Here is a tip for those who are shopping for Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs): the "margin" is almost as important as the initial rate. The margin is the percentage point above the average yields for Treasury notes on which future rate adjustments will be calculated.

Let's compare two hypothetical one-year ARMs. The first may have an initial interest rate of 7% with a 2.5 margin, while the second begins at 6 7/8% with a 2.75 margin. Both loans have rate caps of 2%. Suppose that at the end of the first year of the loan, the average of the one-year Treasury note yield has been 5 1/2%. For each loan, the lenders will add the margin to that 5 1/2% average yield. Thus the interest rate for first loan would increase from 7% to 8%, and the second would go from 6 7/8% to 8 1/4%. While the first ARM had a slightly higher initial rate, it will have lower rates in subsequent years, unless the Treasury note rates increase enough to activate the annual caps on the amount of the increase. There is a wide variance among margins in ARMs offered by competing lenders, and this should be a factor when you decide on your loan.

	See All Tips In The "Financing Your Home" Category >
	See Complete Library Of Hundreds Of Tips In 30+ Categories >

Bob Maiocco
Keller Williams, The Maiocco Team, Inc.
6300 South Syracuse Way, #150
Greenwood Village, CO. 80111
Phone: 720-273-4262
Fax: 303-479-7532
Email: bobmaiocco@KW.com

Choosing the best real estate agent to represent you can be a daunting task. Most of us are at least friendly, and many are quite talented. I have an unyielding desire to fully understand your wants, needs, goals and limitations and also the resources to apply a working knowledge of your goals with a comprehensive knowledge of the market inventory and market conditions. I have dedicated my career to learning and developing systems to take in the entire picture, find the perfect homes, and secure the right property at the best possible terms.

www.MyHomeBuyingResource.com is brought to you by Bob and His Team of Experts
NUMBER1EXPERT™ in real estate for Denver, Highlands Ranch and Castle Pines, Colorado

Read Bob and His Team of Experts' Privacy Guarantee, Terms of Service, and Free & Without Obligation Pledge