When you are shopping for an Adjustable Rate Mortgage, the important thing to consider is the margin. Each time your loan is adjusted, the new interest rate will be tied to an index of Treasury notes. The margin is the percentage point above that index where your rate will be set.

Let's suppose that you have a one-year ARM with a 2.5 margin. Your initial rate was 7.5%, and during the first year of the loan, the index of 1-year Treasury notes was at 6.25%. The rate for the second year of your loan would be adjusted to 8.75%. With a margin of 2.75, it would increase to 9%. Some lenders offer lower initial rates with higher margins. In this case, the subsequent rates could be higher after the first year, than if you chose a higher initial rate with a lower margin.

If you are confused by the various mortgage offers, ask a professional mortgage broker to sit down with you and show you how it works. Today the rates and different financial possibilities are so variable that it is a good idea to talk to a mortgage broker--they usually know where the best rates can be found.

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Joyce Barnwell
Intracoastal Realty
1206 N. Lake Park Blvd.
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Tel: 910-617-7654
Fax: 910-458-7759
Email: joycebarnwell@NUMBER1EXPERT.com

Residing in the peaceful coastal community of Carolina Beach, I’m a licensed North Carolina Realtor with over 30 years real estate experience and 20 years owning my own real estate company, faithfully serving the unique real estate needs of buyers, sellers and investors. I specialize in the listing and selling of residential pre-existing homes, newly constructed homes, waterfront property, golf course property, investment property, condos and duplexes as well as lots for sale in and around North Carolina’s New Hanover County coastal communities of Wilmington, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Wrightsville Beach and Figure Eight. Thanks again for visiting my site and don’t hesitate to call me direct at 877-617-7654.