Mortgage Loan Types
Mortgage Loan Types
Types of Mortgage Loan Programs
By Elizabeth Weintraub, About.com Guide
When I was a little girl, there were three types of mortgages available to a home buyer. Buyers could get a fixed-rate conventional mortgage, an FHA loan or a VA loan. Times have definitely changed. Now there are a dizzying array of mortgage loan types available -- as the saying goes: more mortgage loan types than you can shake a stick at!
Popular Types of Mortgage Loan Programs
* Fixed-Rate Mortgage Types
This is the granddaddy of them all. Now you can choose from 10-year, 15-year, 20-year-, 30-year, 40-year and even 50-year fixed-rate mortgages, all of which are completely amortized.
* FHA Loans
FHA mortgage loan types are insured by the government through mortgage insurance that is funded into the loan. First-time home buyers are ideal candidates for an FHA loan because the down payment requirements are minimal and FICO scores do not matter.
* VA Loans
This type of government loan is available to veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Services and, in certain cases, to spouses of deceased veterans. The requirements vary depending on the year of service and whether the discharge was honorable or dishonorable. The main benefit to a VA loan is the borrower does not need a down payment. The loan is guaranteed by the Department of Veteran Affairs, but funded by a conventional lender.
* Interest-Only Mortgage Types
Calling a mortgage loan type an "interest-only mortgage" is a bit misleading because these loans are not really interest only, meaning the borrower pays only interest on the loan. Interest-only loans contain an option to make an interest-only payment. The option is available only for a certain period of time. However, some junior mortgages are indeed interest only and require a balloon payment, consisting of the original loan balance at maturity.
Hybrid Types of Mortgage Loans
* Option ARM Mortgage Types
Option ARM loans are complicated. They are adjustable-rate mortgages, meaning the interest rate fluctuates periodically. Like the name implies, borrowers can choose from a variety of payment options and index rates. But beware of the minimum payment option, which can result in negative amortization.
* Combo / Piggyback Mortgage Loan Types
This type of mortgage financing consists of two loans: a first mortgage and a second mortgage. The mortgages can be adjustable-rate mortgages or fixed-rate or a combination of the two. Borrowers take out two loans when the down payment is less than 20% to avoid paying private mortgage insurance.
* Adjustable-Rate Mortgage Types
Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) come in many flavors, colors and sizes. The interest rate fluctuates. It can move up or down monthly, semi-annually, annually or remain fixed for a period of time before it adjusts.
* Mortgage Buydowns
Borrowers who want to pay a lower interest rate initially often opt for mortgage buydowns. The interest rate is reduced because fees are paid to lower the rate, which is why it's called a buydown. Buyers, sellers or lenders can buy down the interest rate for the borrower.
Specialty Mortgage Loan Types
* Streamlined-K Mortgage Loans
Like the 203K loan program, FHA has another program that provides funds to a borrower to fix-up a home by rolling the funds into one loan. The dollar limits for repair work are lower on a Streamlined-K loan, but it requires less paperwork and is easier to obtain than a 203K.
* Bridge / Swing Loans
These types of mortgage loans are used when a seller has put a home on the market -- but it has not yet sold -- and the seller wants to borrow equity to buy another home. The seller's existing home is used as security for a bridge (also called swing) loan.
* Equity Mortgage Loan Types
Equity loans are second in position and junior to the existing first mortgage. Borrowers take out equity loans to receive cash. The loans can be adjustable, fixed or a line of credit from which the borrower can draw funds as needed.
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