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 New Jersey Public, Private and Charter Schools: Compare them using these top-rated, comprehensive reports.   Schools in Englewood Cliffs, Tenafly, Fort Lee, Alpine, and Cresskill

First Time Buyers >Making Your Dream Home Come True Is it time to initiate the purchase of your first home? You may be starting a family and outgrowing your small apartment. If the time seems right to seriously consider buying a house, but you are afraid you don't have enough cash, don't worry! Real estate agents are experienced in helping first-time buyers locate the financial resources to make such a move. The first step is to sit down with an agent who is familiar with available loan programs. You will need money for the down payment, and your income must be high enough to meet the lender's qualifying standards. Real estate agents may be able to minimize the amount of cash needed with a little help from either the sellers or the loan company. You might be able to include some of the closing costs in your mortgage. The sellers might consider a lease/purchase agreement which would allow you to rent for a few months while accumulating the funds you need. If you are ready to buy your first home, let your real estate agent assist you in making your dream a reality. See All Tips In The "First Time Buyers" Category > See Complete Library Of Hundreds Of Tips In 30+ Categories >

Q  What 70-room East Coast mansion was built as a summer home and is known as a "Gilded Age cottage"? A  Cornelius Vanderbilt's "Breakers" Mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, named for the waves crashing along the cliff that separates the property from the ocean. See More Real Estate Trivia >

Aviva Frumer PROMINENT PROPERTIES SOTHEBY'S INTERNATIONAL REALTY 1022 Closter Dock Rd. Alpine, NJ. 07620 Phone: 201-745-8842 Fax: 201-569-1162 Email: avivafrumer@NUMBER1EXPERT.com Residing in Bergen County since 1965, Aviva has acquired a deep personal knowledge of this locale. Her own life experience has given her a unique perspective on the special needs of her domestic and international clientele. "I am exceptionally dedicated to serving my clients promptly and effectively. I take special pride in having brokered over $10 million in residential sales last year. I am sensitive to the personal needs of each of my clients. I am committed to helping each of them satisfy their particular needs and achieve all of their goals." www.avivafrumer.com is brought to you by Aviva Frumer NUMBER1EXPERT™ in real estate for Englewood Cliffs, Tenafly, Fort Lee, Alpine, and Cresskill, New Jersey Read Aviva Frumer'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.