Becoming a homeowner is an incredible milestone that should be celebrated! Once you have decided that you are ready for this next step, it is important to prepare for the critical decisions you will need to make that determine your financing. You will be faced with the question of what type of mortgage is best for you: fixed- or adjustable rate? In this blog, we’re breaking down the key difference between these options to allow you to decide with confidence!

What Is a Fixed-Rate Mortgage?

For a fixed-rate mortgage, the interest rate remains the same throughout the entire term of the loan. This ensures that there is no change in your monthly principal and interest portion of the payments. Real Estate taxes and Insurance premiums typically increase over time. Fixed-rate mortgages provide a sense of security and allow for simplified long-term budgeting.

One of the key benefits of a fixed-rate mortgage is that it safeguards borrowers from interest rate hikes that can cause monthly payments to increase. Besides, understanding how fixed-rate mortgages function is easier when compared to adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs).

One possible drawback of fixed-rate mortgages kicks in when interest rates are high. In addition, since the interest rate on the mortgage remains the same, you will not benefit from any cuts. You always have the option to refinance down the road if interest rates drop, but keep in mind that you will face closing costs. After refinancing, you have a new loan.

The total interest you end up paying throughout the course of the loan depends on its term. The most common loan terms include 10, 20, and 30 years. If you’re looking to pay off your mortgage aggressively, a 10-year term is best for you. However, the monthly payments will be much higher than if you choose a 30-year term. The longer the term, the more you will pay in interest. You can make additional principal payments during the term of the loan to shorten the total term and interest paid.

What Is an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage?

As the name implies, the interest rate on an adjustable-rate mortgage is subject to change based on the market. Lenders rely on two basic numbers to determine which way they need to adjust their interest rates. These include the index rate and the margin.

  • Index rate. The index rate is a benchmark that has a direct bearing on your ARM’s interest rate. Some of the factors that affect the index rate include treasury yields, the Cost of Funds Index (COFI), the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), and the prime rate.
  • Margin. The margin is the mark-up that a lender adds to the index rate and it accounts for the risk the lender is willing to take to grant you a loan.