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Is A Fixed-Rate Mortgage Always The Best Option?

21 June 2021

Eva Kennedy

When you begin searching for a mortgage loan, you might come across options. One option is choosing between a fixed-rate loan and an adjustable-rate loan. For many people, fixed-rate loans are the best choice, though you may want to know more before deciding between these two types of loans. Here are several things to know about the differences between these loan types and the benefits of each.

The Main Difference Between These Types of Loans

As you begin comparing your loan options, you might wonder about the main difference between these loan types. The main difference is the way the interest rate works. When you get a loan with a fixed rate, it means that you lock in the same rate for the entire loan duration. If the loan is 30 years, you will always have the same rate for the full 30 years. An adjustable-rate loan, as the name implies, has a changing rate. It will not change all the time, but it will change at certain times. You might have the same rate for the first five to seven years. When you reach that point in the mortgage, it will change to a different rate.

Reasons People Prefer Fixed-Rate Loans

Most people prefer fixed rates for the predictability they offer. When you get a rate that never changes, you will never have a different mortgage payment amount. It always stays the same. You will also never have a higher rate to pay, as the rate will not change. These are the main benefits of fixed-rate loans and the reasons people often prefer them over adjustable-rate loans.

Times When Adjustable-Rate Loans Might Offer Benefits

There are two main reasons people choose adjustable-rate loans. The first reason is when a person knows they will not need the loan for a long time. If you want to buy a house that you will sell in five years, an adjustable-rate mortgage might be the better choice. The other reason is to get a lower mortgage payment right now. Adjustable mortgages tend to offer lower interest rates than fixed mortgages, and this tends to attract a lot of people to them.

From reading this, you should understand the differences between fixed-rate loans and adjustable-rate loans. By learning the differences, you can decide which is best for your situation. You can also contact a lender to learn more about fixed-rate mortgages and the available options.

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