Adjustable-Rate Mortagages:

Assist borrowers in obtaining a larger loan amount

• This is possible because qualifications are at a lower interest rate.
• Save money in the early years.
• Lower initial interest rate than a traditional fixed-rate loan
• Have a variety of adjustment periods
  (See Intermediate ARMS)

Best for people who:

• Need extra borrowing power
• Want to save money in the first few years
• Plan to move or refinance in a few years
• Are purchasing or refinancing at a time when interest rates are comparatively high

Adjustable-Rate Mortgages (also called ARMs) feature an interest rate that periodically adjusts with changing market rates. ARMs are available in government, conforming and jumbo loan amounts. The ARM allows you to take advantage of lower interest rates in a falling rate environment, and you'll benefit from lower monthly payments. The initial interest rate on an ARM is usually lower than the lifetime interest rate on a fixed-rate mortgage (FRM). ARM interest rates and the degree to which they fluctuate at the end of every adjustment period, are determined by:

• Index: Published economic indices such as U.S. Treasury Securities or London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) that are used to direct the adjustment.
• Margin: A fixed percentage (usually two to three percent) that is added to the index at each adjustment period
• Rate Cap: Typically the maximum amount your rate can increase or decrease per adjustment period (2%) and over the life of the loan (6%). This protects you in case of volatile market swings.