What is the PayOption ARM?
Imagine an adjustable rate mortgage that allows you to pick one of four payment options on your monthly mortgage bill. It is an ARM on which the interest rate adjusts monthly and the payment adjusts annually, with borrowers offered options on how large a payment they will make. The options include interest-only, and a "minimum" payment that may be less than the interest-only payment. The minimum payment option results in a growing loan balance, termed "negative amortization". How Will I Know an Option ARM When I See One? Ask the loan officer if the mortgage has more than oe payment option. Does the rate adjusts monthly, and if negative amortization is allowed. If the answer to both questions is "yes", you almost certainly have an Option ARM. Their names are all over the map and include "1 Month Option Arm", "12 MTA Pay Option ARM," "Pick a Payment Loan", "1-Month MTA", "Cash Flow Option Loan", and "Pay Option ARM". What Are the Advantages of an Option ARM? Their main selling point is the low minimum payment in year 1. It is calculated at the interest rate in month 1, which can be as low as 1%, and it rises by only 7.5 % a year for some years.
The low initial payment allows borrowers to buy a more expensive home than they would be able to afford. Other reasons are to use the monthly payment savings for other purposes, like: paying down the principle, and amortizing credit card debt. Be aware that they seldom explain the risks. What's Are the Risks of an Option ARM? For those electing the minimum payment option, the major risk is "payment shock" ? a sudden and sharp increase in the payment for which they are not prepared.
The rule that the minimum payment can rise by no more than 7.5% a year has two exceptions. The first is that every 5 or 10 years the payment must be "recast" to become fully-amortizing. It is raised to the amount that will pay off the loan within the remaining term at the then current interest rate ? regardless of how large an increase in payment is required.
The second exception is that the loan balance cannot exceed a negative amortization maximum, which can range from 110% to 125% of the original loan balance. If the balance hits the negative amortization maximum, which can happen before 5 years have elapsed if interest rates have gone up, the payment is immediately raised to the fully amortizing level.
Either the recast provision or the negative amortization cap can result in serious payment shock. That is why I tell my clients that unless you have a financial plan for paying the minimum payment, always pay the Interest Only Option or higher. How Do I Protect Myself Against The Risks? First of all, if you can't maintain financial discipline do not engage in this type of loan. You will be tempted to pay the minimum payment from day one. When it recasts, you will be stuck between a rock and a hard place. If you have sound financial principles, and can adhere to them, go for it. Make sure your loan officer discloses the margin. The lower the margin, the lower your cost and your vulnerability to payment shock. You can also minimize the risk by taking the highest initial payment you can afford. The higher your initial payment, the smaller the potential payment shock down the road. Terell Jones, Sr. Loan Officer, Group Manager Terell Jones has been a successful mortgage professional for several years. He leads a team of loan officers with 1st American Mortgage, Inc. in McLean, Virginia. http://www.Mortgage1234.com
Related News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Getting The Best Home Equity Loan
Owing to the popularity of home equity loans, there are numerous lending agencies offering a variety of mortgage products. A bad choice of mortgage can lead to disastrous effects, as there is a risk involved of foreclosure and losing one's home. Hence it becomes necessary to secure the best loan possible.
Poor Credit Mortgage Reigns High Among Mortgages Available to Bad Credit Borrowers
Like a big brother keeping notes of the erring behaviour of his younger sibling, credit reference agencies like Experian and Equifax maintain a record of each person entering into credit transaction. While a few instances of arrears are considered admissible, as the incidence of bad credit behaviour increases, creditors start considering these as a lack of reliability. These people are termed as having a bad credit history.
Thinking About Refinancing Your Loan?
Refinancing your home or property is a big decision that could drastically affect your financial future, for the good or the bad, depending on how smart you go about the process. Take the time to explore all of the different refinancing options you have available to you. Many loan agents offer you refinancing deals that seem too good to be true, and while most of them seem to have your best interests at heart, do try to keep in mind that they are not paid unless they approve you for a loan--and you take it. Refinancing your mortgage can lower your monthly payments, lower the amount of interest you pay on your loan, or even shorten the term of your mortgage without having to pay a penalty for early mortgage pay off.
How to Find the Lowest Rate Possible!
The quest is on! You're in the market for a new home loan, a refinance, or a consolidation and you absolutely insist on finding the lowest rate possible! So what better place to do your research, then here on the internet, late at night, with your coffee in hand, and your family fast to sleep!
A Home Equity Loan - What You Should Know?
Asking yourself, "Is a home equity loan right for me?" is the first and most important step to take.
Refinancing Your Mortgage Can Really Save You Money
Refinancing a mortgage is simply taking out a new mortgage. It means paying off one or more old debts by getting a new loan. Sometimes, refinancing your mortgage can really save you money. You may be able to pay less interest, lower your monthly payment, or convert from a 30-year loan to a 15-year loan and build your equity faster. But be sure that refinancing is right for you.
Avoiding Foreclosure Scams
If your mortgage company is threatening foreclosure, there are things you can do to avoid it (see my article titled "How to Avoid Foreclosure"). However, you should be aware of scams. If there are solutions to your problems that seem too good to be true, they probably are.
Borrow on a Budget: Getting the Cheapest Home Improvement Loans
Getting the cheapest home improvement loans isn't always easy. It can require going to several different lenders for quotes as well as several hours spent comparing the interest rates and terms of several possibilities. All of that work can pay off in the end, though, because the cheapest home improvement loans can save you hundreds or even thousands in the long run.
A Simple Way to Save Thousands on Your Mortgage Charges
How many times do you check you restaurant bill? If not often, I would advise you to do it more, especially when dining on your overseas vacations. Still, much more Americans check their restaurants bill, than the number of homebuyers, who check the charges for their mortgages.
Buy a Home With a Government Grant? Avoid this Scam
If you watch enough late night television, you'll see advertisements that suggest that the Federal Government is giving all kinds of things away. You'll see ads for auctions that promise that you can buy a Ferrari for $500 or a home for $1000 through "government liquidations" or some such thing. You'll also see ads that promise to tell you how you can get money for free to purchase a home. Is this for real? Will Washington provide you with money to purchase a home?
How to Secure the Best Mortgage Deal and Save Yourself Thousands in Interest
When you consider that the average home owner will pay out far more in interest over the lifetime of their mortgage than their home actually cost in the first place, you can see why working to secure yourself the best possible mortgage deal now could save you tens of thousands of dollars in interest over the 25 ? 30 year lifetime of your home loan.
What is a Home Equity Loan?
A home equity loan is a loan that is guaranteed by your home. Are you in urgent need for cash and want to get the same without selling off your home or property? Getting a home equity loan is a good way to do so.
For Mortgage-Refinance Help, Get the Best Mortgage Professional, Not a Bank Loan Officer
When you need a mortgage -- either because you are buying, refinancing, taking out equity or getting into investment real estate, you need a good mortgage professional. Now, you may be tempted to go to your local savings and loan, as they may promise lower fees or zero costs. Meanwhile, in virtually every case, banks can't compete with mortgage professionals on the two most important things -- interest rates and service.
A Mortgage Loan For Homes
Everybody wants to own a house because it is something that portrays your success in life. Some people make some ways on how to own one by considering a lot of things including borrowing money from banks, lending offices and finance institutions. A great option for people who really wants to have an investment is to engage in mortgage. Mortgage is an important thing in having loans. It is essential if you are planning to build a business and have some investments but your budget can't reach the exact amount you need.
Online Mortgage in UK - Introducing the Best Mortgage Plan Across UK
Add the term 'online' and it will open for you an exhaustive assortment of opportunities. Add online to mortgage and it will have the same effect. So many people want to get mortgage programme and get with it fast. The online mortgage in UK indisputably takes lesser time and simplifies the entire procedure. Online mortgages have furthered favourable association of circumstances for any mortgage hopeful in UK.
Mortgage: Rehabilitation Of Financial Helplessness
The term 'mortgage' is assumed really controversial by people when they are contemplating the idea of taking a loan. It is definitely a very simple procedure which is presumed complicated because your home is attached to the term mortgage. In the layman language it is the conditional conveyance of property as a security for the repayment of the loan.
Self Employed Mortgage Loan ? Getting a Mortgage When You?re Self Employed
Being self employed has many benefits. When you are self-employed, you can write off all of your deductions on your taxes. You have the potential to make more income than someone who is employed by someone else. You have the freedom to be your own boss. One of the few times when being self employed has some drawbacks is when you go to get financing for a home or a major purchase. But, here are some things to know that can help you make the mortgage loan process run smoothly when you are self employed.
Be Prepared With Your Home Equity Loan Checklist
A home equity loan can be an excellent way to obtain money in order to pay off high interest bills or consolidate your current debt into one monthly payment. A home equity line of credit is a form of revolving credit in which your home serves as collateral. Because the home is likely to be a consumer's largest asset, many homeowners use their credit lines only for major items such as education, home improvements, or medical bills and not for day-to-day expenses. Additional benefits include a nice tax advantage and the possibility of an overall lower monthly payment. However before you decide that a home equity loan is right for you make sure you do your homework.
UK Mortages: A Guide Through The Maze
Types of UK Mortgages
Mortgage Loan Information - Know The Basics When You Refinance or Purchase a Home
If you are currently looking for a new home, chances are that in all the excitement you won't really give any thought to the type of home loan mortgage you take out, instead going with the first one offered to you. This could be a serious mistake ? costing you thousands, if not tens of thousands. Make sure you know all about the different types of home mortgage loans before you starting looking for that new dream home!
|
