When you are considering a home mortgage refinance loan you will be faced with a couple of choices. Should you go with an adjustable rate mortgage also known as an ARM or should you refinance into a loan with a fixed rate. With an ARM loan that mortgage rate will vary based on a couple of factors. A fixed rate loan is just what it says. The rate remains constant over the life of the loan.

With a fixed rate loan you are looking to lock in the rate for the long haul. This is good for people that have good credit and want to know that their payment is going to remain the same throughout the loan period. The downside to a fixed rate loan is if interest rates go down you will paying a higher rate. The only way to get a lower rate is to refinance again which could cost you additional closing costs on the new loan.

An ARM loan makes sense when you want to refinance now, but expect the interest rates to go down in the future. The disadvantage to an ARM loan is if the interest rates go up for any reason unexpectedly. Your payment could go up considerable as well. There are ceilings as to how much the rate can go up. This will be in your contract and prevents your rate form being lowered or raised beyond a certain percentage over a set period of time.

So which loan is best for you. An adjustable rate loan to refinance quickly hoping rates will go down in the future, or a fixed rate loan which gives you the peace of mind in knowing exactly what you rate will be forever. That is a decision for you and your mortgage professional to decide and discuss. Determine what your goals are and why you want to refinance and then you will be able to make the best choice for your personal financial situation.