10 tips for a first time home buyer in the Bay Area
When it comes to financing a home for the first time, you might have a lot of questions. Here are some things to consider as you go shopping for your new home.
| Competitive | Rates as low as | Close |
| $995 | 5.934% | Quickly |
| Flat fee1 | 5/1 Adjustable-rate Mortgage* | On your dream home |
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Competitive
$995
|
|
Rates as low as
5.934%
|
|
Close
Quickly
|
Unlike a Fixed-rate Mortgage, the interest rate for an Adjustable-rate Mortgage is a variable one. This means your payments will change over the life of the loan. And they could change significantly.
ARMs do have a period of time where the interest is fixed. This rate is usually much lower than market rates, so you could save money on your monthly payments during this time.
This fixed-rate period could be anywhere from one month to 10 years. After this initial period, the rate adjusts to the current market rate.
The biggest advantage to an Adjustable-rate Mortgage is that it’s typically cheaper than a fixed rate mortgage for the first three to seven years. The initial lower payments may also allow you to qualify for a larger loan.
An ARM can also have some significant downsides. With an ARM, your monthly payment may change frequently over the life of the loan. And if you take on a large loan, you could be in trouble when interest rates rise.
Rates are subject to change without notice.
When it comes to financing a home for the first time, you might have a lot of questions. Here are some things to consider as you go shopping for your new home.
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An Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM) could save you money initially. But they don’t offer the same stability as a Fixed-Rate Mortgage. Find out if an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage is right for you.