A fixed-rate loan features the same payment over the life of the loan. The property tax and homeowners insurance which are almost always part of the payment will increase over time, but in general, payment amounts on fixed rate loans change little over the life of the loan.

During the early amortization period of a fixed-rate loan, a large percentage of your monthly payment goes toward interest, and a much smaller part toward principal. As you pay on the loan, more of your payment is applied to principal.

You can choose a fixed-rate loan to lock in a low rate. People select these types of loans when interest rates are low and they want to lock in at this low rate. For homeowners who have an ARM now, refinancing with a fixed-rate loan can offer more monthly payment stability. If you currently have an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM), we can help you lock in a fixed-rate at a good rate. Call Superior Mortgage Services, Inc. at 513-474-0899 for details.

There are many types of Adjustable Rate Mortgages. ARMs usually adjust twice a year, based on various indexes.

The majority of ARMs feature this cap, so they won’t increase above a certain amount in a given period. Some ARMs can’t adjust more than 2% per year, regardless of the underlying interest rate. Your loan may feature a “payment cap” that instead of capping the interest rate directly, caps the amount the monthly payment can increase in one period. Plus, almost all ARM programs feature a “lifetime cap” — the rate won’t exceed the cap amount.

ARMs usually start out at a very low rate that usually increases as the loan ages. You may hear people talking about “3/1 ARMs” or “5/1 ARMs”. In these loans, the initial rate is fixed for three or five years. After this period it adjusts every year. These kinds of loans are fixed for 3 or 5 years, then adjust. Loans like this are usually best for people who anticipate moving in three or five years. These types of adjustable rate programs are best for borrowers who will move before the loan adjusts.

Most borrowers who choose ARMs choose them when they want to take advantage of lower introductory rates and do not plan on remaining in the house for any longer than this introductory low-rate period. ARMs can be risky in a down market because homeowners could be stuck with increasing rates if they can’t sell their home or refinance with a lower property value.