To put it simply, an interest-only mortgage is when you only pay interest the first several years of the loan — making your monthly payments lower when you first start making mortgage payments. Though this may sound like an exciting opportunity to help save on your mortgage payments, before exploring interest-only loan options, learning how they work is key.
An important thing to remember about interest-only mortgages is: Once the interest-only period ends, you begin paying both the interest and principal. You have the option of making principal payments during your interest-only payment term, but once the interest-only period ends, both interest and principal payments are required. Keep in mind that the amount of time you have for repaying the principal is shorter than your overall loan term.
Most interest-only loans are structured as an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) and the ability to make interest-only payments can last up to 10 years. After this introductory period, you’ll start to repay both principal and interest. The interest rate on an ARM Loan can increase or decrease throughout the length of your loan, so when your rate adjusts, your payment will change too.
For example, if you take out a $100,000 interest-only ARM at five percent, with an interest only period of 10 years, you’d have to pay about $417 per month (only towards the interest) for the first 10 years. When this interest-only period ends, your monthly payment amount will raise substantially with the inclusion of both principal and interest payments. Additionally, if the interest-only loan is also an ARM, the payment amount may also fluctuate due to the periodic interest rate changes.
If you’re interested in keeping your month-to-month housing costs low, an interest-only loan may be a good option. Common candidates for an interest-only mortgage are people who aren’t looking to own a home for the long-term — they may be frequent movers or are purchasing the home as a short-term investment.
If you’re looking to buy a second home, you may want to consider an interest-only loan. Some people buy a second home and eventually turn it into their primary home. Making payments towards just the interest may be convenient if you aren’t permanently living in the home yet.
While an interest-only loan may sound appealing for people looking to keep their payments low, it can be more difficult to get approved and is typically more accessible for people with significant savings, high credit scores and a low debt-to-income ratio.
Interest-only loans may make financial sense for some borrowers because:
Choosing an interest-only loan could be a risk for borrowers. Some cons with this type of loan include:
You can use an interest-only mortgage calculator to help break down what your payments will look like the first few years with interest-only, and the consecutive years when principal rates kick in to see if this type of mortgage makes sense for you.
An interest-only mortgage has its benefits and drawbacks. If you’re looking for lower monthly payments or a short-term living arrangement, this could be the right option for you. Keep in mind that payments towards your principal are inevitable down the line. Talk with a Home Lending Advisor to see if an interest-only mortgage is right for you.
