
There are many types of mortgage loans. The two basic types of amortized
loans are the fixed rate mortgage (FRM) and adjustable rate mortgage
(ARM).
In a FRM, the interest rate, and hence monthly payment, remains fixed
for the life (or term) of the loan. In the US, the term is usually for
10, 15, 20, or 30 years. In the UK the fixed term can be as short as
five years, after which the loan reverts to a variable rate (which makes
the loan an ARM).
In an ARM, the interest rate is fixed for a
period of time, after which it will periodically (annually or monthly) adjust
up or down to some market index. Common indices in the US include the
Prime Rate, the LIBOR, and the Treasury Index ("T-Bill").
Other indexes like COFI, COSI, and MTA, are also available but are
less popular.
Adjustable rates transfer part of the interest
rate risk from the lender to the borrower, and thus are widely used where unpredictable interest
rates make fixed rate loans difficult to obtain. Since the risk is transferred,
lenders will usually make the initial interest rate of the ARM's note
anywhere from 0.5% to 2% lower than the average 30-year fixed rate.
In most scenarios, the savings from an ARM outweigh its risks, making
them an attractive option for people who are planning to keep a mortgage
for ten years or less.
A partial amortization or balloon loan is one where the amount of monthly
payments due are calculated (amortized) over a certain term, but the
outstanding principal balance is due at some point short of that term.
A balloon loan can be either a Fixed or Adjustable in terms of the Interest
Rate. Many Second Trust mortgages use this feature. The most common way
of describing a balloon loan uses the terminology X due in Y, where X
is the number of years over which the loan is amortized, and Y is the
year in which the principal balance is due.
Other Mortgage Loan loan types:
- term loan or interest-only loan
- equity loan
- blanket loan
- package loan
- wraparound mortgage
- seasoned mortgage
- reverse mortgage
- budget loan
- deed of trust
- bridge loan
- hard money loan
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