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| No point, No fee Programs |
- No out-of-pocket loan costs at closing
- Closing costs are paid from the lender rebate
- Less money required to close
- Refinance without increasing your loan amount
|
- Higher rates
- Higher payments
- Some lenders may have a short payoff penalty which is usually charged to the loan broker, but may be passed on to you
- Some require a prepayment penalty for the first one to five years
|
|
| Loan Program | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Imperfect Credit Programs |
- Potential for reestablishing credit if you pay your mortgage on time
- When used for debt consolidation, you may be able to reduce your monthly debt payment
|
- Higher rates
- Terms may not be as favorable
- Harder to get long-term fixed loans
- Loans may have prepayment penalties
|
|
| Loan Program | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Private Financing Ability to obtain loan High costs-high rate |
| Loan Program | Advantages | Disadvantages |
