Should You Refinance Your Home Loan With Adjustable Rate Mortgage?

Refinancing your mortgage is a great way to grab a better interest rate. Have you done that yet? If you are still not aware of the refinancing options, you are losing out on some good savings. Rates have been almost hitting the rock-bottom these days, and several homeowners are cashing in on this opportunity. However, before you jump in the bandwagon, develop a better idea of what an adjustable-rate mortgage is all about, why should you avail it, whether it’s risky, and of course, whether it would benefit your situation or not. Go through the points below.

What is an ARM or an Adjustable Rate Mortgage?

An adjustable-rate mortgage happens to be a 30-year loan that has a variable rate post a certain period. The 5/1 ARM is one of the most popular options. The 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage implies that the rate remains the same for five years. After that period, the rate continues to vary every year. This will apply throughout the length of the remaining period for the term of 25 years.

If it’s a 10/1 ARM, the lock period for this interest rate is ten years. The adjustments happen every year until the time you repay the loan completely. The rate of interest tends to vary once a year with regards to the two popular ARMs. However, interest adjustment for other ARMs like 5/5 ARM happens over five years rather than once a year.

Why Do You Need to Refinance With an Adjustable Rate Mortgage?

The 30-year mortgage is the standard one and has a fixed interest rate. Therefore, there is a fixed payment amount that you need to pay for the entire duration of your loan. You would be in peace, and the feeling is incredible if you don’t have to cope with an increase in the payment every month. However, some people choose an ARM since the rate of interest is comparatively lower. People generally live in a particular home for a minimum period of five to five and a half years.

Hence, an individual would automatically have a different kind of mortgage when adjustments to interest rates happen. You would find also find people who cut off the risk associated with the ARM rate creeping up by opting to refinance into a separate mortgage before the interest rate changes. Well, they have a danger here. The rate for which they refinance your mortgage might get higher than the original rate. However, they are willing to take the risk as there is a high probability that the rates will either remain fixed or even come down.

Are ARMs Risky?

In case the interest rate continues to creep higher, it would spell doom for you. It becomes riskier when you are unable to repay the loan and want to stay fixed at your position. If that is the case, then availing a 30-year mortgage with a fixed rate is a better option. Adjustable-Rate Mortgage has a locked rate, but usually, the rate is around 5% higher than what the original rate is. But you have to remember that you have been shelling out a comparatively lower payment every month throughout the first few years.

This implies that you are better off in your initial term as well as shortly just after there is an adjustment in the interest rate. The lead that you have would come down if rates continue to rise. Therefore, you can’t afford to take a lot of time before refinancing. If you delay, you might fall into trouble.

Should You Opt for an ARM?

The first step should be to realize if refinancing is the appropriate step for you or not. Since the rates of interest have hit an all-time low, you definitely can opt for a refinance if you want to save a good sum of money. Getting a nice interest rate on your loan is vital when you have large loans to pay off over a longer period.

When you are considering loan options, always consult the lender and find out whether the adjustable-rate mortgage would be appropriate for your kind of situation. That way, you would avoid shelling out more money than you should! Avoiding excess payments is the first step to saving money and being financially secure!