10-Year Mortgage Loan: Not for Everyone

10-Year Mortgage Loan - The Sprint to the Finish Line

If you have good income, a stable cash flow and you want to build equity in your house, then a 10-year mortgage loan is an option to consider. A short-term mortgage loan is not common but you will finish your loan quickly.

Generally, borrowers take mortgage loans for long periods. The most common mortgage loan is a 30-year mortgage loan, followed by a 15-year mortgage loan. A 10 year fixed rate mortgage loan is rare, because the payments are much higher.

Before taking a 10-year mortgage loan, consider the following factors:

• What is the Monthly payment for a 10-Year Mortgage Loan?
• Pros and Cons of a 10-year mortgage loan
• Making a decision - Can you afford a 10-year mortgage loan?

Monthly Payment for a 10-year Mortgage Loan

Before making a decision, look at how much you monthly principal and interest payment will differ between different mortgage plans. Your decision is a factor of how much you can afford, what the lender will approve, and the length of time you will hold on to the loan. Remember, lenders have debt-to-income guidelines, which you must meet. Even if you think that you can make the payment, you must meet their requirements. That means your total housing (mortgage payment, property insurance, property taxes, HOA fees, etc.) must not be more than 36-45% of your total income, depending on the lender's guidelines.

Use the Bills.com mortgage payment calculator to determine your monthly payment. You can check the mortgage rate sheets to see what the approximate interest rates will be, but you will not always find rates for 10-year mortgage payments.

Here is an example to help you see the difference between a 10-year mortgage loan and a 15-year mortgage loan:

• House Value: $300,000
• Down payment: $100,000
• Loan: $200,000

The interest rates are for illustrative purposes only. Make sure that you shop around and compare interest rates together with mortgage fees.

Pros and Cons of a 10-year mortgage loan

Here are some positive benefits of a 10-year mortgage loan:

1. You have less risk due to a fixed interest rate and payment.
2. You have a lower interest rate (marginally so), and overall lower financial expense.
3. You pay off your loan quickly, therefore making an equity investment in your home. It is a good financial plan to build equity in your home so that you do not have mortgage payments when you reach pension age.

Here are some of the negative aspects of a 10-year mortgage loan:

1. Your payments are higher than a standard mortgage loan, unless you take a low LTV ratio loan.
2. You may be putting too much of your money into your house and not diversifying your investments.
3. If you itemize your tax deductions, you may be losing some tax benefits by paying off your mortgage quickly.
4. You have limited flexibility. Once you commit to a 10-year mortgage loan, you must continue to make the monthly payments, even if you have financial problems. A long-term loan allows you to make lump sum prepayments or accelerated payments, without tying you down to a high fixed monthly payment.

Making a Decision - Can you Afford a 10-year Mortgage Loan

Before making a decision to take a 10-year mortgage loan, ask yourself these questions:

1. Do I have a steady positive income and cash flow?
2. Do I want to commit a large sum of money to my mortgage payment, or use it for other investments, or personal consumption purposes?
3. Is my loan relatively small (high down payment or equity position in the property)?

If you financial situation is strong enough to take a 10-year mortgage loan, then follow these steps:

• Use the calculator: Deciding on a 10-year mortgage loan is easier than other loans, for the simple reason that you have to be able to afford it to even consider taking it. Run the numbers on the mortgage calculator.
• Evaluate your budget and financial situation . Make sure that your cash flow will permit you to make payments, even if there are unexpected expenses, or loss of income. Rainy day funds, savings accounts and investment funds are a buffer against that risk.
• Then shop around. Since interest rates are constantly changing, as is the differential between loans with different terms, it is impossible to say in advance, which is best. However, the shorter the period you hold on to a loan, the less interest you will pay.

A 10-year mortgage loan is right for some people. However, if you feel too stressed, then take a loan with a longer term. You might consider a 15-year FRM, 30-year FRM, or a 10/1 ARM. Make sure there are no prepayment penalties and you have the option to accelerate payments or make lump sum prepayments.