Sniffing Out Discounted Mortgages

Mortgages are the best answer to our house-buying queries. These days, there are many kinds of mortgages for us to choose from. Most commonly, we have a choice between fixed rate mortgages and adjustable rate mortgages. The former type of mortgage charges a fixed rate of interest that shall necessarily remain constant for the entire period of the loan. The latter, as the name suggests, charges an interest rate that fluctuates depending on the interest rates that are currently prevailing. Over the years, a majority of people have chosen to go along with the fixed rate mortgage type. Given that mortgages usually have long tenures, it is a good idea to try and secure a deal that charges a fixed interest rate. This makes it easier to plan one's budget later on, and it also provides a sense of security to the borrower at times when interest rates are ready to increase.

This is not to say that mortgages with adjustable rates are not a good option. If one is lucky, one can avail of significantly lower rates if the rates of interest are low. This is an advantage that is absent in the case of fixed rate mortgages. The latter guarantees that the interest rates will not rise. But it does not make any promise of increased savings in case the interest rates do drop. Thus, there is the risk element in both situations. Government policies that are put into effect after a mortgage deal has been signed generally have significant impacts on the amounts that the borrower has to pay.

Even while selecting a fixed rate mortgage one should be aware that lenders are likely to fix rather high interest rates so that they can make enough profits from the mortgage deal. Thus, even though a borrower would prefer to get a fixed rate mortgage because the rate of interest will not rise, he may be losing out on savings that may be possible with a variable rate if the interest rates happen to fall. If government policies lead to considerably lower interest charges, a person with fixed rate mortgage would see that he is making rather large monthly repayments. Thus, it may be sensible to sniff out a discounted mortgage which offers adjustable rates of interest.

These days, most loan providers offer mortgages that are great bargains. Greater discounts are usually offered on the less popular adjustable rate mortgages. The only thing that we have to do is to remain on the alert and find the best bargains.

By : Ajeet Khurana