By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
85209.com85209.com85209.com
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
  • Live Local
    • Eat Local
    • Local Events
    • Shop Local
  • Mesa News
  • Real Estate
  • School News
  • Podcast Episodes
  • Search Homes
  • Sell My Home
  • Cash Offer for My Home
Reading: Why You Don’t Need To Fear the Return of Adjustable-Rate Mortgages
Share
Font ResizerAa
85209.com85209.com
  • Live Local
  • Mesa News
  • Real Estate
  • School News
  • Podcast Episodes
  • Search Homes
  • Sell My Home
  • Cash Offer for My Home
Search
  • Live Local
    • Eat Local
    • Local Events
    • Shop Local
  • Mesa News
  • Real Estate
  • School News
  • Podcast Episodes
  • Search Homes
  • Sell My Home
  • Cash Offer for My Home
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
85209.com > Blog > Real Estate > Why You Don’t Need To Fear the Return of Adjustable-Rate Mortgages
Real Estate

Why You Don’t Need To Fear the Return of Adjustable-Rate Mortgages

Klaus Team
Last updated: August 22, 2023 10:30 am
Klaus Team
Published: August 22, 2023
Share
SHARE

Why You Don’t Need To Fear the Return of Adjustable-Rate Mortgages Simplifying The Market

Contents
    • Why ARMs Have Gained Popularity More Recently
    • Why Today’s ARMs Aren’t Like the Ones in 2008
  • Bottom Line

If you remember the housing crash back in 2008, you may recall just how popular adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) were back then. And after years of being virtually nonexistent, more people are once again using ARMs when buying a home. Let’s break down why that’s happening and why this isn’t cause for concern.

Why ARMs Have Gained Popularity More Recently

This graph uses data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) to show how the percentage of adjustable-rate mortgages has increased over the past few years:

As the graph conveys, after hovering around 3% of all mortgages in 2021, many more homeowners turned to adjustable-rate mortgages again last year. There’s a simple explanation for that increase. Last year is when mortgage rates climbed dramatically. With higher borrowing costs, some homeowners decided to take out this type of loan because traditional borrowing costs were high, and an ARM gave them a lower rate. 

Why Today’s ARMs Aren’t Like the Ones in 2008

To put things into perspective, let’s remember these aren’t like the ARMs that became popular leading up to 2008. Part of what caused the housing crash was loose lending standards. Back then, when a buyer got an ARM, banks and lenders didn’t require proof of their employment, assets, income, etc. Basically, people were getting loans that they shouldn’t have been awarded. This set many homeowners up for trouble because they couldn’t pay back the loans that they never had to qualify for in the first place.

This time around, lending standards are different. Banks and lenders learned from the crash, and now they verify income, assets, employment, and more. This means today’s buyers actually have to qualify for their loans and show they’ll be able to repay them.

Archana Pradhan, Economist at CoreLogic, explains the difference between then and now:

“Around 60% of Adjustable-Rate Mortgages (ARM) that were originated in 2007 were low- or no-documentation loans . . . Similarly, in 2005, 29% of ARM borrowers had credit scores below 640 . . . Currently, almost all conventional loans, including both ARMs and Fixed-Rate Mortgages, require full documentation, are amortized, and are made to borrowers with credit scores above 640.”

In simple terms, Laurie Goodman at Urban Institute helps drive this point home by saying:

“Today’s Adjustable-Rate Mortgages are no riskier than other mortgage products and their lower monthly payments could increase access to homeownership for more potential buyers.”

Bottom Line

If you’re worried today’s adjustable-rate mortgages are like the ones from the housing crash, rest assured, things are different this time.

 

And, if you’re a first-time homebuyer and you’d like to learn more about lending options that could help you overcome today’s affordability challenges, reach out to a trusted lender.

Should I Move or Refinance?
Why Your Home’s Asking Price Matters More Today
Sellers Have an Opportunity with Today’s Home Prices
Is It Time To Sell Your Second Home?
More People Are Planning To Buy a Home Soon
Share This Article
Facebook Email Print
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow US

Find US on Social Medias
FacebookLike
XFollow
YoutubeSubscribe
TelegramFollow
Popular News
Real Estate

The Top Reasons To Own Your Home [INFOGRAPHIC]

Klaus Team
Klaus Team
June 10, 2022
Mesa City Council Takes Landmark Vote to Bring High-Speed Internet Access to Every Premise in the City
Invest in Yourself by Owning a Home
House Hacking 101: How to Win at Monopoly While Living for Free
Angie’s Lobster Opens Tuesday, August 30.
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

About US

Your Community Connection
We provide local resources to our community to educate, support, and make our community stronger. Your Community Connection is a service of Klaus Team Real Estate Solutions with Real Broker. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Subscribe

Subscribe to our newsletter to get local news, market updates, and open houses in the community sent to your email.

 

Subscribe to Your Community Connection Newsletter

* indicates required
© Klaus Team Real Estate Solutions. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?