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What Mortgage Program is Right for Me?
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What Mortgage Program is Right for Me?

Harry Jensen, Trusted Mortgage Expert with 45+ Years of Experience
, Trusted Mortgage Expert with 45+ Years of Experience
Edited by Michael Jensen

Determining What Mortgage Program is Right for Me? is one of the most important steps in the mortgage process.  It is key to select a program that you are comfortable with and the mortgage program you choose also impacts your interest rate, monthly payment and what size loan you can afford.  We review the three main types of mortgage programs -- fixed rate, adjustable rate (ARM) and interest only -- below and provide a chart at the bottom of the page that outlines the positives, negatives and key features for each loan program.  Reviewing these resources will help you decide the mortgage program that is right for you. 

How to Select the Mortgage Program that Best Meets Your Needs

So what mortgage program is right for you? It all depends on your risk profile and financial goals.  If you are looking for certainty, then a fixed rate mortgage is your best financing option.  If you have a higher tolerance for risk and are looking for a lower monthly payment or larger mortgage amount, then an adjustable rate mortgage or interest only mortgage may be right for you.

If you know you are only going to live in the home for a relatively short period of time such as three to ten years and you are going to sell your home before the adjustable rate period for an adjustable rate mortgage or an interest only mortgage begins, they could be the right program for you.  That way you benefit from the lower monthly mortgage payment during the initial period of the mortgage but you are not exposed to a potential increase in mortgage rate and monthly payment during the adjustable rate period, when your rate and payment can change and potentially increase on an annual or semi-annual basis.  This approach is not without risk either, as there is no guarantee you could sell your property when you want to or for more than you paid for it.  

Part of your decision depends on what direction you think mortgage rates are heading. If you think mortgage rates are going to increase in the future, you should select a fixed rate mortgage.  If you think rates are going to go down, you may want to consider an adjustable rate mortgage or possibly an interest only mortgage.  It is very challenging to predict how mortgage rates will change in the future, especially over the long term, so trying to take advantage of a potential shift in rates should not be your primary reason to select a mortgage program.

We recommend that you use the comparison chart below to determine the mortgage program that is right for you.  In addition to outlining how the programs work and summarizing their pros and cons, the chart assesses the risk level for each program and addresses key loan features including mortgage rate, loan term and amortization.  The chart also compares mortgage payments and identifies which program is best, depending on the interest rate environment.  As illustrated by the chart, each program is suitable for a specific type of borrower with a unique risk profile and financial objectives.  Review the chart below to learn about each type of mortgage so you can choose the program that best meets your objectives.

Mortgage Program Comparison

Fixed Rate Mortgage
Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM)
Interest Only Mortgage (IO ARM)
Summary
  • Interest rate and payment do not change over the life of the mortgage
  • Fixed interest rate and payment for first 3, 5, 7 or 10 years (fixed rate period)
  • Then interest rate and payment can change (adjustable rate period)
  • Pay only interest at fixed interest rate for first 3, 5, 7 or 10 years (interest only period)
  • Then pay both principal and interest plus interest rate and payment can change (adjustable rate period)
Pros
  • Certainty
  • Lower interest rate and payment during fixed rate period
  • Lower payment if rates go down
  • Lower payment during interest only period
  • Qualify for larger mortgage amount
Cons
  • Higher payment than ARM or Interest Only
  • Locked into interest rate if you cannot refinance
  • Uncertainty
  • Potential increase in interest rate and payment
  • Uncertainty
  • Payment increases when you start paying principal
  • Potential increase in interest rate
Risk Level
Lowest
Higher
Highest
Term
10-40 years 30 years most common
30 years
30 years
Amortizing Loan?
Yes
Yes
Only for part of term
Interest Rate
  • Depending on term, higher rate than ARM or interest only mortgage
  • Initial teaser rate lower than fixed rate mortgage
  • Initial teaser rate lower than fixed rate mortgage
Can interest rate increase?
No
Yes
Yes
Can interest rate decrease?
No
Yes
Yes
Initial Mortgage Payment
Highest
Lower
Lowest
Lowest possible monthly payment
Highest possible monthly payment
Going to own property for short period of time
Going to own property for entire term of mortgage
Think interest rates will go up significantly
Think interest rates will go down significantly
Best for low interest rate environment
Best for high interest rate environment

Contact lenders in the table below to learn about the programs they offer and to determine the mortgage program that is right for you.  Comparing multiple mortgage proposals enables you to find the lender and program that are right for you.

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Current Mortgage Rates in Ashburn, Virginia as of March 19, 2024
View All Lenders

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Rate data provided by RateUpdate.com. Displayed by ICB, a division of Mortgage Research Center, NMLS #1907, Equal Housing Opportunity. Payments do not include taxes or insurance premiums. Actual payments will be greater with taxes and insurance included. Read through our lender table disclaimer for more information on rates and product details.

Review our What Mortgage Program is Right for Me? video tutorial to understand your financing options.

FREEandCLEAR Mortgage Instructional Video

What Mortgage Program is Right for Me? Instructional Video

Sources

“Understand loan options.”  CFPB.  Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 2017.  Web.

"Fixed Rate and Adjustable Rate Mortgages."  FDIC.  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, October 14 2016.  Web.

About the author
Harry Jensen, Mortgage Expert

Harry is the co-founder of FREEandCLEAR. He is a mortgage expert with over 45 years of industry experience. Over his career, Harry has closed thousands of loans for satisfied borrowers and now offers his advice and insights on FREEandCLEAR.  Harry is a licensed mortgage professional (NMLS #236752). More about Harry

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