Financially Speaking, Fixed Rate Mortgages Are The Best
When you are purchasing a new house, you will have to choose between a fixed rate mortgage or an adjustable rate mortgage. Knowing which one to pick can be confusing, but if you do your research you will find that a fixed rate mortgage is the best option. There are numerous reasons for this, but the main one is because it is a safer option. Not only that, but a fixed rate mortgage comes with a lot of benefits that are too good to miss out on. You have to be careful when it comes to a mortgage, as explained on http://fixingfinances.com/debt/upside-down-car-loan/, it's ok to go into an upside down car loan on your vehicle, but to go upside down on your mortgage is not good at all.
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A fixed rate mortgage is a loan in which the interest rate remains the same throughout the duration of the loan. This differs from an adjustable rate mortgage because you will never have to worry about interest rates raising or floating. The principal and interest will remain the same month after month so you will always know how to calculate the payments. This will also make the loan easier for you to comprehend.
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The monthly payment of a fixed rate mortgage is determined by three different values. These are the compounding frequency, amount of the loan, as well as the term of the mortgage. With this type of loan, you will pay a fixed amount every month and it will last through the term of the mortgage. This is to ensure that you pay the loan in full, as well as all of the interest by the time that the mortgage has reached its end.
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The length of a fixed rate mortgage varies, but the most common terms are 15-year and 30-year ones. If you do not like either of these lengths, shorter ones are available. Not only that, but in some places you can even get a larger one. Typically, you will find the larger terms in areas that have extremely high-priced housing. However, it is also important to keep in mind that longer term mortgages are going to end up being more expensive than short-term ones. This is due to the fact that they almost always come with a higher interest rate.
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When you are first choosing a mortgage, it is best to stick with a fixed rate. This is because adjustable rate mortgages can change interest rates at any time. For instance, when you are first signing up for a 30-year term, the interest rates may be at an all-time low. However, the chances are likely that the interest rate is going to raise sometime within that 30-year period. Due to this, you are probably going to end up paying more per month then you originally started out with. Therefore, fixed rate mortgages are a better and safer option.
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Once you have decided to choose a fixed rate mortgage, you will need to determine how long of a loan to get. More than likely, this will leave it so you are debating between a 15-year term and a 30-year term. Each one has advantages and disadvantages that you will want to take into consideration before making a final choice.
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In terms of a 15-year loan, the main advantage is that the interest rates are going to be lower than they are with a 30-year loan. Not only that, but the overall interest that you will pay will also be significantly less than it would be if you got a longer loan. It is also a great way to build equity because everything is done in a quicker amount of time. Unfortunately, it also has a few disadvantages. For one thing, your monthly payments are likely to be higher than they would be if you chose a 30-year term. This may also restrict how big of a house you buy because you will want to be able to afford the higher house payments.
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With a 30-year mortgage, the main advantage is that the monthly payments are going to be a lot lower than they would be if you chose a 15-year term. This also comes in handy because you can use the extra money that you would have spent to invest and make some extra profit. Along with that, you can deduct more at tax time. This is due to the fact that people with higher interest rates are able to deduct more on their taxes when the time comes.
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Despite all of that, it also comes with some disadvantages. First, you are going to build equity at a slower pace. This is because during the first couple of years of the loan, your monthly payments primarily go toward the interest instead of the principal. Also, your interest rate is going to be higher. This in turn means that you are going to pay a lot more on interest throughout the term then you would with a shorter term mortgage.
Even with the disadvantages of each length of term, a fixed rate mortgage is still the best option to choose. It is a stable mortgage no matter how long or short your term is. When you are purchasing a house, especially your first house, you will want to choose a mortgage that will allow you to predict your monthly expenses. A fixed rate mortgage is the best way to do that.
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There are different benefits that come with a fixed rate mortgage. These are guaranteed bonuses that you will not get with an adjustable rate mortgage. So, if you are having a difficult time making a choice between mortgage types, make sure to take these benefits into consideration.
First, with a fixed rate mortgage you get protection from inflation. Not only that, but your interest rate also stays the same. This is good to have in the event that interest rates dramatically rise. Another benefit is that it is low risk and helps you plan for long-term. Since you know how much you will be paying each month, you are able to save money and plan for other expenses ahead of time. Besides all of that, most mortgage companies even allow you to make additional payments without being penalized. This way, you can get ahead and lower your interest charges.