Is It Possible To Get An Interest Only Mortgage

Am I Allowed To Make Extra Repayments

Yes, banks usually allow you to make on your loan.

Making higher repayments can help you reduce the size of your loan much faster. Its also an effective way to minimise the loan term and reduce the interest that youll pay.

Alternatively, to keep your cash flow accessable when you need it, you may want to consider depositing extra funds into an offset account.

However, its important to keep in mind that you cant make extra repayments if youre on a fixed term or, at the very least, your ability to do so is restricted.

The only caveat to this is the fact that interest only periods and fixed terms are independent of each other.

With some lenders, its actually possible to get a 3-year only period on a 3-year fixed term.

The benefit of this is at the end of the 3-year fixed term, you can to a lower interest rate and sign up for another interest only term .

How Does An Adjustable

ARMs are long-term home loans with two different periods, called the fixed period and the adjustable period.

• Fixed period: First, theres an initial fixed-rate period in which your interest rate wont change.
• Adjustment period: Then, theres a period in which your interest rate can go up or down based on changes in the benchmark.

For example, lets say that you take out a 30-year ARM with a 5-year fixed period. That would lead to a fixed rate for the first 5 years of the loan. After that, your rate could go up or down for the remaining 25 years of the loan.

Do You Qualify For An Interest

Interest-only mortgages are an excellent option for people with clear, documented assets, strong credit and a financially sophisticated approach to home ownership.

This type of home loan is attractive for keeping capital available by lower monthly payments for a set period of time before the principal is due.

Carlyle Financial clients come to us because we navigate complex financial scenarios with specialized needs to find the best possible mortgage for you. The following questions came to us from past clients that include executives at industry-leading retailers and startups.

When you work with Carlyle Financial, you can trust we are connected to the marketplace with deep knowledge of lender rates, requirements and maximums.

Before you move forward with an interest-only mortgage loan, review the most common questions from people who have been in your shoes.

Don’t Miss: How Does The 10 Year Bond Affect Mortgage Rates

Case Study: When Interest Only Works

Dale and his partner had been paying off their home loan for 3 years before they decided to take the plunge and buy their first investment property.

They had cleverly been making on their mortgage during this time and, thanks to growth in the value of their property, their was at 80% of the property value.

The couple refinanced their home loan and accessed some and combined this with some of their own savings to use as a 10% deposit on a unit in a neighbouring suburb.

Dale chose a 3-year interest only term and made some extra repayments on his fixed rate investment loan whenever he earned overtime in order to reduce some of the principle.

The fixed rate limited Dale to making a maximum of $10,000 per year in extra repayments but this worked well for the couples financial situation.

In the final year of his interest only period, Dale also began depositing an extra $50 a week into his offset account just in case he needed to access those funds.

What also worked in the couples interest was that they purchased their unit in a growth suburb. So, although they purchased the unit at 90% LVR, their LVR was now at 78% LVR.

At this point, the couple were also in a position to refinance their owner-occupied mortgage, which was now at 70% LVR and, again, used equity to use as a 10% deposit to purchase another investment property.

Who Is Best Suited For An Interest

You might benefit from an interest-only mortgage if one or more of these characteristics apply to you:

• If you do not plan to keep the mortgage longer than the interest-only period.
• If you are buying out another persons ownership in a home and need low monthly payments until you can sell it.
• If you need temporary financing on a new home while youre trying to sell your old home .
• If youre not as concerned about building home equity.
• If youre getting a jumbo loan because the savings from only paying interest on a small loan is minimal.

Read Also: How To Qualify For A Higher Mortgage

How Do Interest Only Mortgages Work

With interest only mortgages you’ll need to find a way to pay off the balance at the end.

If you’re a landlord, you might have a buy to let interest only mortgage . This is an interest only mortgage for a rental property. You could sell the property at the end of the mortgage term and use the money you make to pay off the mortgage.

But you might have an interest only residential mortgage for a property that’s your home. If that’s the case, you’ll either need to save up or invest during the mortgage term. That way you’ll be able to repay the balance when the mortgage ends.

You might be able to pay off your interest only mortgage using a lump sum of cash you’ve inherited. But you’ll usually need to save up using either:

• A savings account

• An investment fund

• Or via stocks and shares

Of course, you do still have the option to sell your home, but you’d need to find somewhere else to live. Alternatively, you could take out a new mortgage.

When you apply for an interest only mortgage, you’ll need to tell the lender how you plan to pay off the balance.

What Insurance Should I Take Out With An Interest

There are no specific insurance policies designed to cover interest-only mortgage borrowers, but the vast majority of homeowners consider protection policies that can help them make their mortgage payments in the event of sickness, disability or the death of one person in a joint mortgage.

Types of policies to consider include

Onlinemortgageadvisor.co.uk is an information website all of our content is written by qualified advisors from the front line, for the sole purpose of offering great, relevant, and up-to-date information on all things mortgages.

Online Mortgage Advisor is a trading name of FIND A MORTGAGE ONLINE LTD, registered in England under number 08662127. We are an officially recognised Introducer Appointed Representative and can be found on the FCA financial services register, number 697688.

The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate some forms of buy to let mortgage.

Think carefully before securing other debts against your home. As a mortgage is secured against your home, it may be repossessed if you do not keep up with repayments on your mortgage.

We are an information-only website and aim to provide the best guides and tips but cant guarantee to be perfect, so do note you use the information at your own risk and we cant accept liability if things go wrong. Please email us at if you see anything that needs updating and we will do so ASAP.

*OMA Mortgage Approval Guarantee is subject to you providing satisfactory documentation. See T& Cs.

Also Check: How Do You Figure Out Mortgage Interest

Interest Only Loan Calculator

Use the interest only loan calculator to work how much more in interest youll pay over the life of your home loan by choosing interest only.

This can help you make a better decision when choosing an interest only term.

By only having to make interest repayments for a period of your loan term, you can reduce the significantly.

Unfortunately, the industry regulator has forced banks to slowdown on approving interest only home loans so is it still possible to make just interest payments?

If you need help with getting a home loan, call 1300 889 743 or complete our to speak with one of our mortgage brokers.

How To Pay Off Your Interest Only Mortgage

It’s very important that if you’ve already got an interest only mortgage, you have a plan in place so you can pay it off when the term ends.

Here are some examples of what your plan could involve:

• You could switch your mortgage to a repayment mortgage and start paying off some of the balance.

• You could make overpayments on your mortgage, as long as your mortgage conditions let you do so. You’d end up paying less interest and also paying off all or some of your balance. This mortgage overpayment calculator shows you how much you’d save in interest.

• You could set up an investment plan, and use the capital to pay off your mortgage at the end of the term.

It’s a good idea to make a plan now and take action, rather than wait until you’re close to the end of your mortgage term.

You May Like: How Fast Can I Get A Mortgage Approved

Getting Approved For An Interest Only Loan

Interest only loans are traditionally beneficial to looking to maximise their cash flow and give them a buffer to invest elsewhere or when building a home.

Qualifying for an interest only home loan will depend on the lender you choose, the percentage of the property value you borrow and the purpose of your loan:

• Interest only home loan: You can borrow up to 90% of the property value if you have a or up to 95% with some of our lenders .
• Interest only investment loan: You can borrow up to 90-95% of your investment property value with interest only repayments .
• Interest only term: The maximum available in Australia is 10 years.
• Getting a low rate: Banks load the interest rate for interest only loans anywhere from 0.1% 0.55%. Youll also over the term.
• Extending an interest only period: by a bank if youve already had an interest only period in which case you may need to refinance.
• Maximising your borrowing power: Banks use if your new or existing loans are interest only.

Alternatives To Interest Only Loans

Compare Mortgage Payments Side-by-Side

Unsure if an interest-only loan is right for you? Compare fixed, adjustable & interest-only mortgages side-by-side.

Not everyone can make an interest only loan work. It is important that the borrower do research to see if such a loan is right for their particular situation. If the borrower finds that the interest only mortgage is not right, then there are other options available. If the borrower is not sure that an interest only mortgage is right, there are other alternatives to consider:

• The borrower should find out if they qualify for community housing that offers low interest rates or reduced fees for homebuyers making their first purchase. This makes owning a home more affordable.
• It is important to shop around for features and terms that fit the budget, so it may be the right decision to consider a fixed-rate mortgage.
• It is important to take time to save money for a bigger down payment, which reduces the amount that needs to be borrowed, which makes payments more affordable.
• The borrower should look for a cheaper home. Once equity is built, the borrower can buy a bigger and more expensive home.

Don’t Miss: Can You Get A Mortgage For A Modular Home

Qualifying For An Interest

You may think that a mortgage with a lower initial down payment would be easier to qualify for on the same income, but thats not necessarily the case. In fact, some lenders may have even more stringent requirements.

As rates continue to creep up, as home prices continue to creep up, interest-only loans become more of an affordability option, but not as a crutch to qualify, says Dallal, because we still qualify the individual as if it was a 30-year payment.

To qualify for an interest-only mortgage loan, youll likely need:

A good FICO score above 700

A low debt-to-income ratio below 36%

A down payment of at least 15%

Sufficient income and assets to repay the loan

That said, Perry notes that interest-only loans can use a variety of means to demonstrate the ability to repay, ranging from using traditional paystubs to calculate income and alternative means, such as using bank statements to derive an income or to make the monthly payment.

Disadvantages Of An Interest

Interest-loans can be risky, especially if you find you are unable to jump to a higher monthly payment when its time to start paying principal. Since new federal consumer-protection guidelines took effect in 2013, lenders know what sort of loans they can offer and to whom.

Here are other things you should consider before pursuing an interest-only mortgage:

Read Also: How Much Of Your Monthly Salary Should Go To Mortgage

Get Matched With An Interest

Whatever your reason for choosing an interest-only mortgage, the brokers we work with are experts in this field, and can find the most suitable deal for your needs, and circumstances. As well as helping you to secure the best rates, they can ensure the lender accepts your chosen repayment vehicle, and help you prepare your application for a smooth transaction.

Our free broker matching service will introduce you to the most suitable broker, so contact us on 0808 189 2301 or via this form, and well get you started with a free, no-obligation chat.

What Are Your Rates

Rates are variable and depend on your specific situation including income documentation over three years, which product fits your priorities and your credit score.

Before you decide to get an interest-only mortgage loan, have a good idea of your income for the last two years at a minimum with year to date records. If you had your FICO score checked recently, this can help us determine the range of your rate more quickly. If you have a previous quote from a lender, share it with us so we can help you determine if its the best option for you.

Are you interested in qualifying for an interest-only mortgage? Working with the right lender can help you stay ahead of complex issues with suggestions and advice to keep the process moving. Contact a mortgage banker at Carlyle Financial today to learn more.

Recommended Reading: What Is My Monthly Payment On A 250 000 Mortgage

Interest Only Mortgage Broker

If youre thinking about purchasing a property, then you may be considering an interest only mortgage, and its best to work with a specialist mortgage broker to help you find the best deal possible. There are a number of additional factors and criteria to consider, and it can be harder to arrange compared to a traditional repayment mortgage however, not impossible.

Can I Extend The Interest Only Period

The interest only period normally lasts for 5 years. This means that youll only need to pay the interest portion of the repayments until the term ends.

Most lenders will allow you to extend the interest only term by another 5 years depending on how regular you are with your payments. A handful of lenders may even consider extending the period by 10 years.

We can help you refinance with a lender that can offer you a second or third 5-year period as long as this does not put you at a financial disadvantage and you have a good reason for choosing interest only repayments.

For investment loans in particular, refinancing is the best way to keep your repayments to a minimum.

Also Check: How Do I Become A Mortgage Loan Officer

Does The Type Of Loan And Loan Payment Plan Make Much Difference

Yes. . . for both the growth of your investment in your home and the amount of your monthly payments during the term of the loan.

Equity growth. During the first few years of a traditional mortgage loan, most of your monthly payment goes to interest. The rest goes toward the principal, so that you start to build equity in your home through payments. Thus, the amount you owe declines and you own more of your home. If you make interest-only payments, you are not building equity. And if you make only the minimum payments with a payment-option ARM, you may actually be adding to the amount you owe because unpaid interest is added to the loan’s principal. For example, if you were to buy a $200,000 home with a 10% downpayment and a $180,000 mortgage, here’s what your home equity might look like after 5 years with different kinds of loans.

What Is An Adjustable Rate Mortgage

Homeownership marks the start of your next chapter. Before you can dive into the home of your dreams, youll need to decide which mortgage will work best for your financial goals. One of those options is an adjustable-rate mortgage. But what is an adjustable-rate mortgage? Lets explore this option so that you can decide if it is right for you.

Recommended Reading: How Does Filing Bankruptcy Affect Your Mortgage

Who Should Consider An Interest

Interest-only mortgages have a unique structure that is only favourable in some circumstances. Below is a list of scenarios where an interest-only mortgage is desirable.

• Youre purchasing and selling the property in a short period of time.
• Able to afford a large payment increase in the future in exchange for a lower payment now.
• You do not earn a flat salary and have a variable salary instead.
• Able to earn more with your money elsewhere in the short term.
• Youre a first time home buyer who is not accustomed to making mortgage payments and other homeownership costs.