>>>>>>>>>>>>I don't know what a heck are you talking about. Nobody takes fixed rate installments. Unless you are ex-con or something and bank would not loan you otherwise. Last time I had one was in 1997 , banks don't even offer them any more I thing.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>Yeah, It is all Obama's fault!
>>>>>>>>>>>>If it is not Obama then it is sure Europe fault!
>>>>>>>>>>>>If none works, then try Al-qaeda.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>Stay perplexed.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>Laying blames is exclusively your business so don't peddle it around. FYI, great majority of US homeowners take fixed-rate mortgages.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>Wouldn't buy a house without one. I remember the 'negative amortization' loan debacle of the 80's.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>I have what is called up here, a 'variable rate' mortgage. I don't know if that's the same thing as your 'adjustable rate' mortgage, but it's worked out beautifully for me. I came off a fixed rate of about 6% when I changed to variable rate. When I changed, I decided to continue to pay the same monthly amount as I was paying - in other words pretending I still was at 6%. That was about 6 years ago, and at no time since has the variable rate come anywhere near 6% so in fact, I've been paying off my mortgage very quickly. Right now my rate is about 3.75% while I'm paying as though it's 6%. If I'd taken a fixed rate mortgage at that time, I'd be waaaay behind where I am now.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>The ARM is the problem here. The adjustable rate mortgage starts out with low interest rates (to help new buyers with lower incomes who expect to earn more later). The interest rates climb over the life of the loan though. If you aren't making more money later in life when the rates go up, that is a problem.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Baloon loans are another problem. You finance a portion and pay a 'baloon payment' at the end in order to keep the payments down. When the baloon payment comes due if you cannot pay it, you have to refinance the balance.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>I always go with a fixed rate. I like the guarantee that the payment will always remain the same.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Ok. Your adjustable rate mortgage sounds like a completely different animal than our variable rate mortgage. See my note to Dorris.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I don't think it's different at all. It's just being misdescribed.
>>>>>
>>>>>So the rate doesn't escalate over the life of the mortgage? Is it like ours; just floats based on the prime rate? If so, then the idea that only fools would take such a mortgage is a bit silly. I don't know if I'd take a 25 year mortgage and choose variable rate for the life of the mortgage, but in 3 to 5 year terms, it's quite workable moving from one form to the other depending on where one thinks the prime rate will be going. All I can say is that it worked out beautifully for me.
>>>>
>>>>No, they are different animals. We have the standard which is identical (it appears) to yours, and then we have special mortgages designed for new owners where the initial interest rate is lower than normal but guaranteed to climb. It is intended to get those who could not otherwise afford it into homes. Those just starting out. They are geared towards new owners who have a lower income but are expected to have a higher income in the years to come. It was a crazy animal. Most didn't even know about it unless the mortgage company presented it as an option. I know, because it was presented to me once and I thought 'you gotta be kidding!'
>>>>
>>>>As to the typical financing options, you may find this article from 1994 interesting:
>>>>
>>>>http://www.thinkglink.com/Speculating_On_An_ARM.htm
>>>>
>>>>Not much has been mentioned about baloon payment financing. Do you have that there?
>>>
>>>To be honest, I don't know. It's not something I'd be interested in, so if it's there I guess I just never paid any attention to it. With regard to the variable rate mortgage I have, keep in mind that no matter what happens to the rates, I have a 7% cap.
>>
>>Most people are not aware of the different financing options available here. For the average person seeking financing, the big three options are presented (15yr FRM, 30yr FRM, ARM) and those are the only ones typically reported on as well, but there are many, many other options. I have a close friend who is an actuary and I get to hear all the possibilities on a regular basis. It's downright scary sometimes. What is important to note though is that it is interesting how/when the options benefit the homeowner and when they can benefit the mortgage company. Her job is to protect the mortgage company (offset risk). They don't always listen to the advice (which is pretty obvious given the situation today).
>
>So you're saying that taking on non-underwritable mortgages cheap was not her idea? ;)

ROFL. Each company takes on a percentage of those that they are willing to write-off. There was huge pressure from the government to do so. There were statements from each president about raising the number of first-time homeowners and giving everyone the 'American Dream.' Very risky. Another problem not mentioned in the news (or I missed it) is that a percentage of those 'risky mortgages' is for illegal immigrants. Can't track them down when they default. One bank (better not to mention names) did a high number of those. What some banks did was accept unverified identification or fake identification, or even stolen identification (supposedly unknowingly) to meet the Sarbanes Oxley requirements. Proof of identity of each account holder and borrower was a requirement to prevent fraud by the banks (claiming accounts where none existed). The new Patriot Act required it as well. The banks got 'proof' but the 'proof' wasn't always valid and adequately verified.