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.
Disadvantages of Balloon Payments
People having loans with balloon payments carry a substantial risk as they do not have to pay much of the principal amount; they face a significant financial obligation at the end of the loan period.
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.
Balloon mortgages and auto loans may be difficult to refinance depending on the amount of equity that has been paid. Often, these loans may only pay interest first. In this case, you may have little-to-no equity in your asset although you've been making consistent payments.
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.
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.
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.
For clarity, a balloon payment or residual payment is only paid at the end of the loan period and you continue to pay interest on it.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
SELLING OR TRADING IN
If you choose to sell your car through a dealership, the dealer will first settle outstanding payments (such as the balloon) before paying out the balance to you. If that amount is too little to cover the balloon, you can pay a portion of it and take out refinancing for the rest.
You can arrange that your car's trade-in value is used to cover its balloon. If your trade-in doesn't cover the balloon in full, you will have to settle it in full.
Typically, a balloon payment would represent a percentage of the purchase price of the vehicle. For example, for a car costing R300 000, a 20 % balloon payment would work out at R60 000. This would be paid in one lump sum at the end of the contract period – for example 60 months or five years after purchase.
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.
What Happens When the Balloon Payment Is Due? When your balloon payment is due, you have two choices to pay it off: You can take out another mortgage for the amount of the balloon payment or you can sell your home and use the proceeds to pay it off.
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.
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.
Example of a Balloon Loan
Let's say a person takes out a $200,000 mortgage with a seven-year term and a 4.5% interest rate. Their monthly payment for seven years is $1,013. At the end of the seven-year term, they owe a $175,066 balloon payment.
Sell it privately
You can post the car for sale on Craigslist, eBay Facebook Marketplace and/or other sites. Ideally, you sell it for enough to wipe out your car debt, including the negative equity. If that's not possible, you'll need to come up with the difference out of pocket.
Pay off the loan.
For a loan with a balloon payment at maturity (this happens when the amortization period extends beyond the maturity of the loan, so the loan doesn't fully amortize over its term), the final payment may be much larger than what you've been paying each month.