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When Is an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage a Good Option?

Adjustable-Rate Mortgages (ARMs) begin with a fixed interest rate and then adjust up or down after the initial term. ARMs are 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.

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.

Navy Federal ARMs

  • Low Initial Fixed Rate

    During the initial term of your loan, your interest rate will 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, which saves you money each month.

  • Refinance Options Available

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

Rates1 2

Rates Table
Loan Type Interest Rates As Low As Discount Points APR As Low As Payment Example
3/5 Conforming ARM 5.000% 0.250 6.053% 3/5 Conforming ARM Payment Example
3/5 Jumbo ARM 5.000% 0.250 6.063% 3/5 Jumbo ARM Payment Example
5/5 Conforming ARM 5.250% 0.250 5.989% 5/5 Conforming ARM Payment Example
5/5 Jumbo ARM 5.250% 0.250 5.989% 5/5 Jumbo ARM Payment Example

Rates as of Mar 19, 2024 ET.

Rates subject to change. Rates are based on an evaluation of credit history, so your rate may differ. For primary residences and second homes. Adjustable-rate mortgages are variable, and your annual percentage rate may increase or decrease after the original fixed rate period. All rates quoted above require a 1.00% loan origination fee, which may be waived for a 0.25% increase in the interest rate. 

3/5 and 5/5 ARM Loans: Mortgage insurance is not required. The minimum down payment for a two-unit property is 10%. Rates displayed are the "as low as" rates for purchase loans and refinances.

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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Adjustable-Rate Mortgage FAQs

 
  • There's no down payment required if it's for a primary residence.5 
  • An ARM currently has lower rates and discount 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 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 all of Navy Federal's mortgage programs, there's no penalty for prepayment and no private mortgage insurance (PMI) requirement. None of Navy Federal's mortgage programs have prepayment penalties or require PMI. 

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

Rates displayed are "as low as" and effective 03/19/2024 for purchase, refinance loans, and VA IRRRL, and require a 1.00% loan origination fee, which may be waived for a 0.25% increase in the interest rate. Displayed rates may include discount points. Rates are subject to change. All VA rules, guidelines and additional program requirements will apply. All loans subject to approval. Navy Federal has no affiliation with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or any other government agency.

2

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.

3

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.

4

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. 

5

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.