All Topics > Real Estate Resources > Financing > Adjustable Rate Mortgages > Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) >

Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) Maryland

With an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM), the interest rate changes periodically, usually in relation to an index, and payments may go up or down accordingly.

Local Companies

Admiral Mortgage
410-559-6491
25 S Charles St
Baltimore, MD

BASK Properties
717-830-2767
240 South Potomac St
Hagerstown, MD

Residential Home Loan Center
410-534-3290
2208 Eastern Ave
Baltimore, MD

Proficio Mortgage Ventures
303.448.2920
11219 Lockwood Dr.
Silver Spring, MD

AA Mortgage Gro
443-869-5682
8 W West St
Baltimore, MD

Family First Mortgage Group LLC
410-793-1192
3525 H Ellicott Mills Dr.
Ellicott City, MD

SunTrust Mortgage
410-308-6000
1966 Greenspring Dr
Timonium, MD

Allied Home Mortgage Capital Corporation
410-783-9407
516 N Charles St
Baltimore, MD

Baltimore HUD Homes
(443) 866-8699
1953 Laurel Oak Dr
Baltimore, MD

American Home Loans
410-230-0232
1 E Chase St
Baltimore, MD

provided by:

With a fixed-rate mortgage, the interest rate stays the same during the life of the loan. With an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM), the interest rate changes periodically, usually in relation to an index, and payments may go up or down accordingly.

Adjustable Rate Mortgages

At-A-Glance

Pro	Con
Lower initial interest rates	Lower rate means you potentially assume more risk
If interest rates remain steady or decrease, could be less expensive over time	If interest rates increase, you’ll be faced with higher monthly payments in the future

TIP: Before deciding that an ARM is right for you, ask yourself these questions:

Is my income likely to rise enough to cover higher mortgage payments if interest rates go up?
Will I be taking on other sizable debts, such as a loan for a car or school tuition, in the near future?
How long do I plan to own this home? (If you plan to sell soon, rising interest rates may not pose the problem they do if you plan to own the house for a long time.)
Can my payments increase even if interest rates generally do not increase?

The Basic Features

The Adjustment Period: With most ARMs the adjustment period occurs every one, three or five years, resulting in a change in your interest rate and monthly payment.

The Index: Most lenders tie ARM interest rate changes to changes in an index rate. These indexes usually go up and down with the general movement of interest rates, making your monthly payment amount rise or fall accordingly.

The Margin: To determine the interest rate on an ARM, lenders add to the index rate a few percentage points called the margin. The amount of the margin can differ from one lender to another, but it is usually constant over the life of the loan.

This information is adapted from "Consumer Handbook on Adjustable Rate Mortgages" published by the Federal Reserve Board and the Office of Thrift Supervision.

Published on January 25, 2007

Read full article at realestate.com

Featured Local Company

Admiral Mortgage

410-559-6491
25 S Charles St
Baltimore, MD

Read more about Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs)

- Choosing an Investment Property Mortgage Maryland

If you are interested in owning investment property, you'll need to find a good mortgage. This article gives you tips on how to choose a mortgage, with descriptions of different types of mortgages that are available.

- Shopping for Foreclosures Maryland
- Great Market for Home Buyers Maryland
- Pros and Cons of Fixed and Adjustable Rate Mortgages Maryland
- End Mortgage Confusion: Top 10 Things to Ask Your Lender Maryland
- New Freddie Mac® Rules Affect Borrowers Maryland
- Step 7: Choosing the Right Mortgage Maryland
- Is Your ARM About to Reset? Maryland
- Finding the Right Home Loan Maryland
- Mortgage basics Maryland

Regional Articles

- Choosing an Investment Property Mortgage Maryland

Related Local Event

Free Introductury Real Estate Investing Class
Dates: 6/30/2009 - 6/30/2009
Location: Investors United School of Real Estate
Baltimore, MD
View Details

Advertising	Food & Beverage	Nightlife
Business Services	Franchise	Online Database
Career	Health	Pets
Cars	Holidays	Real Estate Resources
Computer Hardware	Home Appliances	Retail & Consumer Services
Construction	Home Electronics	Software
Education	Home Services	Technology
Entertainment	Industrial Goods & Services	Telecommunications
Environmental	Insurance	Trade Shows
Family	Internet	Travel
Fashion	Legal	Weddings
Financial Services	Miscellaneous	World History

Advertising	Family	Home Services	Real Estate Resources
Business Services	Fashion	Industrial Goods & Services	Retail & Consumer Services
Career	Financial Services	Insurance	Software
Cars	Food & Beverage	Internet	Technology
Computer Hardware	Franchise	Legal	Telecommunications
Construction	Health	Miscellaneous	Trade Shows
Education	Holidays	Nightlife	Travel
Entertainment	Home Appliances	Online Database	Weddings
Environmental	Home Electronics	Pets	World History