The cons of an interest-only loan
With an interest-only loan, you aren't building equity on your home until you begin making payments towards the principal. You can lose existing equity gained from your payment: If the value of your home declines, this may cancel out any equity you had from your down payment.
Cons of Interest-Only Mortgages
Since there's no principal reduction until the amortization period begins, you end up paying more in interest over the life of the loan than you would with a conventional mortgage with the same repayment term.
Property investors seeking tax benefits
As mentioned, interest-only home loans have potential tax benefits for property investors looking to sell within the interest-only period. Using an interest-only home loan for an investment property allows you to make higher tax deductions and limit your investment costs.
Overpayments directly reduce the outstanding loan balance, making the final repayment amount smaller or potentially allowing you to pay it off entirely before the term ends. When making overpayments, please be aware that you may have to pay an early repayment charge to your lender (if applicable).
Interest-only mortgages can seem more affordable, but they tend to cost more overall; you'll also need to find a way to pay off the loan at the end of the term. Repayment mortgages cost more per month but less over the loan's lifetime - and will pay off your mortgage in full.
Interest-only repayments are available for a set period over the life of the loan. Up to 5 years on an Owner-occupied loan and 10 years on an Investment loan. Principal and interest repayments following an interest-only period will be higher than if you'd been paying both the principal and interest from the start.
If you have an interest-only mortgage, you need to make plans to repay the capital (the amount you borrowed). If you don't, you will have a large amount to pay at the end of your mortgage term and may need to sell your home to repay it.
An interest-only mortgage allows borrowers to reduce their repayments in time of need or may enable property investors, to claim tax benefits*, as the total interest repayment may be tax-deductible.
The biggest drawback of an interest only mortgage is that you don't pay off the loan as you go. This means you have to find another way to do this – you can't just forget about it. Another downside of an interest-only mortgage is that the total amount you repay over time will be much higher than a repayment mortgage.
After the interest-only period, you have the option to refinance, pay a lump sum, or begin paying down the principal. However, it's important to note that your monthly payments will increase significantly once you start paying both the principal and the interest.
While interest-only repayments are lower during the interest-only period, you'll end up paying more interest over the life of the loan. There are also risks involved with getting an interest-only repayment loan.
Interest-only mortgages offer attractive benefits, such as lower monthly payments and increased cash flow for investments. However, they also come with significant risks, including the need for a large lump-sum payment at the end of the term and limited availability.
Can I Port an Interest Only Mortgage? Depending on the lender, it is possible, provided the exit strategy remains in situ. The same credit checks will apply as if you are porting a repayment mortgage.
A balloon mortgage is a home loan with an initial period of low or interest-only payments. The borrower pays off the balance in full at the end of the term. A balloon mortgage is usually short-term, often five to seven years.
A typical interest only mortgage lasts between five and 25 years. It's possible to remortgage to a new deal at any time, which is often a good idea if interest rates have changed. You can also remortgage at the end of the deal – but you will need to meet affordability criteria.
If you want to make principal payments during the interest-only period, you can, but that's not a requirement of the loan. You'll usually see interest-only loans structured as 3/1, 5/1, 7/1, or 10/1 adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs).
In contrast, with an interest-only mortgage, your overpayment will typically only be used to reduce future interest payments or the overall interest you pay. So, while it could still be a good idea to save some money, overpaying won't usually increase the equity you hold in your property.
There's a higher risk of negative equity than a repayment mortgage. The mortgage balance remains the same over the mortgage term, leaving you more exposed to changes in house prices. The total amount paid in interest over the life of an interest only mortgage will also exceed the interest paid on a repayment mortgage.
Advantages of an interest-only mortgage
Lower monthly payments, as you are only paying back the interest on your loan. Greater control over your investments, meaning you can decide how you save to repay the capital of your mortgage.
Yes; offset accounts can be linked to interest only loans. By keeping funds in an offset account, you can benefit from reduced interest expenses while enjoying lower monthly repayments during the interest only period.
At the end of an Interest Only period, the balance of the loan must be paid back to the bank over the period remaining before the end of the loan.
To qualify for an interest-only mortgage loan, you'll likely need: A credit score above 700. A debt-to-income (DTI) ratio below 36% A down payment of at least 15% (depending on the lender)
Can I get an interest only mortgage? Interest only mortgages are available for home buyers, although they're not as common as repayment mortgages. To get one, you'll need a plan in place to repay what you owe when the mortgage ends. As with any other mortgage, whether you're approved is at the lender's discretion.