New mortgage loan products offer a more complex selection of terms. Lenders now offer mortgages that are blends of short-term ARMs and 30-year fixed-rate loans with a lower fixed-rate of interest for a period of five, seven or ten years. Be sure that you understand what happens at the end of the initial term before you sign on the dotted line for such a loan.

Many of these loans revert to a 1-year adjustable rate loan at the end of the initial term and can be adjusted once a year based on an index tied to the cost of money. You should know how much over the index your rate will be set and the limit or cap on how much your payments can increase. A "balloon" note requires the entire balance to be paid to the lender after the initial period of the loan ends. Most of these loans require the lender to guarantee to refinance the note at that point if payments have been timely. The lender should spell out how the re-finance rate will be determined and what costs will be involved. These loans can help you buy a more expensive house than you could afford with a 30-year fixed rate mortgage, but be sure that you understand the terms and the potential risks.

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Jane Walters
Prudential CT Realty
69 East Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06851
203-899-3236
Fax: 203-857-7842
JaneWalters@NUMBER1EXPERT.com

For information on the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit, go to my Home Page, click on "Buyer Information" and then click on "First Time Homebuyer." As an Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR), I'm happy to help you with your first home purchase. I’m a full-time, top producing Realtor and although it may sound like a cliché, I love what I do. For over a decade, I’ve worked with buyers and sellers in Norwalk/Rowayton and the surrounding communities of Wilton, Darien and other areas of lower Fairfield County. I’m a lifelong resident and I know the area well. Take a look at my website and you’ll find property listings, community information, school reports, mortgage information, real estate tidbits and much more – it’s one stop shopping! When you’re ready to move forward, I’m here to help you with your real estate needs.