All loan options are not the same; there are huge differences in them with respect to the options they provide. Sometimes with all these features it becomes very difficult to choose the loan option that could be ideal for you. In order to make the process of deciding which loan to take, let us first know what the different types of loans are.

1. Fixed Rate Mortgage Loans

These are the most popular types of loans available. With these loans, the mortgage rates are fixed throughout the life of the loan. Even within fixed mortgage loans, there are different kinds according to their tenures:-

a) 30-year Fixed Rate Loans: These loans are preferred by people who wish to stay in their houses for longer periods of time. Since the repayment is spread over to a period of thirty years, the amount paid back each month is low, which allows the family to have some liquidity in hand. However, the borrower will end up paying more in the long run because of the more interest paid.

b) 15-year Fixed Rate Loans: The shorter period makes it possible for the house to become the borrower’s sooner, but he/she would have to make much higher monthly payments. The interest rate would also be half of that on the 30-year loan.

c) Biweekly Loans: With these loans, the payments are to be made every fortnight instead of every month. They are generally given on 30-year loans. Due to the excess payments made, the loans get over in something like 23 years. Also the loan builds up the equity faster. But some people might find the frequency of the payments too much to keep up with.

2. Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loans

With adjustable rate mortgage loans, the rates of interest are subjected to ups and downs as per mortgage trends. Generally these loans begin with lower rates of interest, and they could build up over time. The advantage with these loans is that the rates of interest in the beginning could be lower since the borrower would lock in a low rate of interest. But the rates could go higher at any time and then the borrower would have to make highly monthly payments.

There are some other aspects to home loans that must be known well in advance. Let us see these options.

1. Hybrid and Convertible ARM – These loans provide the borrower with the ability to switch from a fixed rate of interest to an adjustable rate, or from an adjustable rate of interest to a fixed rate. Hence the loans become flexible. Naturally it makes sense to convert with these loans only if the rates are lower than with the option you are currently using.

2. Interest Only Loans – In these loans, the borrower is supposed to make only the payments on the interest month after month, but will have to pay lump sums on the principal periodically. Interest only loans are those for people who work with lower salaries but get huge bonuses at the end of the year. This makes it possible for the borrower to get higher loans and keep more money in his/her pocket for all year round. But the disadvantage is that these loans do not make any payments on the home all through the year.

3. Balloon Loans – These loans carry very small payments for their tenure, but at the time of closing, the borrower needs to make a huge balloon payment. This could be done in a lump sum or the loan could be refinanced. This method works very well for people who want to sell their houses before the balloon payment is due. But if the person does not have the balloon payment when it becomes due, then he/she risks losing the home itself.

4. Reserve Mortgage Loans – These loans are specially designed for seniors who have good equities on their homes. On these loans, there are no monthly payments to be made. But the borrowers would lose out on their equities for inheritors, and the loan needs to be paid off if the house needs to be sold.

5. Buy-down Mortgage Loan – There are two types of this loan; with temporary and permanent methods of repayment. Both types work on point basis and have lower interest rates. The repayments are significantly lower, but the down payment tends to be higher.

Finally, there are some special mortgage plans for borrowers.

1. FHA Mortgage Loans – These loans are ideal for people who are taking a home for the first time and have not yet built up their credit ratings. Low down payments are needed, but there is a cap on the amount given as a loan, and there are restrictions applicable.

2. Veteran Affairs Loans – These loans are especially designed for people in the armed forces. There is no down payment needed, and the repayment terms are quite lax. But these loans are not for everyone, and they are designed only for longer periods of time.

Hence, there are a large number of mortgage options available. If you are contemplating on taking a home on a mortgage, you must take time out and study the different types and the features they have. This could save money for you, and make the repayments suited to your situation and budget.