Types of Home Mortgage Loans

There are millions of people who dream of owning a home as it is a robust financial asset and something that makes them free of the cycle of rental payments. But realization of dreams does not always come cheap as you will have to count the cost of home mortgage loans, or if looking for a vacation property like Charlotte investment properties.

Loans that are taken with a view to buying a home are known as mortgages. Banks and financial institutions extend mortgages to prospective home owners keeping the home as collateral till the loan is paid off in full. If the borrower defaults on these payments, the loan lender would have the right to take ownership of the home.

There are various types of mortgage loans that are available. Some of these are:

1. Fixed Rate Mortgage: These are loans where the rate of interest remains invariant or fixed. The tenure of the loan could range between 15-30 years and even though market interest rates could fluctuate, the rate of this loan is fixed and hence does not change. This kind of loan offers higher stability and less risk as people are aware of their interest liabilities beforehand.
2. ARM or Adjustable-Rate Mortgage: This is a type of loan where the interest rate is fixed for the initial period (maybe a year). After this, market rates become applicable on the loan which implies that the loan is rather risky and unstable. This kind of mortgage is suitable for short term transactions.
3. Home equity mortgage loan: In this kind of loan, the borrower can borrow cash against the equity on the property or home bought. The loan can be taken at fixed or adjustable interest rates
4. Balloon Loans: Here you can make payments in small monthly installments for a short initial period. After this period expires, you are obliged to make good the balance amount, in one large lump sum or ‘balloon’ payment.
5. Government Home Mortgages:
a. FHA Home Mortgage: These are loans extended by the government which are suitable to buy moderately priced homes. Qualified borrowers can apply for and take advantage of these loans even if they can afford only 3-5% of the cost of the home as down payment.
b. VA home mortgage loans: VA stands for Veteran Affairs as such loans are extended to service men and women as well as government employees by the US Department of Veteran Affairs. These are quite beneficial as there is zero down payment required and long term loan repayment period.
c. Rural Housing Services (RHS) loan program: This is a government based loan program which is extended to rural citizens. No down payment is generally required for such loans.

Eligibility for loans is a function of gross income whereas your ability to pay back the loan is a function of how you manage your net income. This is why you should be careful to consider all aspects of the loan (and finding out which can qualify to finance Atlanta investment properties including the type of loan, your monthly and annual expenses and your source and quantum of income. All of these will be able to help you go ahead and buy the home that you always dreamed about.