Types of Mortgages and their Benefits

As a potential home buyer, it is of utmost importance to research the types of mortgages in the neighborhoods you want to live. Applying for a home loan can be tricky, and determining which type of mortgage best suits your needs early on will help guide you to the type of home you can afford. Depending on the types of mortgages you qualify for, you can decide from several home loans when you buy property.

The number of mortgage options makes it considerably more crucial to understand the key pros and cons of every mortgage. Depending on the type of mortgage you choose, you will have different needs that impact your rate, the extent of the loan, and your lender. Choosing the right mortgage for your case can lower your down payment and decrease the overall interest payment over the life of your loan.

Types of Mortgages

• Conventional Mortgages

A conventional loan is a loan funded by private financial lenders. Conventional mortgages are the most ordinary type of mortgage. It is because they do not have strict regulations on income, home type, and home location qualifications like other types of loans. Having said that, conventional loans do have stricter regulations on your credit score and your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio.

You can buy a home with as little as 3% down on a conventional mortgage. You will also need a minimum credit score of at least 620 to be eligible for a conventional loan. So, you can leave out buying private mortgage insurance (PMI) if you have a down payment of a minimum of 20%. However, a down payment of less than 20% means you will require to pay for PMI. Mortgage insurance rates are usually lower for conventional loans than other categories of loans.

Pros Of Conventional Mortgages

1. The general borrowing cost after fees and interest inclines to be lower than an unconventional loan.
2. Your down payment can be a minimum of 3% for qualifying loans.

• Fixed-Rate Mortgage

A fixed-rate mortgage has the same interest rate all through the duration of the loan. The amount you pay per month may change due to fluctuations in local tax and insurance rates, but for the most part, fixed-rate mortgages offer you a very reasonable monthly payment.

A fixed interest rate gives you a better idea of how much you will pay each month for your mortgage payment, which can aid your budget and plan for the long term.

Pros Of Fixed-Rate Mortgages

1. Monthly payments do not change over the life of your loan, making it simple to plan a budget.

• Adjustable-Rate Mortgage

The reverse of a fixed-rate mortgage is an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM). ARMs are 30-year loans with interest rates that fluctuate depending on how market rates move.

You initially agree to an introductory period of fixed interest when you sign for an ARM. Your introductory period is generally 5 to 10 years. During this period, you pay a fixed interest rate that is generally lower than market rates. After this period ends, your interest rate changes depending on market interest rates. Your lender will look at a preestablished index to decide how rates are fluctuating. The rate will go up if the index market rates go up. If they go down, the rate goes down as well.

Pros Of Adjustable-Rate Mortgages

1. Gives below-market rates for the early introductory period.

• Government-Backed Loans

Government-backed loans are insured by government organizations. When lenders talk about government-backed loans, they mean three types of loans: FHA, USDA, and VA loans. These loans are less risky for lenders because the insuring body pays the bill if you default. You may have more success getting a government-backed loan if you cannot get a conventional loan.

Pros Of Government-Backed Loans

1. Viable to save on interest and down payments.
2. Less strict qualification requirements than conventional loans.

First-time home buyers have access to several different loan types. The most ordinary type of mortgage is a conforming conventional loan. A conforming loan means that it meets the fundamental qualifications for purchase by mortgage investors. Conforming loans have categorized basis and lower interest rates than other loan types. You may select either a fixed-rate mortgage with an interest rate that remains the same or an adjustable-rate mortgage. 

Adjustable-rate mortgages’ interest rates change as market rates fluctuate. Your credit score, income, debt, and property location impact the home buying process and the type of mortgages you can be eligible for. Connect with Credit My Debt for more details.