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NEED HELP: FHA Streamline Loan - 30 yr fixed or 5/1 Hybrid ARM???

Posted on 1/23/12 at 2:51 pm
Posted by Tiger Bombshell
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2006
1365 posts
Posted on 1/23/12 at 2:51 pm
I'm trying to refinance right now and working on an FHA Streamline loan. I am young and the house is small, so I anticipate likely selling before 5 years is up (been in it almost 4 years now). With that being said, I can go with a 30 yr fixed 4.0% interest rate or do a 5/1 Hybrid ARM for 3.5% and save some significant money. Does anyone know much about the 5/1 hybrid? It seems relatively safe, although technically you are betting against the economy which is already about as bad as it can be right now. I typically like to go the safe route, but since I doubt I'll be in this house in 5 years it seems like the 5/1 Hybrid may actually be a good deal for me.

I appreciate any helpful advice as I'm fairly new at this whole process.


ETA: I'M GOING WITH THE 30 YEAR FIXED B/C I'M FINDING OUT THAT A 5/1 HYBRID IS THE SAME AS A 5/1 ARM....THEY JUST CALL IT A HYBRID TO MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER...AND IT ALMOST WORKED ON ME.
This post was edited on 1/24/12 at 1:00 pm
Posted by C
Houston
Member since Dec 2007
28149 posts
Posted on 1/23/12 at 2:54 pm to
quote:

5/1 Hybrid ARM for 3.5%


That's a horrible rate for an ARM. If you're not getting more than a 1% reduction, I would play it safe.
Posted by Im4datigers
Northern Virginia
Member since Oct 2003
4640 posts
Posted on 1/23/12 at 3:07 pm to
I agree.....horrible rate for a 5/1 ARM.

What loan amount are you talking about anyway?
Posted by Tiger Bombshell
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2006
1365 posts
Posted on 1/23/12 at 4:17 pm to
quote:

horrible rate for a 5/1 ARM


It's a hybrid arm, so it is different. It can only adjust 1% up or down 1 time per year starting year 6

quote:

What loan amount are you talking about anyway?


About 240
Posted by C
Houston
Member since Dec 2007
28149 posts
Posted on 1/23/12 at 4:26 pm to
quote:

It can only adjust 1% up or down 1 time per year starting year 6


Although the rate change isn't as great, that benefit isn't very much considering you are losing out on at least 50 bps for the first 5 years in-which your balance is greater. What is the maximum you could ever pay?
Posted by LSUGUMBO
Shreveport, LA
Member since Sep 2005
9474 posts
Posted on 1/23/12 at 4:54 pm to
Wells Fargo has an FHA 5/1 for 2.75 and a Conventional 5/1 for 2.375.

I've been looking at 7/1 ARM's for a few days. I don't think we'll be here for 7 years, but wanted to give us a cushion just in case. And it's a 5/2/5 so the most it adjusts in year 8 is 2%, which will still have us under 5%.
Posted by wegotdatwood
Member since Aug 2009
17094 posts
Posted on 1/23/12 at 5:28 pm to
Does that mean you have to have the home paid off in 7 years?
Posted by TheHiddenFlask
The Welsh red light district
Member since Jul 2008
18384 posts
Posted on 1/23/12 at 6:04 pm to
No, it means you refinance or it starts floating after 5 years.

There is no way I would take the rate in the OP. I would do a 7 year traditional ARM.
Posted by wegotdatwood
Member since Aug 2009
17094 posts
Posted on 1/23/12 at 6:14 pm to
Know anyone that has tried to pay off a home in 5 to 10 years? Pretty much just putting as much money as possible to pay off the loan each month? (Not putting money in retirement or anything)
Posted by Tiger Bombshell
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2006
1365 posts
Posted on 1/24/12 at 12:48 pm to
Does 4.0% seem like a good rate? B/c I'm looking at Wells Fargo and seeing that they have a 30 year fixed loan for 3.75% and I'm curious if that is really true or not. I'm just not well enough informed to know if I'm getting a good deal or not.
Posted by LSUAlum2001
Stavro Mueller Beta
Member since Aug 2003
48046 posts
Posted on 1/24/12 at 12:56 pm to
quote:

I am young and the house is small, so I anticipate likely selling before 5 years is up (been in it almost 4 years now).


Never assume you will move within 5 years.
Posted by Tiger Bombshell
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2006
1365 posts
Posted on 1/24/12 at 1:01 pm to
quote:

Never assume you will move within 5 years.


That's prob a good piece of advice. I'm sticking with the 30 year fixed....now I just need to find out if this is the best option or if I should be looking around.
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