Equity Home Loan

What are interest-only loans? How are they structured and who are they right for? How do you avoid common mistakes people make when choosing interest-only loans?

Loans with the option of paying only the interest every month are called interest-only loans. These loans allow you to pay on the principal balance only when you want to or when it is convenient for you.

Most interest-only (IO) loans carry this option to pay the interest only for a limited amount of time, usually from 5 to 10 years. The remaining principal balance comes due at the end of the term.

IO loans can be a good choice for borrowers whose incomes tend to fluctuate from month to month.

However, this aspect of IO loans can be a pitfall for borrowers who are not disciplined enough to pay on the principal when they are not required to do so..

Borrowers who expect to see an increase in their income during the term of the loan should consider loans with IO options. First time homebuyers can also benefit from IO loans, if they expect to upgrade from their starter home to a bigger home soon.

Another advantage of interest-only loans is that they require lower initial payments, which means borrowers can qualify for larger loan amounts than loans without interest-only options.

Is your home going to be your top priority investment, or do you want more cash to direct to other investments that offer higher returns? If you invest in stocks or your own business, and interest-only loan might be the right option for you. Just make sure your investments are yielding a higher return than the interest rate on your IO loan.

Are you expecting to resell your home during the term of the IO loan for a profit? Is the market you are looking to buy in rapidly appreciating? If so, an interest-only loan might be the right choice for you.

Interest only loans do carry risks, and borrowers must understand these risks if they are to take advantage of IO options. What if you do not see the increase in income you expected? What if you cannot sell your home later for a profit, or what if the market does not appreciate as much as you expected? What if the market depreciates?

There are dishonest lenders out there, and they often deceive borrowers when it comes to interest-only loans. One common deception is that lenders lead borrowers to believe that the interest rate on an IO loan is lower than the interest rate on loans without an interest-only option. This is not the case. IO loans carry higher risks for the lender, so they always carry higher interest rates.

Dishonest lenders sometimes deceive borrowers into thinking that they can avoid buying mortgage insurance by choosing an interest-only loan. Again, because IO loans are high-risk for the lender, the borrower is always required to carry mortgage insurance.

Comparing different types of loans is the most important step in choosing the best loan for you. Every situation is unique, and understanding how loans are structured will help you make the right decision. Identify your goals, and you will be able to identify the right loan to help you reach them.

Alan Jason Smith is the owner of http://www.loansonnet.com which is a great place to find loan links, resources and articles. For more information go to: http://www.loansonnet.com. Copyright 2005

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If you are shopping for a house or refinancing, youve probably seen ads for interest-only loans. While this type of loan is beneficial for some homebuyers, other homebuyers might regret the decision to take out an interest-only loan.

Interest-only (IO) loans are structured so that the borrower pays the interest every month. The borrower is not required to pay on the principal balance, although the borrower does have that option.

Usually, this option to pay interest only lasts for a limited period of time, typically between 5 and 10 years.

This type of loan can benefit borrowers who have fluctuating incomes, or who expect to see an increase in their income sometime in the near future. Because the borrower has the option of paying on the principal when it is convenient, some borrowers feel more comfortable with IO loans, rather than other types of loans that require payments on the principal each month.

However, if the borrower does not pay down the principal at all, then the entire balance will be due at the end of the term. With IO loans, any unpaid principal must be paid or refinanced when the term is up.

Homebuyers looking for a starter home often choose IO loans, because they expect an increase in income to upgrade into a second home sometime soon.

For homebuyers who wish to maximize their options, IO loans can be helpful because they require a lower initial payment, which means the borrower can usually qualify for a bigger loan.

Borrowers with other high-return investments can also profit from interest-only loans, as the increased monthly cash flow allows them to put money into stocks, or into their own business. When the other investments earn more interest than the interest rate on the IO loan, this is a profitable option.

Buyers looking for real estate in rapidly appreciating markets might benefit from interest-only loans as well. If you expect to flip your home that is, resell it in the near future at a profit an IO loan might be the smartest choice.

Interest-only loans do carry risks for the borrower. What if the expected higher income never comes? What if you expect to resell your house, but cannot find a buyer or a profitable offer? And not all borrowers can bring themselves to pay down the principal when they are not required to do so.

With predatory lending on the rise, be wary of lenders who offer interest-only loans at a lower interest rate than other types of loans. IO loans typically carry a higher interest rate than loans without an interest-only option. Be suspicious of low rates on interest only loans.

Another common deception is that IO loans allow the borrower to avoid paying for mortgage insurance. This is never the case. Because IO loans are riskier for the lender than other loans, lenders will require mortgage insurance on the loan.

Every situation is unique, and the key to making a sound financial decision when it comes to comparing loans is to understand your options. There are many types of mortgage loans to choose from, and one of them is surely best for you. Understanding how the loans work is the first step in choosing the right one.

Alan Jason Smith is the owner of http://www.loansonnet.com which is a great place to find loan links, resources and articles. For more information go to: http://www.loansonnet.com. Copyright 2005

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