The pay option ARM program can be an excellent mortgage program
for someone who needs to pay down credit card debt, but cannot qualify for a
Cash-Out Refinance.
Option arms are portfolio products often held by the lender. They are not
purchased by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.
Option Arms (1% Payment loan)
Option arms or the pick your payment loan can adapt to fit your lifestyle. They
offer flexible payment options and qualification standards. Investors like them
for there low payments and cash flow potential.
Traditional home loan payments are the same each month for the term of the
loan. With an Option ARM, you can choose from one of four payment choices each
month -- which gives you the flexibility to change your mortgage payment as
your needs change. You are only required to make the minimum payment on the
loan each month.
Payment Options
1. Minimum Payment
2. Interest Only Payment
3. Fully Amortized 30 year payment
4. 15 Year Payment
Main Benefits of an Option Arm
To minimize your house payment to pay off other debt.
To control how much tax-deductible interest you pay monthly.
To maximize your buying power.
If your income tends to fluctuate.
How an Option Arm Works
The minimum payment can only increase or decrease by 7.5% per year. There would
be an adjustment to your payment is rates have moved up or down. After 5-years
an option arm will recasts which ensure your loan will be repaid within the
given term or 30 years. This means your new payment would be calculated to pay
the loan off in 25 years.
Since the minimum payment is so low you may not be paying off all of the
interest each month. This is called deferred interest and will be added to your
principal balance. Deferred interest can be tax deductible when you refinance
or sell your home.
A lifetime interest rate cap limits how high your interest rate can reach.
One of the most effective Pay Option ARMs available are those that have a true
bi-weekly feature. This feature, when holding onto the loan for more than 3
years can dramatically reduce the deferred interest and actually help pay the
mortgage down, often faster than a conventional 30 year fixed mortgage, over a
30 year cycle. Thus the borrower gets the best of both worlds, the lowest
payments possible with very little interest expenses over the life of the loan.
The pay option ARM program frees up a tremendous amount of cash flow.
Pay option ARMs are a great way to manage your cash flow. However, keep in mind
that, when you make minimum payments, you are not paying all the interest due
for that month. This unpaid interest is added to your mortgage balance.
Pay option ARM mortgages can be used to refinance your current mortgage or to
finance a home purchase. Pay option ARMs are also known as option ARM, 12 month
MTA, cash flow ARM and other titles.
Option arms or the pick your payment loan can adapt to fit your lifestyle. They
offer flexible payment options and qualification standards. Investors like them
for there low payments and cash flow potential.
Pay Option Arms are good for investment properties, where a higher cashflow is
desired in the first few years of ownership.
This loan very popular with borrowers who are self-employed, work on commssion
or have variable income sources. They enjoy the payment flexibility that the PO
ARM program offers. In a month when income is low and money is tight there is
the minimum payment to fall back on as conversely in a month where things are
good they can make a higher payment.
Pay option ARMS usually have hard pre pay penalties that range from 1-3 years.
Ask your mortgage broker about different pre pay options and how they will fit
into your future financial plans.
A few words of caution: If you choose to pay the minimum payment option, your
payment will not cover the cost of the interest payment and your loan balance
will increase. This is called Negative Amortization. If you find yourself with
a negative amortization option arm, you'll be adding to your mortgage debt
every month. The difference between the minimum payment and the interest-only
payment is not discarded - it goes back into your principal loan amount - in
effect growing the amount you owe every month. It's best to only use the
minimum payment option in the case of a tight money month.
Pay Option Arms are fantastic opportunities for Apprentice workers to purchase
a home they will be able to afford 3-4 years from now when there apprenticeship
is done, right now.
Most homeowners consider Pay Option ARM for one or more of
the following advantages this mortgage program offers:
1. To be able to buy more home with the same income
2. To be able to allocate a bigger portion of income towards other debts
3. To have control over tax deductability of mortgage interests from year to
year
4. To off set seasonal incomes
5. To take advantage now of anticipated increase in income
A Pay Option ARM is one of the fastest growing mortgage products available.
This program allows the borrower the most flexibility with their mortgage
payment each month by allowing, usually, 3-4 different payment options on each
mortgage billing statement each month. Option 1 is generally the lowest payment
option which can incur negative amortization. Option 2 is usually an interest
only mortgage payment. Option 3 may be a 15 year mortgage payment. Finally
Option 4 may be a 30 year mortgage payment. The Pay Option ARM is great for
self-employed and commissioned borrowers who may not receive a steady income.
This gives these borrowers the opportunity to pay incredibly low monthly
mortgage payments during slow months and pay their normal payments during the
other months.