Balloon Mortgages
Balloon loans are short-term mortgages that have some features of a fixed
rate mortgage. The loans provide a level payment feature during the term of
the loan, but as opposed to the 30 year fixed rate mortgage, balloon loans
do not fully amortize over the original term. Balloon loans can have many
types of maturities, but most balloons that are first mortgages have a term
of 5 to 7 years.
At the end of the loan term there is still a remaining principal loan balance
and the mortgage company generally requires that the loan be paid in full, which
can be accomplished by refinancing. Many companies have other options such as a
conversion feature at the end of the term. For example, the loan may convert to
a 30 year fixed loan at the thirty-year market rate plus 3/8 of a percentage
point. Your conversion can be guaranteed based on certain criteria such as having
made your last 24 payments on time. The balloon mortgage program with the
conversion option is often called a 7/23 Convertible or 5/25 Convertible.