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A Lower ARM Rate Could Help Get Your Foot in the Door

A Lower ARM Rate Could Help Get Your Foot in the Door

With a lower interest rate up front, your payments may be more affordable. Footnote 1

When Is an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage a Good Option?Footnote 2

Adjustable-Rate Mortgages (ARMs) begin with a fixed interest rate and then adjust up or down after the initial term. The initial rate is generally lower and lasts for a set period of time.

ARM products contain 2 numbers:

  • The first refers to the number of years the interest rate will remain fixed.
  • The second is the number of years between interest rate changes after the initial fixed term expires.

For example, a 5/5 ARM would have the same interest rate for the first 5 years, and then the rate would adjust every 5 years after that.

ARMs could be a good option for buyers who plan to stay in their home for only a short period of time and want to keep their monthly payment low. ARMs could also be a good option in a high-interest market with the possibility to refinance later if rates drop. 

Navy Federal ARMs

  • Lower Initial Fixed Rate

    During the initial term of your loan, your interest rate will generally be lower, making your payments more affordable. During the remaining term, the interest rate will change according to an index.

  • No Private Mortgage Insurance Required for Most Loans

    Most lenders require the borrower to purchase PMI unless they're able to make a down payment of 20%. Most of our Adjustable-Rate Mortgages don’t require PMI.

  • Refinance Options Available

    If you have a mortgage already and want to refinance for a different interest rate or shorter term, this loan might also be a good fit.

RatesFootnote 1 Footnote 2 Footnote 3 

Rates Table
Loan Type Interest Rates As Low As Discount Points APR As Low As Payment Example
3/5 Conforming ARM 4.500% 0.250 5.467% 3/5 Conforming ARM Payment Example
3/5 Jumbo ARM 4.500% 0.250 5.477% 3/5 Jumbo ARM Payment Example
5/5 Conforming ARM 4.750% 0.250 5.420% 5/5 Conforming ARM Payment Example
5/5 Jumbo ARM 4.750% 0.250 5.420% 5/5 Jumbo ARM Payment Example

Rates as of Oct 08, 2024 ET.

Rates subject to change and displayed are "as low as" for purchase and refinances. Down-payment requirements vary based on the occupancy, property, and transaction type. Adjustable-rate mortgages are variable, and your annual percentage rate may increase after the original fixed-rate period.

The interest rate above shows the option of purchasing discount points to lower a loan's interest rate and monthly payment. One point amounts to 1% of the loan amount and is paid at closing. Points don't always have to be round numbers. Purchasing 1.5 points would cost $4,500 on a $300,000 mortgage.

Contact us at 1-888-842-6328 to learn more about our ARM loan options.


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Our U.S.-based member service reps are here for you 24/7. Reach us online, over the phone or at a branch. Contact us. If you're ready to apply for a mortgage or want to check the status of your loan, please call us at 1-888-842-6328.


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Find a Real Estate AgentFootnote 4

Finding the right home starts with finding the right real estate agent. Use RealtyPlus® to connect with a top-performing real estate agent in your area. Plus, you could earn cash back. Exclusively for Navy Federal members.Footnote 5

Learn More about RealtyPlus.

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Adjustable-Rate Mortgage FAQs

 
  • There's no down payment required if it's for a primary residence.Footnote 2 
  • An ARM currently has lower rates and mortgage points than a fixed-rate loan, which means it's perfect for using those discount points to bring down the interest rate.
  • A conforming ARM loan allows non-occupant co-borrowers if the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio is 90% or less.
  • It's ideal for buyers looking to own a home for a short amount of time.

This loan is great for members who may have unique circumstances, such as if they don’t have long-term plans to reside in their current home. For example, if you own a home and want to refinance your loan, knowing you'll be transferred in 5 years, a 5/5 ARM loan might be a great option. You'll generally make a lower payment for the first 5 years of a 5/5 ARM loan than if you refinance with a fixed-rate loan.

Plus, just like most of Navy Federal's mortgage programs, there's no penalty for prepayment and no private mortgage insurance (PMI) requirement. 

Yes, ARM loans can be refinanced. They can also be used to purchase a home or to refinance an existing mortgage.

The number to the left of the slash is the number of years the interest rate assigned at closing remains fixed. The number to the right of the slash is the number of years in between interest rate changes after the initial term expires. 

That means a 5/5 ARM is a loan where the initial interest rate remains the same for 5 years, and that for the rest of the life of the loan, the interest range will be subject to change every 5 years after the first 5.

Disclosures

1

Adjustable Rate Mortgages are variable, and your Annual Percentage Rate (APR) may increase after the original fixed-rate period. The First Adjusted Payments displayed are based on the current Constant Maturity Treasury (CMT) index, plus the margin (fully indexed rate) as of the stated effective date rounded to nearest 1/8th of one percent. All loans subject to credit approval.

2

Product features subject to approval. Available for purchase loans only. Occupancy restriction applies. Subject to funding fee, which may be financed up to the maximum allowed loan amount.

3

Rates displayed are "as low as" and effective 10/08/2024 for purchase and refinance loans, and require a 1.00% loan origination fee, which may be waived for a 0.25% increase in the interest rate. Displayed rate may include discount points. Rates are subject to change. Rates vary based on creditworthiness, loan-to-value (LTV), occupancy, property type and loan purpose, and/or other factors. All loans subject to credit approval.

4

Customer satisfaction claims are based on 2021 Anywhere Leads Inc.’s surveys of customers who bought or sold a home using a program serviced by an Anywhere Leads Network agent or using an Anywhere Leads Network agent.

5

The program is only available for individual home purchases/sales in the contiguous US, Alaska, and Hawaii, excluding Iowa and all employer-sponsored relocations. You are not required to receive financing through Navy Federal Credit Union in order to receive the benefits of this program. The cash back is only available with the purchase or sale of your home through the use of a program-referred and -approved real estate agent, and is offered in most states, with the exception of Iowa, Alaska, and Oklahoma, and is not available in certain transactions with restricted agent commissions (including many new constructions, For Sale by Owner, or For Sale by iBuyer transactions). Your assigned agent can help you identify any transactions where the cash back would not be available. The amount of your cash back depends on the value of the property you are buying or selling. Obtaining the full $9,000 cash back requires transacting in a property valued at $3 million or greater. To calculate your potential cash-back amount, please visit the RealtyPlus website: https://navyfederalrealtyplus.com/. The cash-back offer is limited to one cash back per property with no limit on the number of times you may use the program. In some states, a gift card or commission credit at closing may be provided in lieu of the cash back. In Kansas and Tennessee, a Mastercard® MAX gift card will be issued with preloaded points that are ready for spending at specified retail establishments after closing. State regulations in Kansas limit the dollar amounts and the type of incentive. In Mississippi, New Jersey, and Oregon, a commission reduction may be available at closing in lieu of cash back. Please check with the program coordinator for details. All real estate commissions are negotiable. Contact RealtyPlus for terms and conditions. Seller listing fees apply. This program is offered, in part, by Anywhere Leads Inc., which may receive a co-operative brokerage fee as a result of a referral to any affiliated real estate companies, including Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate, Coldwell Banker®, Century 21®, ERA® Real Estate, and Corcoran. Program terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without notice. Additional terms, conditions, and restrictions apply. This is an advertisement and not a solicitation for agent representation if your property is currently listed with an agent. Anywhere Leads Inc., 175 Park Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940. Licensed broker in the state of Texas. Broker license #9009191. 

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