Mortgage Loans

By MortgageLoan.com

Below we will discuss the different types of mortgage loans and some key points of each one. Before we begin that, we must address rates, a dynamic that transcends all different types of mortgage loans and affects them immensely. But remember, there is only one Mortgage Loan dot com...

Fixed Rates

Over approximately the past four years, the average of 30-year fixed rate mortgage loans has remained below 6.5 percent. While Federal Reserve short term interest rate increases do have an affect on fixed mortgage rates, yields on long term government bonds and fixed rate mortgages are closely tied. Sub 6.5 percent rates will become a financial endangered species as rates move into the upper 6s in the second half of 2006 approaching the ten-year average of 6.9 percent. However, borrowers are still favoring fixed rates mortgages over adjustable rate mortgages because the difference in initial rates is not worth the risk; current 30-year fixed rate averages 6.34 percent, while a 5/1 ARM is 6.08 percent and a one-year ARM is 5.73 percent. You might be asking yourself, Why doesn't everybody have fixed-rate mortgage loans, why take the chance? Some people who can handle rate fluctuations and are willing to play against the odds might see their rates go down if the Federal Reserve does have to lower short term interest rates to stimulate investment even though that does not at all seem likely in the immediate future.

Adjustable Rates

The fluctuations of Adjustable Rate Mortgage loans (ARM) are inexorably linked to short-term interest rates determined by the Federal Reserve. Since Ben Bernanke's takeover as Fed chairman, he continued to move short term interest rates upward to thwart possible inflation; most experts state that he will definitely error on the side of caution - raising rates higher in the foreseeable future. Borrowers already in an ARM mortgage should be bracing for a jump in their payments that in many cases will be quite substantial. The one year Treasury, a common index for adjustable rate mortgages, may top five percent by the time the Fed is done raising interest rates, add on the margin of 2.5 percentage points and many ARM borrowers will be looking at a rate of 7.5 percent. Depending on your loan balance and previous interest rate one simple adjustment can make your monthly payments much more of a burden.

Purchase Loan

So above was all the chatter about how fixed or adjustable rates can greatly affect all types of mortgage loans. Now we will discuss different types of mortgage loans. A purchase loan is a fixed or adjustable rate loan most often coupled with a 30-year term used to buy a new property. There are many different purchase loan programs in the marketplace and also many first time buyer programs favorable to people looking to buy their fist home.

Refinance Loan

A refinance loan is simply a new loan used to pay off your existing loan. Some people get a refinance loan just to lower their interest rate and others enter into a refinance to lower their interest rate and get cash out. Between 2003-2005 rates on mortgage loans hit 40-year lows, which is why the mortgage industry was going absolutely gangbusters at that time. Now, less people are motivated by rates to refinance, even though mortgage rates are still historically very low and conducive to refinancing. Be aware, if you can achieve a lower rate now, you are costing yourself by not doing so. Back to people's motivations, many people who have adjustable-rate mortgages are refinancing into fixed-rate mortgages while fixed rates are still low. Refinance mortgage loans are entirely new loans and carry all the costs associated with setting up a new loan, but if you can get a better rate you will recoup that cost in a few years and it will be savings from there on out.

Home Equity Loan

A home equity loan is a 2nd mortgage on you house and not a refinance of your original loan. Home equity loans usually have a slightly higher rate of interest than refinance mortgage loans because they are exactly what they are titled - a 2nd mortgage loan and are second inline to be paid out in the event a borrow defaults. Traditional 2nd mortgage loans give you access to a fixed amount of money to be paid back in a certain amount of time at a fixed rate.

Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)

A home equity line of credit is a loan that gives you access to credit against equity in your home. With a line of credit everything is flexible, including the interest rate. You are given a limit by the lender for the amount you can withdraw and you are able to draw out that money during a specific draw period. A HELOC is best if you need money over period of time and you can handle fluctuations in your monthly payments.