Fixed Rate Mortgage
Fixed rate mortgages are probably the most common type of mortgage. "Fixed rate" refers to the fact that the interest rate is agreed upon at initiation of the loan and never changes over the life of the loan. This also means that the principal and interest payment is fixed and will not change over the life of the loan.

Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM)
Adjustable rate mortgages do just that: adjust their rate. Simply put, a loan that starts with an initial rate of 5% may be 7% the next year and 9% the 3rd year. Does my payment change? In most cases, yes. When interest rates change, payments are re-calculated on the remaining principal balance for the remaining term at the new interest rate.

Shorter Term Fixed Loan
A short term fixed mortgage refers to a mortgage which has a set interest rate and set payments based on an amortization of 30 years, however, the loan converts to an adjustable loan after a period of 3, 5, 7 or 10 years depending on the program you decide on. This loan is an attractive option for someone who anticipates selling or refinancing their home during the fixed rate period of the loan. What happens if I don't move or sell? Make sure the loan contains no prepayment penalty, that way you can refinance if and when rates drop.

Mortgage Programs
CONVENTIONAL MORTGAGE - Conventional loans originated in the 1930's after the Depression and are the benchmark of all other loan types. This loan has several traits:

• Set Monthly Payments: The periodic payment never changes.
• Set Interest Rate: The interest rate never changes.
• Set Loan Term: Typically 15 or 30 years.
• Self Amortization: The loan is paid off at the end of the specified term.

VA (Veterans Administration)
This type of loan is also government backed and is available only to Veterans. Some of the features are:

• No down payment required
• Low interest rates

A VA loan has an up front requirement of a funding fee (FF). This funding fee is a one-time charge which can be rolled into the mortgage amount.

FHA (Federal Housing Authority)
This type of loan is a government backed loan that is available to almost anyone.  Qualifications for this style of loan are an average or above credit score and full documentation.  This program has a minimum 3.5% down payment, which can be gifted to the borrower.  This program has a lower than average mortgage insurance payment, which causes it to be the most affordable minimum down program on the market available to the general public.

USDA (US Department of Agriculture)
This type of loan is a government backed loan that is available in areas classified for rural development.  This loan has no mortgage insurance and can be as little as no money down.  Surprisingly, many areas are still classified rural that don't seem so rural.