7/1 ARM
Adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) have never been as popular as they are today, thanks to the introduction of so-called “hybrid” ARMs. Hybrid ARM products combine the adjustable and fixed rate mortgage structures into one. These products start with a set period of time in which the interest rate is fixed, before converting to a variable interest rate structure, where the rate can be adjusted or “reset” at set intervals.
A 7/1 Adjustable rate mortgage is one of the more popular hybrid ARM packages on the market. 7/1 ARMs have an initial period of 7 years in which the interest rate remains fixed. When the introductory period ends, then the rate converts into an adjustable interest rate. During the adjustable period, resets are made annually (every 1 year). This gives homeowners a cool 7 years to enjoy lower than average interest on their monthly mortgage payments, before buckling down and tackling the plausibly increased monthly payments or refinancing to a fixed rate mortgage.
It is important to remember that hybrid ARMs like the 7/1 ARM are still 30-year loans unless stated otherwise. The attractive quality that these loans share is that for the initial fixed rate period, the fixed interest rate is lower than you would get with a traditional fixed rate mortgage. That is why many borrowers get hybrid ARMs, and then refinance after the fixed rate period ends.
Is a 7/1 Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) Right for Me?
Many borrowers are unsure whether or not an adjustable rate mortgage is worth the risk. With a hybrid ARM, so long as you are in a position to refinance after the initial fixed rate period, they most definitely are. 7/1 ARMs are great because they offer an impressive amount of time (7 years) to make some significant savings on your monthly mortgage payments, since the general rule with hybrid ARMs is that the interest rate available during the initial fixed rate period is often much lower than the rate for any traditional fixed interest rate on the market.
Borrowers of 7/1 ARMs have a full 84 months of significantly reduced monthly mortgage payments to save some money at the beginning of their loan term, or to knock down their principal amount (providing there are no prepayment penalties). This situation is ideal for home buyers who would like to invest their money elsewhere within the same time frame of buying a home.
Like the other hybrid ARM products, the 7/1 ARM is not recommended for borrowers who may be unwilling or unable to refinance or sell their home once the introductory period ends and the adjusted monthly mortgage payments are outside of their affordable price range. Conversely, if a borrower is only looking to temporarily settle in one place, the 7/1 ARM is an option that could very well give them substantially lower monthly mortgage payments thanks to the stellar interest rate during the fixed rate period, after which they can sell the home and move on.
7/1 Adjustable Rate Mortgages: In Review
If you’re a home buyer looking to score some huge savings at the beginning of your loan term, then adjustable rate mortgages might be just what the doctor ordered. Just remember, if you decide to get a 7/1 ARM, those savings will only last for the first 84 months of your loan term, and then you either have to shell out the extra cash each month to cover the larger monthly payments if the rate spikes when adjusted (which it almost certainly will), refinance your home loan if you are eligible to do so, or sell your home.
The rates during the initial fixed rate period for a 7/1 ARM are much lower than rates you’ll find for standard fixed rate mortgages, so all things considered, it may be your best way to save some money. If you need help figuring out if a 7/1 ARM is right for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to us and speak with a home.loans mortgage specialist. We’ll help find the absolute best mortgage solution for you, completely risk-free.
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Adjustable Rate Mortgages: Additional Resources
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If you’re looking to buy your first home, there are several options you can explore. You could write a huge check and buy the house outright, but if you’re like most people, you’ll probably need a mortgage. When it comes to borrowing money to buy a home, loans come in a variety of sizes and with a plethora of terms.