finance

When the time comes for you to purchase your new home, both you and the seller will have to come to an agreement.

The major component of the sale that both you and the seller will have to agree on is the purchase price. On a smaller scale, you both must come to an agreement on the down payment, what stays and what goes, and any minor work the property may need, etc.

Once you and the seller have come to an agreement, you will both be required to sign the agreement of sale which is provided to you by your realtor. Your realtor, who acts as your advocate will go over all of the stipulations with you before you sign the actual paper work.

Over the last few years, thousands and thousands of homeowners have financed or refinanced their homes with ARM’s, Adjustable Rate Mortgages.

ARM’s are mortgages that are tied in to lower interest rates in the beginning so that many homeowners can afford their monthly payments. As long as interest rates stay even or go lower, the home owner is fine. The danger comes when interest rates start to rise. Monthly payments can go up hundreds of dollars when the interest rate/payment terms come into effect.

That danger is now. Interest rates have been going up as The Federal Reserve has raised rates for the 15th time in the last two years. And, it doesn’t look like rates are going to stop going higher anytime soon. As these mortgages reset to higher rates and payments, many of these ARM homeowners are going to be in a financial bind. Many may even lose their homes.