Fixed Rate Mortgages: Pros and Cons

The fixed rate mortgage has a long history and is considered the standard of home loan financing instruments

. Long before the adjustable rate mortgage came along the fixed rate mortgage was being used and is still being used by many home buyers. There is a reason for that loyalty.

One of the major advantages to using a fixed rate mortgage is that home buyers know almost to the penny what their monthly home payment will be over the course of the loan. This is in stark contrast to how adjustable rate loans act.

Along with the knowledge of what the monthly home payment will be during the course of the loan, fixed rate mortgage borrowers also have more emotional security than those using ARM's. A borrower under an adjustable rate mortgage may have no idea what the payments for the home will be in future and, in some cases, this can lead to huge problems later on. Some ARM interest increases can be so high that the home owner cannot make the payment and may have to go into foreclosure, losing the home and the equity that has been built up in the home. Fixed rate borrowers seldom have to face this dilemma.

One of the disadvantages to a fixed rate mortgage is that it can be somewhat harder to get than an adjustable rate mortgage for some buyers who have less than excellent credit. This is not always the case, but, in general, lenders are more apt to work with good credit buyers in the fixed rate arena.

Another disadvantage to the fixed rate mortgage is that if interest rates in general drop, the fixed rate borrower may end up paying more than others are paying who are locked in at the lower rate. The only real way to adjust a fixed rate mortgage is to refinance, which can be costly to the home owner. In some cases, however, a refinance is a very good idea and fixed rate buyers should look into it.

Fixed rate mortgages are also somewhat limited in their scope. What this means is that you may find that you have fewer options with a fixed rate than you might have with an adjustable rate mortgage. This should not be considered a disadvantage, though, because there are only so many things that a bank or mortgage lender can do with a fixed rate loan program.

As mentioned above, a fixed rate mortgage is a well defined and easy to understand method of financing a home. Buyers who want to know what their payments will be during the course of the loan should seriously consider using this type of financing. One only needs to look at the news from time to time to see how volatile the adjustable rate market can be for home owners. If your credit is fairly good and you plan to stay in the home for a long period of time, a fixed rate mortgage may be the best deal for you and your family.

Fixed Rate Mortgages: Pros and Cons

By: Jonathan Sin

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