Fixed Rate Mortgages - How They Work

If you want to keep track of how much your mortgage payment will be, obtaining a fixed mortgage loan may be of interest. Learn how fixed-rate mortgages work by reading below. Then, calculate how much interest you will be paying over the course of paying back your loan.

Variable And Adjustable Rates

Variable rates and adjustable rates are featured with some home mortgage loans. A variable interest rate fluctuates. This is due to market trends. A homeowner may initially pay a low rate, then incur an increase in the amount of interest that they owe. The fluctuations in the rate will be experienced throughout the loan repayment term. A variable rate will require that the borrower pays back the same amount of money each month. 

An adjustable rate will change over time. In the beginning, a borrower may be supplied with a low-interest rate. As time progresses, market trends may result in the interest rate increasing. This will result in the payments increasing. Unlike a variable rate, an adjustable rate will require a borrower to pay back different amounts, based upon the rate increases and decreases.

Both variable rates and adjustable rates will require flexibility on the borrower's part. A borrower will not be able to pinpoint exactly what the future holds, concerning the interest rate that will be charged.

Fixed Rates

Fixed interest rates never change. The interest rate that a borrower is quoted will be the same one that they will be responsible for paying for the entire time that they pay back their loan. The cost of a fixed rate may be somewhat higher than what a variable rate or adjustable rate would start as.

Although this could initially result in paying higher payments, eventually a variable rate or an adjustable rate would surpass the fixed rate (due to market price increases).

Fixed rates offer transparency. A borrower knows exactly how much they will need to pay on their mortgage loan each month.

Interest Fees

A loan that is taken out for a longer duration will incur higher interest fees. To determine how much money will be paid toward interest, use an online loan calculator. The amount of interest will be configured, providing you with a clear picture of how much you will be required to pay.

If you want to keep your interest rate down, opt for taking out a mortgage for a shorter term. You can also save money on interest by paying a larger down payment upfront. 


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