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Which loan is right for me?

Years you plan to stay in the houseRecommended program
1-3 3/1 ARM, 1 year ARM or 6 month ARM
3-5 5/1 ARM
5-7 7/1 ARM
7-10 10/1 ARM, 30 year fixed or 15 year fixed
10+ 30 year fixed or 15 year fixed

Loan Programs Advantages Disadvantages
Fixed Rate Mortgages
30 year fixed
15 year fixed



  • Monthly payments are fixed over the life of the loan
  • Interest rate does not change
  • Protected if rates go up
  • Can refinance if rates go down



  • Higher interest rate
  • Higher mortgage payments
  • Rate does not drop if interest rates improve



Adjustable Rate Mortgages
10/1 ARM
7/1 ARM
3/1 ARM
1 year ARM
6 month ARM
1 month ARM



  • Lower initial monthly payment
  • Lower payment over a shorter period of time
  • Rates and payments may go down if rates improve
  • May qualify for higher loan amounts



  • More risk
  • Payments may change over time
  • Potential for high payments if rates go up



Balloon Mortgages
7 year
5 year



  • Lower initial monthly payment
  • Lower payment over a shorter period of time
  • Many balloon mortgages offer the option to convert to a new loan after the initial term.



  • Risk of rates being higher at the end of the initial fixed period
  • Risk of foreclosure if you cannot make balloon payment or if you cannot refinance or if you cannot exercise the conversion option



First Time Buyer Programs
  • Lower down payment
  • Easier to qualify
  • Sometimes you may get lower rates
  • May be subject to income and property value limitations
  • Some programs which have government subsidies may have a recapture tax if you sell the house too early.



Stated Income Programs
  • Don’t need to verify income
  • Faster approval
  • Higher rates
  • Higher down payment



No point, No fee Programs
  • No closing costs
  • Less money required to close
  • Higher rates
  • Higher payments



Imperfect Credit Programs
  • Potential for reestablishing credit if you pay your mortgage on time.
  • When used for debt consolidation, you may be able to reduce your monthly debt payment
  • Higher rates
  • Terms may not be as favorable
  • Harder to get long term fixed loans
  • Loans may have prepayment penalties



Home Equity Line of Credit
  • You only borrow what you need
  • Pay interest only on what you borrow
  • Flexible access to funds
  • Interest may be tax deductible
  • Rates can change. The maximum interest rate is normally high.
  • Payments can change
  • Harder to refinance your first mortgage



Home Equity Fixed Loan
  • Fixed payments
  • Interest may be tax deductible
  • Higher interest rates than on 1st mortgages
  • Harder to refinance your first mortgage



Besides our standard loan programs, we also have a large number of unique programs to serve your needs:

  • Purchase a house with 0 down
  • Piggyback loans 80-10-10 or 80-15-5. No PMI payments even with 5% or 10% down.
  • Debt consolidation programs
  • Home Improvement loans
  • Qualify even if you may have been turned down before!

Apply online today! Or call us at 1 (800) 693-0001

Contact Us By Email

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Star Mortgage® USA

A Division of Star Financial Services, Inc.

Administrative Offices

Loan Processing Center

340 Manley Street

West Bridgewater, MA 02379

Toll Free:

Phone: (508)941-5616
 
Fax: (508)941-6788


©1999 - 2007 Star Mortgage® - All Rights Reserved - Star Mortgage® is our trademark - Registered U.S. Trademark Office Unauthorized use of our trade name use in any manner is a violation of United States Trademark Laws.