Figuring out what type of loan to get can be a difficult decision for home buyers to make. It’s really important to have a discussion with your loan officer (ASAP!) so that they can explain the different options to you. People tend to quickly shy away from Adjustable Rate Mortgages, but times have changed – we’re living in a different reality now. The average time people move is every 5-7 years – it’s much more uncommon for anyone to stay in the same house for 20-30 years. If you know your 5 year plan includes buying and subsequently selling, it would definitely make sense for you to consider an adjustable rate mortgage. If you qualify, FHA and other government loans can come with restrictions, but they also have low down payment requirements in case you don’t have a lot of cash saved up. Conventional loans have also become much more available since the down payment requirements have dropped and you aren’t required to put 20% down (depending on your credit). Do your homework – and keep an open mind. There’s no one-size-fits-all here – there are a lot of factors that go into choosing the right loan for you, and your loan officer can help you figure it out so you can get to the fun part – house hunting!
Irene Markulik 