Welcome > Resources > Mortgage Calculators > Fixed or Adjustable Rate ...

Fixed or Adjustable Rate?

A fixed rate mortgage has the same payment for the entire term of the loan. An adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) has a rate that can change, causing your monthly payment to increase or decrease. Use this calculator to compare a fixed rate mortgage to two types of ARMs, a Fully Amortizing ARM and an Interest Only ARM.

Definitions

Fixed Rate Mortgage

A fixed rate mortgage has the same interest rate and monthly payment throughout the term of the mortgage. The payment is calculated to payoff the mortgage balance at the end of the term. The most common terms are 15 year and 30 years.

Fully Amortizing ARM

This is the most common type of ARM. The monthly payment is calculated to payoff the entire mortgage balance at the end of the term. The term is typically 30 years. After any fixed interest rate period has passed, the interest rate and payment adjusts annually. A Fully Amortizing ARM will also have a maximum rate that it will not exceed. This calculator uses a maximum interest rate of 12%. Below is a list of the most common types of Fully Amortizing ARMs.

Common Adjustable Rate Mortgages
ARM Type	Months Fixed
10/1 ARM	Fixed for 120 months, adjusts annually for the remaining term of the loan.
7/1 ARM	Fixed for 84 months, adjusts annually for the remaining term of the loan.
5/1 ARM	Fixed for 60 months, adjusts annually for the remaining term of the loan.
3/1 ARM	Fixed for 36 months, adjusts annually for the remaining term of the loan.
1 year ARM	Fixed for 12 months, adjusts annually for the remaining term of the loan.

Interest Only ARM

An Interest Only ARM only requires monthly interest payments. Since you are not paying any principal, as you are with the other two types of mortgages described above, this can lower your monthly payment. However, since your mortgage's principal balance is not decreased, you will have a balloon payment at the end of the mortgage's term. Like a Fully Amortizing ARM, an Interest Only ARM will often have a period where the interest rate is fixed, and then it is adjusted annually. An Interest Only ARM will also have a maximum interest rate that it will not exceed. This calculator uses a maximum interest rate of 12%.

Mortgage amount

Expected balance for your mortgage.

Term in years

The number of years over which you will repay this mortgage. The most common mortgage terms are 15 years and 30 years. Please note that for the Interest Only ARM you will have a balloon payment for the entire principal balance at the end of the loan term.

Expected rate change

The annual adjustment you expect in your ARM. The range for this calculator is minus 3% to plus 3%. Use a negative value if you believe interest rates will decrease, a positive value if you believe they will increase.

Interest rate

Annual interest rate for each mortgage type. Typically an ARM will have a lower interest rate than a fixed rate mortgage. The rate of an Interest Only ARM will vary by lender.

Months rate fixed

This is the number of months the rate is fixed for an ARM. During this period the interest rate and the monthly payment will remain fixed. The rate will then adjust annually by the expected rate change.

Interest rate cap

This is the maximum interest rate for this mortgage. The mortgage's interest rate will never exceed the interest rate cap.

Monthly payment

Monthly principal and interest payment (PI) for the Fixed Rate Mortgage and the Fully Amortizing ARM. This is an interest only payment for an Interest Only ARM.

The mortgage calculators are provided by KJE Computer Solutions, LLC and made available to NUMBER1EXPERT as self-help tools for your independent use and are not intended to provide investment advice. We can't guarantee their applicability or accuracy in regards to your individual circumstances. All examples are hypothetical and are for illustrative purposes. We encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding all personal finance issues.

"A model of how the Internet can facilitate the process of deciding where to send your children to school" - America's Best School Profiles by The Heritage Foundation Virginia Public, Private and Charter Schools: Compare them using these top-rated, comprehensive reports.   Schools in Culpeper, Warrenton and Northern Virginia

Buyers Remorse >First Time Buyers People who are selling their homes should know something about the market group from which their buyers are likely to appear. Many homes are perfect for a first-time buyer. First-time buyers are making a major purchase they have never attempted before, and may be unusually subject to the inevitable stress and anxiety that goes with buying a home. First-time home buyers are usually younger (between 25 and 34 years of age) and have distinct buying patterns. First-timers are often looking for homes that are smaller, and perhaps older, than repeat buyers. The median home size for first-time buyers is about 1450 square feet. Approximately four in ten first-timers will buy homes built before 1960, compared to two in ten repeat buyers. First-time buyers are in the process of developing a clearly defined sense of what they want in a house. They may not have enough money to buy their ultimate dream home at first, but seventy-four percent say they like their new home better than their previous residence. See All Tips In The "Buyers Remorse" Category > See Complete Library Of Hundreds Of Tips In 30+ Categories >

Q  What is the earliest residential building that remains in Manhattan? A  Fraunces Tavern, built in 1719, is where George Washington delivered his Farewell Address to his officers in 1783. See More Real Estate Trivia >

Beverly & James Herdman "We Bring Wine Country Home" Re/Max Regency 403 Holiday Ct Warrenton, VA 20186 Office:: 540-341-8925 Beverly Cell: 703-969-4280 James Cell: 703-969-3812 Fax: 540-937-9002 Email: beverlyherdman@number1expert.com The Herdmans are absolute professionals. With their outstanding experience and dedication, upbeat personalities, and excellent communication and negotiation skills, they are the ideal team to guide you in discovering, and acquiring, your dream home. We Bring Wine Country Home. www.HomesthatMoveU.com is brought to you by Beverly and James Herdman NUMBER1EXPERT™ in real estate for Culpeper, Warrenton and Northern Virginia, Virginia, foreclosures and luxury properties Read Beverly and James Herdman's Privacy Guarantee, Terms of Service, and Free & Without Obligation Pledge

NUMBER1EXPERT™
© Best Image Marketing and/or its clients.
All rights reserved. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.