Home loans are more commonly referred to as a mortgage and they are utilized to purchase a home or property. Home loans are paid over a set period of time in monthly installments.
Essentially home loans are offered in four major types. The most popular, especially among home owners is a fixed rate home loan. A fixed rate loan, like it sounds, retains the same interest over the term of the loan. Fixed rate loans usually last between 15-30 years, are low risk, protected under inflation, and easier to budget.
Adjustable rate loans vary from fixed rate loans, in that the interest is constantly adjusting and changing. The home loan?s interest rate ?adjusts? after an initial period which can last from a few months to a few years. The interest rate slowly decreases in value the longer the loan are repaid.
A third type of home loan is the balloon home loan. In a balloon home loan, the monthly payments are based on a 30 year amortization schedule, but the entire home loan balance is due at the end of the loan?s term, which is either five years or seven years. If you cannot pay the entire home loan balance at the end of the term, then you can elect to reset the home loan at the current interest rate.
Reverse mortgage loans are a new type of loan appealing to older homeowner especially those nearing retirement. In a reverse mortgage loan, money is paid to the owner instead of charged. The owner repays the mortgage when he or she decides to sell the home or passes away.
Down payments are required when taking out a loan. Depending on the type of loan, the down payment can range from 3-20% of the home?s total value. The buyer?s credit history, income, and the value of the home are calculated into the down payment.
The buyer also must pay closing costs on their home loan. The closing cost usually ranges from 3-7% of the home?s total cost, including points, taxes, title insurance, financing, and other settlement costs.
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