Should You Choose a Fixed or Variable Mortgage?

Thinking about your mortgage.

Buying a home is the single largest financial commitment most people ever make. And sorting through mortgages involves a lot of critical choices. One of these is choosing between a fixed- or variable-interest-rate mortgage.

Fixed Mortgage

True to its name, fixed-rate mortgage interest is fixed throughout the life of the loan. In contrast, the interest rate on a variable-interest-rate loan can change over time. The mortgage interest rate charged by a variable loan is usually based on an index, which means payments could move up or down depending on prevailing interest rates.¹

Fixed-rate mortgages have advantages and disadvantages. For example, rates and payments remain constant despite the interest-rate climate. But fixed-rate loans generally have higher initial interest rates than variable-rate mortgages; the financial institution may charge more because if rates go higher, it may lose out.

If prevailing interest rates trend lower, a fixed-rate mortgage holder would have to refinance, and that may involve closing costs, additional paperwork, and more.¹

Variable Mortgage

With variable-rate mortgages, the initial interest rates are often lower because the lender is able to transfer some of the risk to the borrower; if prevailing rates go higher, the interest rate on the variable mortgage may adjust upward as well. Variable-rate mortgages may allow borrowers to take advantage of falling interest rates without refinancing.¹

One of the biggest advantages variable-rate mortgages offer can be one of their biggest disadvantages as well. Rates and payments are subject to change, and they can rise over the life of the loan.

Should you choose a fixed or variable mortgage?

Here are four broad considerations:

• First, how long do you plan to stay in the home? If you plan on living in the home a short time before selling it, you may want to consider a variable-rate mortgage. With a shorter time frame, the loan will have less time to move up or down.
• Second, what’s happening with interest rates? If interest rates are below historic averages, it may make sense to consider a fixed rate. On the other hand, if interest rates are above historic averages, it may make sense to consider a variable rate loan. Then if interest rates decline, your interest rate may fall as well.
• Third, under what conditions can the lender adjust the rate and payment? How frequently can it be adjusted? Is there a limit on how much it can be adjusted in each period? Is there a lifetime limit on how high the interest rate and payment can be raised?
• And fourth, could you still afford your monthly payment if interest rates were to rise significantly? How would it affect your finances if your payment were to rise to its lifetime limit and stay there for an extended period?

Scarlet Oak Financial Services may be reached at 800.871.1219 or contact us here.    

Source

This material was prepared by MarketingPro, Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. This information has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. Please note – investing involves risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional. This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any Federal tax penalty. This is neither a solicitation nor recommendation to purchase or sell any investment or insurance product or service, and should not be relied upon as such. All indices are unmanaged and are not illustrative of any particular investment.

Citations.

1 – investopedia.com/ask/answers/032515/what-difference-between-variable-cost-and-fixed-cost-economics.asp [4/25/19]