[Visual of a super: FIXED VS ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGES]

Fixed versus adjustable-rate mortgages.

[Visual of a hand dropping coins into the roof of a model house.]

Mortgages aren’t "one size fits all." And to get the one that’s best for you, it’s important to understand what makes them all different.

To keep this simple, we’re going to focus on two different kinds of mortgages: a fixed-rate mortgage, and an adjustable-rate mortgage. While there are a lot of different kinds of mortgages within those categories, figuring out which of these two types best suits your needs is a good place to start.

[Visual of a man walking down a long path toward a home.]

A fixed-rate mortgage is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a mortgage that keeps the same rate for the entire life of the loan, typically 15- or 30-year terms.

[Visual of “30 years” being written on the man’s path. A timeline forms on the right of the path, ticking off every 10 years.]

So let’s say you take out a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a $2,000 monthly payment this year. You’ll still be making that same payment of principal and interest 10, 20 and 30 years down the line.

Then there are adjustable-rate mortgages, also known as ARMs.

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These mortgages have interest rates that can change depending on market conditions, meaning that your monthly payment can go up or down.

[Visual of a control panel with levers at different settings, with a big button to the right that reads “reset.”]

The most popular type of ARM taken out today is a fixed-period ARM, also known as a hybrid ARM. They’re based on a 30-year term and typically start with an initial fixed-interest rate for a specific period of time, usually five, seven or ten years.

[Visual of a graph titled “5y/6m ARM,” with axes reading “Interest Rates” and “Years.”]

For example, a five-year ARM may be referred to as a 5/6 ARM, and its interest rate will stay the same for that first five years. Because the interest stays the same for five years, the monthly payment of principal and interest will also stay the same for this time period.

[Visual of a red line on the graph fluctuating up and down every 5 years.]

But after the fifth year, the interest rate is subject to change every 6 months for the remaining 25 years left on the mortgage. The rate will change based upon changes in the current financial market, and that means that your monthly payments will change based on the interest rate applicable at the time of adjustment.

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So make sure that you’re prepared to make higher monthly payments if interest rates rise.

So which of these loan types is best for your situation? Asking yourself some key questions can help you figure it out.

[Visual of three questions written out: 1. Predictable payment? 2. Long term stay? 3. Stable rates?]

One – do you want the predictability of knowing what your principal and interest payments will be? Two – are you planning to stay in your home for a long period of time? And three – do you want protection from rising interest rates in the future?

[Visual of a title appearing above the questions: Fixed Rate Mortgage.]

If you answered yes to any of these questions, a fixed-rate mortgage may offer you the stability and predictability you need, especially if this home is where you plan on raising your family or retiring.

[Visual of three questions written out: 1. Length of stay? 2. Interest rate may go down? 3. Affordable reset rate?]

And now a few questions to help see if an ARM offers what you need. One – is this a starter home, or one that you aren’t planning to stay in for a long period of time? Two – do you believe that interest rates might go down in the future? And three – will you be able to afford your payments when the fixed-rate period is over and the rate resets, and possibly goes up?

[Visual of a title appearing above the questions: Adjustable Rate Mortgage.]

Now, if you answered yes to any of those questions, then an ARM might give you the biggest bang for your buck in the short term. That’s because many times the interest rate during the fixed period of the loan will be lower than what you’d typically get with a fixed-rate loan.

[Visual of a man looking over his budget and finances with his partner, thinking about a home.”]

So when it comes to buying a home, whether now or in the future, it’s important to know the ins and outs of getting the right mortgage. What’s more, you need to have your financial house in order before you get started, so work out a budget. Look up current interest rates. Run some numbers using an online mortgage calculator. And be sure to be honest with yourself about how much home you can really afford. Because you’re not only setting out the welcome mat for a happy home, you’re making a financial commitment for many years to come.

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