Adjustable Rate Loans
Get a lower initial interest rate featuring flexible refinancing options with an adjustable rate mortgage from Galaxy Lending Group.
For many people, an adjustable rate loan offers the flexibility they need to get into the home they desire. You may be able to get a lower interest rate for the first few years of your loan, giving you options in the future to refinance into a fixed rate, or sell your home before the rate adjusts to a variable. Galaxy Lending Group can help you explore all your financing options to determine whether an adjustable rate loan may be the right fit for your home buying needs.
The Facts About Adjustable Rate Loans:
What Are Adjustable Rate Loans?
The interest rate for an adjustable-rate mortgage varies over time. The initial interest rate on an Adjustable Rate Loan is set below the market rate on a comparable fixed-rate loan, and then the rate rises as time goes on. If the ARM is held long enough, the interest rate will surpass the going rate for fixed-rate loans.
Adjustable Rate Loans have a fixed period of time during which the initial interest rate remains constant, after which the interest rate adjusts at a pre-arranged frequency. The fixed-rate period can vary significantly – anywhere from one month to 10 years. Shorter adjustment periods generally carry lower initial interest rates.
Learn MoreBenefits of Adjustable Rate Loans
Lower Initial Rate
Typically Adjustable Rate Loans have a lower initial interest rate than on a fixed-rate mortgage.
Limits on Maximum
The interest rate cap limits the maximum amount your P&I payment may increase at each interest rate adjustment and over the life of the loan.
Growth & Flexibility
May provide flexibility if you expect future income growth or if you plan to move or refinance within a few years.
Loan Variables
ARMs come in different options, from one to ten years where the interest rate is fixed before you move to an adjustable rate. If you know you will be moving or selling in the future, you can choose an ARM with the right fixed period to guarantee your interest rate until that time.
Check Your Eligibility for an Adjustable Rate Loan
Understanding what qualifies you for an Adjustable Rate Loan is the first step:
You credit score will impact the ARM you can qualify for and the interest rate and terms you will receive.
Debt to income ratio will impact your eligibility for an adjustable rate loan.
Your monthly mortgage payment must be within set ranges of your total income per month.
ARMs can be used for primary and secondary homes, as well as investment properties.
Most adjustable rate loans will require a down payment of up to 25% of the home value. This is determined by the price of the home, credit score, debt ratio and other factors.
Principal & Interest (P&I)
These are two of the main components of your monthly payment on a mortgage or home equity loan. The principal portion of your payment reduces your loan balance. The interest portion is your cost for the use of the principal for that month. If your mortgage loan payments also include property taxes and homeowner’s insurance (and mortgage insurance, if applicable), the monthly payment amount is referred to as PITI (Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance).
Interest-Rate Cap
An interest-rate cap places a limit on the amount your interest rate can increase.
Interest caps come in two versions:
- Periodic caps, which limit the interest-rate increase from one adjustment period to the next
- Lifetime caps, which limit the interest-rate increase over the life of the loan