MORTGAGE FAQ
How do adjustable rate mortgages work?
What are escrow accounts and how much do I need in my escrow account?

How do adjustable rate mortgages work?

There are many types of adjustable rate mortgages, but all have some common features.

One common feature of adjustable rate mortgages is an interest rate change that occurs after a stipulated number of payments have been made. The interest rate can increase or decrease depending on how the new interest rate is calculated. Typically, the interest rate change is based upon a predetermined index value and a margin. If a mortgagor currently has an interest rate that is pending adjustment, the new rate would be calculated by adding the current index rate and a margin. For example, if the mortgagor’s current rate was 6.000% with a 2.000% margin, the new rate would be determined by adding the current index rate (5.000% as an example) to the margin. In this example the new interest rate would be 7.000%.

The maximum amount the interest rate can change during any adjustment period is usually fixed. This maximum adjustment is called the cap. Adjustable rate mortgages also have a lifetime cap, preventing the interest rate from exceeding a predetermined rate.

What are escrow accounts and how much do I need in my escrow account?

Escrows are payments made by a mortgagor to a mortgagee for the purpose of paying the mortgagor’s taxes, insurance, and other payments associated with home ownership. The mortgagee is responsible for the timely disbursement of escrow funds to pay the mortgagor’s bills as they come due.

Usually, a mortgage company collects funds for placement into the mortgagor’s escrow account with the mortgagor’s periodic payment for principal and interest. An escrow account has sufficient funds if there is enough to pay all bills when they come due.

It is common practice for mortgage companies to hold an escrow cushion for a mortgagor. The cushion is kept by the mortgage company to assure that if the cost of any escrowed item were to increase in the future, there would be sufficient funds to pay all bills as they come due.