Balloon mortgages are typical in some commercial lending situations, but they're not often used for consumer loans like mortgages. When it comes to home loans, there are several alternatives available, including: Conventional mortgages.
Understanding Balloon Payments
Balloon payments tend to be at least twice the amount of the loan's previous payments. Balloon payments are more common in commercial lending than in consumer lending because the average homeowner typically cannot make a very large balloon payment at the end of the mortgage.
These days, most mortgages are 15- or 30-year loans with fixed interest rates. But balloon mortgages still exist.
Hard to find – Due to the level of risk, many mortgage lenders don't offer balloon loans. Higher rates – Lenders take on more risk with a balloon loan, so the rates are typically higher compared to traditional types of loans.
Why Get a Balloon Mortgage? People who expect to stay in their home for only a short period of time may opt for a balloon mortgage. It comes with low monthly payments and a much lower overall cost, since it is paid off in a few years rather than in 20 or 30 years like a conventional mortgage.
A balloon mortgage may be a good idea if: You know — with a high degree of certainty — that you aren't going to still be in the property when the balloon payment comes due. You expect, again with a great deal of confidence, that you're going to receive a lump sum at least equal to the balloon payment that will come due ...
Balloon mortgages aren't right in all cases. They're considered much riskier mortgage products for borrowers—and many lenders don't even offer them because they leave borrowers owing large lump sums that they may not be able to afford without taking out a new loan.
The balloon payment is equal to unpaid principal and interest due when a balloon mortgage becomes due and payable. If the balloon payment isn't paid when due, the mortgage lender notifies the borrower of the default and may start foreclosure.
We suggest talking to your servicer first and asking about a loan modification. Other, not-so-popular options include a short sale or bankruptcy. Now, depending on current interest rates, a refinance could be the easiest way out of a balloon mortgage.
The balloon payment option offers the benefit of reduced monthly repayments, with a lump sum repayment (referred to as the balloon payment) at the end of the agreement period. The maximum balloon facility is 35% and is subject to the year, make and model of the vehicle and the finance period.
Can you refinance a balloon payment? It is possible to refinance your balloon payment. Refinancing can offer a lower interest rate which can give you access to better rates and fees. You can also make better repayments when it comes to paying off your balloon payment.
You must refinance well in advance of the payment due date in order to ensure that you have the time to qualify and close the refinance. If you successfully acquire the refinance, you can kill two birds with one stone by paying the balloon mortgage off and getting a new loan with terms more suitable to you.
The biggest advantage of a balloon mortgage is it generally comes with lower interest rates, so you make smaller monthly mortgage payments. You also may qualify for a larger loan amount with a balloon mortgage than you would if you got an adjustable-rate or fixed-rate mortgage.
A balloon mortgage, by comparison, might have a five-year term and a 30-year amortization. You'll make the same payment every month for five years (60 months) that you would have made on the loan with the 30-year term. But after that, you'll owe all of the remaining principal.
Can you refinance a balloon mortgage? Thankfully, you can. And unless you're simply rolling in dough, you may be forced to refinance. A balloon mortgage is a home loan with a short term, often 5 - 7 years, after which the rest of the loan is due in one large payment, called a balloon payment.
If you want to reduce or eliminate your balloon amount, make larger payments consistently. Although a higher payment eliminates the benefit of a balloon mortgage, you will pay off the loan early. The amount you will need to increase your payment is based on the principal, interest and term.
Paying the balloon payment will mean you won't have anything to repay, and you can put that money towards something else each month, or simply start saving. Even if you take out a loan to cover the cost of the balloon payment, you'll have a definitive end date in sight.
A balloon payment provision in a loan is not illegal per se. Federal and state legislatures have enacted various laws designed to protect consumers from being victimized by such a loan.
One of the benefits of a balloon mortgage is that the amortization structure can offer you reasonably low monthly payments since the approach is similar to that of a 30-year lending product. This structure can also be a disadvantage unless you're willing to pay down some of the principal on your balance each month.
A balloon loan is a type of loan that does not fully amortize over its term. Since it is not fully amortized, a balloon payment is required at the end of the term to repay the remaining principal balance of the loan.
The first mortgage in the comparison, a 30/3 balloon mortgage, has the following features: amortized over 30 years; balloon payment due in 3 years; and fixed rate of 3.25%. The other mortgage in the comparison is a standard 30 year fixed rate mortgage at 4.25%.
Drawbacks of a Balloon Mortgage
There is a big risk associated with a balloon mortgage, though. Most homeowners who don't plan to sell their homes before the balloon payment is due expect to refinance their balloon loan to a standard fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgage before facing that big payment.
Lenders offering balloon mortgages may require a high credit score or down payment. You'll have higher interest rates. Balloon mortgage rates are often higher than interest rates on qualified mortgages because of the risk involved.
A balloon payment is a larger-than-usual one-time payment at the end of the loan term. If you have a mortgage with a balloon payment, your payments may be lower in the years before the balloon payment comes due, but you could owe a big amount at the end of the loan.
What is GMAC SmartBuy? GMAC's “SmartBuy” program is an alternative to leasing, where the drivers who participate have several options at the end of a loan term. GMAC operates the SmartBuy program in conjunction with their SmartLease program, where GM customers can select a more standard leasing option.