SOME THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT
ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGES
While ARM
financing has dwindled in popularity, loans are still available
The Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) is a flexible loan instrument. An
Adjustable Rate Mortgage is one in which the interest rate and the monthly payments
may be adjusted periodically to correspond with changes in a selected index.
Although the terms of any one loan may vary considerably from another, there
are several common characteristics of practically any adjustable rate
financing. The following is an attempt to help you understand the
"language of ARM's".
INTEREST RATE ADJUSTMENTS: Adjustments to the interest rate must
reflect the movement of a single, specific index, subject to any rate
adjustment limitations contained in the loan contract.
INDEX: Most common indexes are Treasury Bills, Treasury Securities,
11th District Cost of Funds or LIBOR (London Inter Bank Offered Rate). Each
index is any indicator of current economic conditions that guides lenders in
their interest rate adjustments. While claims are made as to which index is the
most stable under certain conditions, you can satisfy yourself by examining the
recent history of each index over the past three years or so.
MARGIN: The margin is the percentage amount added to the index at
each adjustment period to determine the new interest rate to be paid by the
borrower. Sometimes known as the "differential" or
"spread", the margin is established by each individual lender based
on their estimated expenses and profit goals. While the margin in any given
loan remains constant, in relation to the index, for the life of the loan,
margins between loans can and do vary.
MONTHLY PAYMENT ADJUSTMENTS: Another flexible feature of an ARM is
that the monthly payment amount may be increased or decreased by the lender to
reflect changes in the interest rate. The frequency with which such adjustments
can occur is determined by the specific terms of the ARM loan acquired by the
borrower.
THE CAP: Most loans have a limitation on the amount by which the
payment and/or the interest rate can change at any single adjustment. The most
frequently used "cap rates" are:
a.) 1% every six months or 2% per year maximum adjustment on interest rate at
any one adjustment period; or
b.) 7.5% adjustment on the payment rate at any one adjustment period.
Additionally, there is a maximum rate change that may occur over the full life
of the loan, currently between 4 and 6 percent, depending upon the initial
start rate. Borrowers are cautioned against over emphasis on this maximum interest
rate figure since, in most instances, depending upon the stability of the index
and market adjustments, the maximum rate is unlikely to occur.
In those cases where a borrower accepts a payment cap, there can be a
difference between the amount due and the amount actually paid. This difference
is known as "deferred interest" or "negative amortization"
and is added to the balance of the loan. A good understanding of all the loan
characteristics is necessary prior to a final judgment of any deferred interest
situation.
NOTICE OF PAYMENT ADJUSTMENTS: The lender will send you a notice of
an adjustment to the payment amount usually 30 but not more than 45 days before
it becomes effective. This notice will contain the date and amount of payment
adjustment, loan balance, change in index and interest rate, change in
principal loan balance and other related information such as who you could
contact for further information and clarification. It is a good idea to retain
these notices.
PREPAYMENT PENALTY: Most ARMS may be prepaid in whole or in part
without penalty at any time during the term of the loan.
ASSUMABILITY: Many ARM loans may be assumed without change in the
loan terms by a "qualified" borrower acceptable to the lender. There
is usually an assumption fee of approximately 1% based on the then remaining
unpaid principal balance.
The array of Adjustable Rate Mortgages available in today's mortgage market
place has diminished from their hey-day during the sub-prime craze. Should one
opt for an adjustable rte mortgage, be certain the lender explains fully and in
detail the loan characteristics of your selected loan. You do not want any
surprises after the loan process has been completed . . . it is then too late
to make adjustments to the terms.
Why Select an Adjustable Mortgage Loan
NOTE: The “Option Arm” Loan
program that was so popular during the sub-prime boom, has all but disappeared.
While it provided three payment options to the borrower, the lowest payment
option was the one most often selected. This was a Negatively Amortized payment
plan that resulted in sizeable deferred interest being added to the loan
balance each month. Borrowers often acquired 100% financing with this loan and worse
still, qualified at the lowest payment amount. When real estate values adjusted
downward, there was little if any equity contained in the property with which
to allow refinancing. Coupled with the pending adjustment of the ARM portion of
the loan to a much higher rate and accompanying payment, borrowers were
squeezed and unable to either make the higher payments or sell their homes. The
result was a sizeable increase in foreclosures. Many borrowers discovered that
they had merely rented their homes for a few years before having to abandon
them to the lending institutions via foreclosure. No wonder, this financing
option has virtually disappeared!
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