Because there are a lot of types of mortgages that exist, knowing how to choose the right one can often times be challenging. To be able understand the different options, we have provided a brief breakdown. Take into account that the country has been in a mess with regards to mortgage lenders giving out money to people that could not afford to buy so make sure you are in a financial position to succeed as a homeowner.

Fixed rate Mortgage is the first type of mortgage which is also referred to as FRM. It is designed so that the interest rate would not change all through out the life of the loan. The advantage of this type of mortgage is that every month, the amount of the mortgage payment would be consistent, thus making it much easier to create a monthly budget.

Adjustable Rate Mortgage, or the ARM is the next type of mortgage. This differs from an FRM because the approved interest rate would fluctuate depending on the current market’s movement. The ARM is preferred to offer by mortgage lenders because some risk would be eliminate. Just like for instance, if mortgage rates increase, interest rates also increase. Of course, interest for an ARM can also go down and typically, the rate at loan origination would be lower than what you could get with an FRM.

While the ARM sounds similar to a Graduated Rate Mortgage (GRM), they are different. For the GRM, the interest rate would change but instead of jumps, the increase is done gradually over a specified amount of time. Because you would be notified of any change in payment, you know exactly your monthly obligation. Additionally, this type of loan starts low and as the term progresses, the payment would increase. Usually, people buying a first home, moving to a new city, or starting a new career would consider the GRM over other mortgage options.

The last mortgage type that we would to address is the Balloon Payment Mortgage, which can be established with either fixed or adjustable terms, basing on the lending institution. The primary consideration for this certain loan is that while monthly payments start low, once the loan reaches maturity, you would be required to pay any balance in one, lump sum, which is generally large. As often, this type of loan is offered to commercial borrowers in that risk for residential borrowers is too great for lenders to approve.

Remember, while this information should help, if you are unsure as to the right mortgage for your specific situation, we strongly recommend you visit your local bank, a mortgage company, or other lending institution for guidance. In addition, you can search through top search engines for mortgage calculators and crunch numbers on your own.

Lou Fresco is a real estate investor based in Texas. He is a former estate agent and writes widely about issues related to real estate and finance. His current interests are focused on the UK home buyers market and how it’s been affected by their property crash.