Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARM)

Introductory Rate ARMs

Most adjustable rate loans have a low introductory rate or start rate, sometimes as much as 5.0 percent below the current market rate of a fixed loan. This start rate is usually good from one month to as long as 10 years. As a rule, the lower the start rate, the shorter the time before the loan makes its first adjustment.

Interim Caps

All adjustable rate loans carry interim caps. Many ARMs have interest rate caps of six months or a year. There are also loans that have interest rate caps of three years. Interest rate caps are beneficial in rising interest rate markets but can also keep your interest rate higher than the fully indexed rate if rates are falling rapidly.

Index

The index of an ARM is the financial instrument to which the loan is “tied” or adjusted. The most common indices or indexes are the 1-Year Treasury Security, LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate), Prime, 6-Month Certificate of Deposit (CD), and the 11th District Cost of Funds (COFI). Each of these indices moves up or down based on conditions of the financial markets.

Lifetime Caps

Almost all ARMs have a maximum interest rate or lifetime interest rate cap. The lifetime cap varies from company to company and loan to loan. Loans with low lifetime caps usually have higher margins, and the reverse is also true. Loans that carry low margins often have higher lifetime caps.

Margin

The margin is one of the most important aspects of ARMs because it is added to the index to determine the interest rate you pay. The margin added to the index is known as the fully indexed rate. For example, if the current index value is 5.50 percent and your loan has a margin of 2.5 percent, your fully indexed interest rate is 8.00 percent. Margins on loans range from 1.75-3.5 percent depending on the index and the amount financed in relation to the property value.