• 30 year fixed
• 15 year fixed

• Monthly payments are fixed over the life of the loan
• Interest rate does not change
• Protected if rates go up
• Can refinance if rates go down

• Higher interest rate
• Higher mortgage payments
• Rate does not drop if interest rates improve

• 10/1 ARM
• 7/1 ARM
• 3/1 ARM
• 1 year ARM
• 6 month ARM
• 1 month ARM

• Lower initial monthly payment
• Lower payment over a shorter period of time
• Rates and payments may go down if rates improve
• May qualify for higher loan amounts

• More risk
• Payment may change over time
• Potential for high payments if rates go up

Balloon Mortgages

•   Lower initial monthly payment
• Lower payment over a shorter period of time
• Many balloon mortgages offer the option to convert to a new loan after the initial term.

• Risk of rates being higher at the end of the initial fixed period
• Risk of foreclosure if you cannot make balloon payment or if you cannot refinance or if you cannot exercise the conversion option

• Lower down payment
• Easier to qualify
• Sometimes you may get lower rates

• May be subject to income and property value limitations
• Some programs which have government subsidies may have a recapture tax if you sell the house too early.

• Don’t need to verify income
• Faster approval

• Higher rates
• Higher down payment

• No closing costs
• Less money required to close

• Higher rates
• Higher payments

• Potential for reestablishing credit if you pay your mortgage on time.
• When used for debt consolidation, you may be able to reduce your monthly debt payment

• Higher rates
• Terms may not be as favorable
• Harder to get long term fixed loans
• Loans may have prepayment penalties

• You only borrow what you need
• Pay interest only on what you borrow
• Flexible access to funds
• Interest may be tax deductible

• Rates can change. The maximum interest rate is normally high.
• Payments can change
• Harder to refinance your first mortgage

• Fixed payments
• Interest may be tax deductible

• Higher interest rates than on 1^st mortgages
• Harder to refinance your first mortgage