This "traditional" type of loan maintains its original interest rate throughout the entire life of the loan. Any change in monthly loan payments will be due to increases in other charges like insurance or taxes that will naturally occur over time. Fluctuations in market rates, over the term of your loan, won't have any impact on the amount of interest you pay because that rate is already "fixed." A Fixed Rate Mortgage loan may be a good choice if you:
- Want the security of knowing your interest rate will not change, nor will your monthly payment, unless property tax and insurance amounts change
- Plan to stay in this home for several years
- You don't expect your income to increase significantly in the coming years
Fixed rate Mortgage Loans come in various terms such as 10, 15, 20 or 30 years. In determining the length of your loan, you may want to consider:
- Total amount of interest you want to pay over the course of your loan
- For example, the total cost of a 30-year loan in terms of the interest paid on the loan is higher than the total cost of a 10, 15, or 20-year loan. With a 30-year loan, you have the advantage of lower monthly payments due to the longer loan term.
- With a 15-year loan, you have the advantage of repaying the loan more quickly with higher monthly loan payments.
- Your ability to make high monthly payment
- If you can afford to pay more per month, you reduce the number of months you have to pay. Also, choosing a 15-year term will save you thousands in interest charges vs. the typical 30 year term
Another option to decrease the amount of interest you pay is to get a 30-year loan, so you don't lock yourself into higher monthly payments, but pay a little "extra" each month towards the principal when you are able to do so.
Nonconforming 15 Yr Fixed Rate
Best Choice If:Flat monthly payments for the duration of the loan. | Advantages:Consistent monthly payments. | Disadvantages:Higher interest rate than available for some other loan options. |
Nonconforming 20 Yr Fixed Rate
Best Choice If:Flat monthly payments for the duration of the loan. | Advantages:Consistent monthly payments. | Disadvantages:Higher interest rate than available for some other loan options. |
Nonconforming 30 Yr Fixed Rate
Best Choice If:Flat monthly payments for the duration of the loan. | Advantages:Consistent monthly payments. | Disadvantages:Higher interest rate than available for some other loan options. |
Conv 10 Yr Fixed Rate (FN)
Best Choice If:Flat monthly payments for the duration of the loan. | Advantages:Consistent monthly payments. | Disadvantages:Lower interest rate than available for some other loan options. |
Conv 10 Yr 1st Time Homebuyer
Best Choice If:Flat monthly payments for the duration of the loan. You have limited funds to invest in a down payment and you are a first time home buyer. | Advantages:Consistent monthly payments. | Disadvantages:Lower interest rate than available for some other loan options. |
Conv 15 Yr 1st Time Homebuyer
Best Choice If:Flat monthly payments for the duration of the loan. You have limited funds to invest in a down payment and you are a first time home buyer. | Advantages:Consistent monthly payments. | Disadvantages:Lower interest rate than available for some other loan options. |
Conv 20 Yr 1st Time Homebuyer
Best Choice If:Flat monthly payments for the duration of the loan. You have limited funds to invest in a down payment and you are a first time home buyer. | Advantages:Consistent monthly payments. | Disadvantages:Lower interest rate than available for some other loan options. |
Conv 30 Yr 1st Time Homebuyer
Best Choice If:Flat monthly payments for the duration of the loan. You have limited funds to invest in a down payment and you are a first time home buyer. | Advantages:Consistent monthly payments. | Disadvantages:Lower interest rate than available for some other loan options. |
Conv 15 Yr Fixed Rate (FN)
Best Choice If:Flat monthly payments for the duration of the loan. | Advantages:Consistent monthly payments. | Disadvantages:Higher interest rate than available for some other loan options. |
Conv 20 Yr Fixed Rate (FN)
Best Choice If:Flat monthly payments for the duration of the loan. | Advantages:Consistent monthly payments. | Disadvantages:Higher interest rate than available for some other loan options. |
Conv 25 Yr Fixed Rate (FN)
Best Choice If:Flat monthly payments for the duration of the loan. | Advantages:Consistent monthly payments. | Disadvantages:Higher interest rate than available for some other loan options. |
Conv 30 Yr Fixed Rate (FN)
Best Choice If:Flat monthly payments for the duration of the loan. | Advantages:Consistent monthly payments. | Disadvantages:Higher interest rate than available for some other loan options. |
FHA 30 Year Fixed Rate
Best Choice If:Flat monthly payments for the duration of the loan. | Advantages:Consistent monthly payments. | Disadvantages:Higher interest rate than available for some other loan options. |
FHA 20 Year Fixed Rate
Best Choice If:Flat monthly payments for the duration of the loan. | Advantages:Consistent monthly payments. | Disadvantages:Higher interest rate than available for some other loan options. |
FHA 25 Year Fixed Rate
Best Choice If:Flat monthly payments for the duration of the loan. | Advantages:Consistent monthly payments. | Disadvantages:Higher interest rate than available for some other loan options. |
Conv 30 Yr HomeReady
Best Choice If:- Flat monthly payments for the duration of the loan.
- You have limited funds to invest in a down payment.
| Advantages:- Fixed interest rate.
- Level principal and interest payments for the full term of the loan.
- No risk that changing market conditions will increase your monthly payments.
- Closing costs can come from your own funds, a gift, grant or other permitted sources.
- Reduced private mortgage insurance (PMI).
| Disadvantages:- You pay more interest over the life of the loan due to higher interest rate.
|
Conv 20 Yr HomeReady
Best Choice If:- Flat monthly payments for the duration of the loan.
- You have limited funds to invest in a down payment.
| Advantages:- Fixed interest rate.
- Level principal and interest payments for the full term of the loan.
- No risk that changing market conditions will increase your monthly payments.
- Closing costs can come from your own funds, a gift, grant or other permitted sources.
- Reduced private mortgage insurance (PMI).
| Disadvantages:- You pay more interest over the life of the loan due to higher interest rate.
|
Conv 15 Yr HomeReady
Best Choice If:- Flat monthly payments for the duration of the loan.
- You have limited funds to invest in a down payment.
| Advantages:- Fixed interest rate.
- Level principal and interest payments for the full term of the loan.
- No risk that changing market conditions will increase your monthly payments.
- Closing costs can come from your own funds, a gift, grant or other permitted sources.
- Reduced private mortgage insurance (PMI).
| Disadvantages:- You pay more interest over the life of the loan due to higher interest rate.
|
VA 20 Year Fixed Rate
Best Choice If:You are a Veteran with VA Eligibility and are looking for a Fixed Rate Loan | Advantages:15 Year Fixed Rate loan to 100% Financing depending on your current eligibility | Disadvantages:May have slightly higher rate than an Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan |
VA 25 Year Fixed Rate
Best Choice If:You are a Veteran with VA Eligibility and are looking for a Fixed Rate Loan | Advantages:25 Year Fixed Rate loan to 100% Financing depending on your current eligibility | Disadvantages:May have slightly higher rate than an Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan |
VA 30 Year Fixed Rate
Best Choice If:You are a Veteran with VA Eligibility and are looking for a Fixed Rate Loan | Advantages:30 Year Fixed Rate loan to 100% Financing depending on your current eligibility | Disadvantages:May have slightly higher rate than an Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan |