An adjustable-rate hybrid mortgage, or hybrid arm (also known as a fixed-period ARM), combines the features of a fixed-rate mortgage with an adjustable-rate mortgage. This type of mortgage will have an initial fixed interest rate period followed by an adjustable rate period. A hybrid mortgage offers a personalized approach to accruing interest on your mortgage. By offering the best of both worlds for those who prefer not to face the risks associated with charging interest with a rate structure, a hybrid mortgage allows access to fixed and variable rates.
But it's best to look at this type of mortgage from all angles before taking out a loan. Due to the payment limit, you may find that you're paying more for the hybrid mortgage than for the original loan amount, which could negate any savings you received during the fixed-rate period. For five-year hybrid ARM loans, the initial adjustment limit may be 1 percentage point with a lifetime adjustment limit of 5 percentage points or an initial adjustment limit of 2 percentage points with a lifetime adjustment limit of 6 percentage points. This can lead to a longer repayment period when paying your mortgage and put more pressure on the amount of interest accrued on your loan.
However, recent rate hikes indicate that it may be time for both buyers and homeowners to compare mortgage rates and reconsider their lending options. In this environment, a hybrid loan option could be attractive, as it would provide borrowers with more flexibility and reduce the impact that a variable interest rate alone would have on their mortgage payments. A hybrid mortgage is a mortgage loan with a fixed interest rate for a specified period of time, after which the rate is adjusted periodically for the remaining term of the loan. Hybrid mortgages can offer many advantages, including the freedom to divide the loan into two or more parts, each with its own rate, term and payment schedule.
In short, a hybrid mortgage combines the features of a fixed-rate mortgage and an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM). A 30-year mortgage loan, consisting of an initial term in which interest is accrued at a fixed rate, after which it is automatically converted into accrued interest at an adjustable rate for the remaining term. With a three-year hybrid ARM loan, the initial adjustment limit is 1 percentage point and the lifetime adjustment limit is 5 percentage points. While lenders can adjust the interest rate on their hybrid mortgage, which could affect your monthly payment, the adjustments they can make have limits.
Whether you are buying a home for the first time or are looking to refinance, a hybrid mortgage may be a good option if you want a relatively stable mortgage payment with the opportunity to benefit from lower interest rates if available. In this case, you could explore other hybrid options and invest 50% of your loan in a mortgage and 50% in a home equity line of credit (HELOC). If your credit needs a boost, you can benefit from relatively low rates during the first few years of a hybrid loan.
