Which loan is right for me?
| Loan Program | Advantages | Disadvantages |
Fixed Rate Mortgages
- 30 year fixed
- 15 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
|
|
|
| Loan Program | Advantages | Disadvantages |
Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARM)
- 10/1 ARM
- 7/1 ARM
- 5/1 ARM
- 3/1 ARM
- 1 year ARM
- 6 month ARM
- 1 month 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 |
| First Time Buyer Programs |
- Lower down payment
- Easier to qualify
|
- 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
|
|
| 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
- Must have excellent credit
|
|
| 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 |
| Home Equity Line of Credit |
- You only borrow what you need
- Pay interest only on what you borrow
- Flexible access to funds
- Interest may be tax deductible
- A good source for an emergency fund, if set up in advance
- Can be used for debt consolidation and lower payments
- Rates are usually lower than consumer loan or credit card rates
|
- Rates can change. The maximum interest rate can be relatively high
- Payments can change
- Harder to refinance your first mortgage
|
|
| Loan Program | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Home Equity Fixed Loan |
- Fixed payments
- Interest may be tax deductible
- Get cash out for any purpose
|
- Higher interest rates compared to first mortgage
- Harder to refinance your first mortgage
- Interest is paid on the entire loan amount, compared to an equity line of credit
|
In addition to our standard loan programs, you may benefit by obtaining one of our many special programs:
-
Purchase your home with no down payment using Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) or Lender-paid Mortgage Insurance (MI).
-
Piggyback loans: 80-10-10 or 80-15-5. Avoid PMI payments by using Lender-paid MI.
-
Debt consolidation programs.
|