What is a bubble loan?

Asked by: Prof. Angeline Tromp DVM  |  Last update: July 1, 2023
Score: 4.4/5 (31 votes)

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.

Is a balloon loan a good idea?

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.

Why would someone get a balloon mortgage?

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.

How does bubble payment work?

A balloon payment is a lump sum principal balance paid towards the end of a loan term. Instead of paying down principal over the course of a loan, a balloon payment is an inflated one-time amount owed, usually after interest-only payments have been remit over the life of the loan.

What happens if I can't pay my balloon payment?

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.

What is a Balloon Payment? | The dangers of Payment Deferrals for Cars and Mortgages

25 related questions found

What is the maximum balloon payment?

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.

Are balloon loans legal?

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.

Can you pay off a balloon loan early?

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.

What is a 5 year balloon payment?

Balloon payment schedule

A 30/5 structure means the lender calculates your monthly payments as if you'll be repaying the loan for 30 years, but you actually only make those payments for five years. At the end of the five-year (60-month) term, you'll repay the remaining principal, or $260,534.53, as a lump sum.

What happens if my car is worth more than the balloon payment?

If your car is worth more than the balloon payment at the end of the contract, then paying this could leave you better-off in the long run, even if you don't want to keep the car. You could sell the car immediately, leaving you with a surplus amount.

Do you need a down payment for a balloon loan?

If your income or credit is lacking, a balloon loan may not be for you. This high-risk loan requires an excellent credit score, a large down payment and a substantial income.

What is a typical balloon payment?

Generally, a balloon payment is more than two times the loan's average monthly payment, and often it can be tens of thousands of dollars. Most balloon loans require one large payment that pays off your remaining balance at the end of the loan term.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a balloon mortgage?

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.

What happens at the end of a balloon loan?

The loan is written for a much shorter period, usually between five and seven years. The last payment is the balloon payment. The remaining balance of the loan must be paid off in one large payment and with cash or a refinance.

How do you pay off a balloon payment?

You can handle a balloon payment in several different ways.
  1. Refinance: When the balloon payment is due, one option is to pay it off by obtaining another loan. ...
  2. Sell the asset: Another option for dealing with a balloon payment is to sell whatever you bought with the loan.

How long do balloon loans last?

Because the balloon loan payments are calculated based on a 30-year amortization but the loan term is only 10 years, the scheduled payments won't pay off the loan by the end of the term.

Does FHA allow balloon loans?

FHA loans and USDA loans are not available as balloon mortgages. An FHA loan is aimed at borrowers who might not be able to qualify for a conventional mortgage. This could be because their credit score is lower or they can't make a large down payment.

Can you refinance a balloon mortgage?

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.

How is interest calculated on a balloon loan?

We can use the below formula to calculate the future value of the balloon payment to be made at the end of 10 years: FV = PV*(1+r)n–P*[(1+r)n–1/r] The rate of interest per annum is 7.5%, and monthly it shall be 7.5%/12, which is 0.50%.

What is the difference between balloon payment and bullet payment?

Also known as a “balloon payment” or “bullet repayment,” a bullet payment is a lump sum payment made for the entirety of the outstanding balance on a loan. Bullet payments are most common at the end of the loan term. Some bullet payments are large relative to the cash held by a company.

What states allow balloon payments?

You asked if other states have laws concerned with balloon payments made under an installment contract to purchase a motor vehicle.
  • SUMMARY. We identified laws in seven other states concerned with balloon payments in installment contracts to purchase motor vehicles. ...
  • CALIFORNIA. ...
  • IOWA. ...
  • ILLINOIS. ...
  • MAINE. ...
  • NEW HAMPSHIRE. ...
  • TEXAS.

What is a 3 year balloon payment?

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.

What is the advantage of balloon payment?

A balloon payment allows a buyer to take an amount owing on the purchase price of a car and set it aside, meaning the monthly instalment amounts are calculated on a lower value – in turn making repayments more affordable.

Can you pay a balloon payment in installments?

This can be done in one go or there is the possibility of spreading this payment over time as well. The latter is what you'll do when you choose to refinance the balloon payment – splitting the lump sum into monthly payments that then allow you to pay off the car and own it.

How long can you refinance a balloon payment?

48 months. Special cases sometimes allow for a payment term longer than 48 months, at the discretion of WesBank. That depends on your credit profile. You'll get an idea of how much the interest on your balloon refinance agreement will be, once you submit your documents and apply.