The two main factors for most buyers looking for a property are price and location. What a bank can afford also depends on how much and under what terms they are ready to lend. Because of this, strategic thinking is essential, especially now when interest rates are just climbing back up.
Know how the fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages may benefit the borrower and how the relative benefits of each could fluctuate based on the current interest rates.
Fixed-Rate Mortgages
For the duration of your loan, a fixed-rate mortgage locks in both your interest rate and your monthly payments, providing the security that comes with consistency. The most conventional type of mortgage is this one. Consider a fixed-rate mortgage for the following reasons:
Budgeting With Predictability: Your duties for payback will be obvious.
Stable Interest Rates: Throughout the loan’s duration, your payment won’t change.
Flexible Terms: While most borrowers choose 30-year mortgages, shorter periods, such as 15 or 20 years, are available and can better suit your objectives.
Takeaway: For most borrowers, fixed-rate mortgages are a solid option. They appeal to people who wish to buy a house for a long time and want to feel secure knowing their loan repayments will be regular and predictable.
Borrowers could think about refinancing if interest rates should decline while the loan is being repaid, but the main objective is to avoid playing the roulette wheel. Given that rates are starting to increase, many borrowers might find it benefical to refinance now, or wait until rates are lower depending on their current interest rate amount.
Mortgages with Adjustable Rates
For a certain initial period, typically ranging from 3 years to 5 years, an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) has a fixed interest rate. After that, the interest rate may fluctuate (within certain bounds) following market conditions.
For instance, a five-year ARM gives a fixed interest rate for the first five years, after which the rate may fluctuate every six months but not by more than +/- 1 to 2%. Consider an ARM if you want to:
Lower initial rate: If your goals coincide with the initial fixed term, the interest rate will often be lower than that of fixed-rate mortgage loans in Oklahoma, saving you money. However, after that, interest rates may gradually rise.
Interest rate caps: Many ARMs include restrictions on how much your rate can climb during any specific interval (cap adjustment) and throughout the loan to safeguard against major interest rate changes (life cap). When your first time is through, it’s wise to figure out your loan’s highest interest rate and be ready to adjust your strategy if interest rates should climb.
Options for interest-only payments: To further reduce your initial monthly payments, several ARMs provide you the choice of making interest-only payments. It’s crucial to note that your payments will not lower your loan principal unless you decide to pay more than the minimal invoiced amount over the interest-only term.
Takeaway: Those who want to pay off their loan, sell their property, or refinance it during the original fixed-rate period may find an ARM a smart alternative. However, borrowers shouldn’t expect that they can refinance or sell the house before rates change and instead should be prepared to accept the possibility that interest rates might increase.
Avoid being persuaded to borrow more money than you can afford, whether you choose a fixed-rate mortgage or an ARM. Consider what suits your goals and budget.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are pros and cons to both fixed and adjustable Oklahoma mortgage rates. With a fixed rate mortgage, your monthly payment will stay the same for the entire term of the loan, which can be helpful in budgeting.
However, if interest rates go down after you take out your mortgage, you will miss out on that savings. With an adjustable-rate mortgage, your monthly payment can change, but it will always be based on the current interest rate. This could result in a higher or lower payment than your original monthly payment, but it also allows you to take advantage of lower interest rates.
Ultimately, your best mortgage type depends on your individual needs and preferences.
Cross Timbers Mortgage provides flexible yet dependable conventional loans to residents of Oklahoma and Florida. Our objective is to make borrowing money simple and quick, especially for people in desperate need. We also provide mortgage refinancing to assist our clients in getting ahead on their repayments. Make an appointment now to discover more about how we can assist you with Florida and Oklahoma mortgage rates.