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There are a number of good reasons to consider an
interest only loan. For instance, it might make good financial
sense. On a traditional 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, roughly 70% of
the payment goes toward interest during the first six or seven years
of the loan. If your interest rate is low, then you've borrowed
money at a good rate.
Instead of paying down that low rate loan, you could take the extra
money you'd have each month from making interest-only payments, and
invest it in something that would bring you a higher rate of return.
Depending on your loan amount, you could have access to thousands of
dollars over the course of several years to invest or reduce high
interest debt, including credit card debt.
An interest-only home loan may also be a good option for people who
expect to be in their homes for less than ten years. The average
homeowner stays in their home between five and seven years. As
mentioned before, home mortgage payments are mostly interest for the
first years of the loan. Many homeowners like the option of making
interest-only payments and using the extra money as they please -
save for college tuition, make home improvements, or buy a
much-needed new car.
Common Misconceptions About Interest-Only Loans
While an interest-only loan may be an appealing option to many,
there are a number of common misconceptions that you should be aware
of prior to making any final decisions.
One common myth is that if you're not paying down your loan's
principal, you're not building equity in your home. This is not
necessarily true. Homes in the U.S. have been appreciating between 5
and 6% a year. Chances are that even if you're not paying down your
principal, you're building equity in your home through appreciation.
You should also know that with any Quicken Loans interest-only home
loan, there are never any prepayment penalties. You can refinance
anytime.
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