BankHeadOffice.com         Bank Head Office Worldwide   ♦ Loan Calculators ♦ Mortgage Guides ♦ Banking FAQs ♦ Banking Institutions ♦ Central Banks Worldwide       Home  »  Mortgage Guides  »  Fixed Rate Mortgage Fixed Rate Mortgage A Fixed Rate Mortgage (FRM) is a mortgage loan first developed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) where the interest rate on the note remains the same through the term of the loan, as opposed to loans where the interest rate may adjust or float. Other forms of mortgage loan include interest only mortgage, graduated payment mortgage, variable rate (including adjustable rate mortgages and tracker mortgages) , negative amortization mortgage, and balloon payment mortgage. The fixed monthly payment for a fixed rate mortgage is the amount paid by the borrower every month that ensures that the loan is paid off in full with interest at the end of its term. Please note that each of the loan types above except for a straight adjustable rate mortgage can have a period of the loan for which a fixed rate may apply. A 'Balloon Payment' mortgage, for example, can have a fixed rate for the term of the loan followed by the ending balloon payment. Terminology may differ from country to country: loans for which the rate is fixed for less than the life of the loan may be called hybrid adjustable rate mortgages (in the United States).   This payment amount is independent of the additional costs on a home sometimes handled in escrow, such as property taxes and property insurance. Consequently, payments made by the borrower may change over time with the changing escrow amount, but the payments handling the principal and interest on the loan will remain the same. Fixed rate mortgages are characterized by their interest rate (including compounding frequency, amount of loan, and term of the mortgage). With these three values, the calculation of the monthly payment can then be done. Fixed rate mortgages are often referred to as 'plain vanilla' mortgage products for their ease of comprehension among borrowers, lacking many of the dangerous features that can come about ARMs or floating-rate mortgages with fixed 'teaser rates'.   Fixed rate mortgages are the most classic form of loan for home and product purchasing in the United States. The most common terms are 15-year and 30-year mortgages, but shorter terms are available, and 40-year and 50-year mortgages are now available (common in areas with high priced housing, where even a 30-year term leaves the mortgage amount out of reach of the average family). Outside the United States, fixed-rate mortgages are less popular, and in some countries, true fixed-rate mortgages are not available except for shorter-term loans. For example, in Canada the longest term for which a mortgage rate can be fixed is typically no more than ten years, while mortgage maturities are commonly 25 years. Fixed rate mortgages are usually more expensive than adjustable rate mortgages. Due to the inherent interest rate risk, long-term fixed rate loans will tend to be at a higher interest rate than short-term loans. The relationship between interest rates for short and long-term loans is represented by the yield curve, which generally slopes upward (longer terms are more expensive). The opposite circumstance is known as an inverted yield curve and occurs less often. The fact that a fixed rate mortgage has a higher starting interest rate does not indicate that this is a worse form of borrowing compared to the adjustable rate mortgages. If interest rates rise, the ARM cost will be higher while the FRM will remain the same. In effect, the lender has agreed to take the interest rate risk on a fixed rate loan. Some studies have shown that the majority of borrowers with adjustable rate mortgages save money in the long term, but that some borrowers pay more. The price of potentially saving money, in other words, is balanced by the risk of potentially higher costs. In each case, a choice would need to be made based upon the loan term, the current interest rate, and the likelihood that the rate will increase or decrease during the life of the loan. In the United States, fixed rate mortgages, like other types of mortgage, may offer the ability to prepay principal (or capital) early without penalty. Early payments of part of the principal will reduce the total cost of the loan (total interest paid), and will shorten the amount of time needed to pay off the loan. Early payoff of the entire loan amount through refinancing is sometimes done when interest rates drop significantly. Some mortgages may offer a lower interest rate in exchange for the borrower accepting a prepayment penalty.   Mortgage Guides Mortgage Basics Mortgage Underwriting Mortgage Repayment Islamic Mortgages Mortgage Types Mortgage Calculator Mortgage Insurance Mortgage Amortization Mortgage Refinance Fixed Rate Mortgage Adjustable Rate Mortgage Foreclosure   Mortgage Tools Download Home Loan Calculator Mortgage Amortization Schedule                 DISCLAIMER The content comes from Internet, reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information published. However, information could contain errors or inaccuracies and is presented without warranty and statutory means. No liability is assumed for errors or omissions. Viewers are advised to consult their banker or financial consultant for complete information and their professional advise. 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