30 Year Fixed Rate Mortgage

The most popular type of mortgage, the 30-year fixed-rate loan, is most appealing to borrowers who want to stay in their homes for a long period of time and who want to enjoy consistent payments during this period. Other benefits include keeping housing expenses to a minimum while maximizing mortgage interest deductions for income tax purposes.

Advantages

• Can require a low down payment, sometimes only 3 or 5 percent
• Consistent monthly payments
• Stable payments, monthly payment will not increase
• Provides maximum interest deduction for tax savings

Details

Eligible properties include one- to four-family, owner-occupied principal residences; second homes and investment properties; and condos, co-ops, and planned unit developments. Manufactured homes are also eligible. (Manufactured housing units must be built on a permanent chassis at a factory and then transported to a permanent site and attached to a foundation.)