Compare Today’s 7 1 ARM Rates

The caps on your adjustable-rate mortgage are the first line of defense against massive increases in your monthly payment during the adjustment period. They come in handy, especially when rates rise rapidly — as they have the past year. The graphic below shows how rate caps would prevent your rate from doubling if your 3.5% start rate was ready to adjust in June 2023 on a $350,000 loan amount. Adjustable-rate mortgage loans are usually referred to as ARMs. Then the rate becomes variable for the remaining 23 years of the loan. When shopping for a 7-year mortgage rate, the initial rate should be of less concern than other factors.

How does a 7/1 ARM work?

They pride themselves in using their skills and experience to create quality content that helps people save and spend efficiently. A jumbo 7/1 ARM allows borrowing a larger loan amount than a traditional 7/1 ARM. It might be a good fit If you’re looking to finance a high-value property and anticipate a significant income increase in the coming years.

Is an adjustable rate a bad idea?

Grasping the 7/1 ARM loan’s journey helps you leverage its benefits while preparing for its challenges. Knowledge is the key to ensuring you stay ahead of the curve. Homebuyers looking for a mix of stability and potential savings. We use your email address to advertise to you on third-party platforms such as search results and social media sites. To opt out of this behavioral advertising, enter your email address in the “Email address” field and then select the “Opt out” button. At Bankrate, we take the accuracy of our content seriously.

• The rates and monthly payments shown are based on a loan amount of $940,000 and a down payment of at least 25%.
• The initial 7/1 ARM mortgage rates often start lower than fixed rates, potentially saving you money early on.
• Make the perfect choice.We give you the tools to find the right home loan.
• 7-year ARMs for home loan amounts above the conforming loan limits are called jumbo loans.
• I’m most interested in providing resources for aspiring first-time homeowners to help demystify the homebuying process.
• To help you find the right one for your needs, use this tool to compare lenders based on a variety of factors.

How does a 7-year ARM work?

We don’t own or control the products, services or content found there. Learn more about the differences between a 7-year ARM and a 15- or 30-year fixed-rate loan. A 7-year ARM can be an appealing option for homeowners who don’t plan on staying in one place for an extended period.

Today’s competitive rates† for adjustable-rate mortgages

And while the margin does not change for the life of the loan, the index can vary, going up or down every six months. All ARM loans set limits on how high or low the rate may go. The rates and monthly payments shown are based on a loan amount of $940,000 and a down payment of at least 25%. Plus, see a jumbo estimated monthly payment and APR example. The rates and monthly payments shown are based on a loan amount of $270,072 and no down payment.

ARM loan requirements

This table does not include all companies or all available products. Indeed, lenders will be aware of that — and they will consider a borrower’s capacity to handle interest rate increases when assessing them for a loan. So they may look especially closely at the stability of your gross income (and its potential to rise) and want your DTI to be on the lower side. The offers that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. But this compensation does not influence the information we publish, or the reviews that you see on this site. We do not include the universe of companies or financial offers that may be available to you.

National mortgage rates by loan type

Your homebuying journey involves evaluating several options, and mortgages are no exception. Exploring both sides of the 7/1 ARM rates is essential to making the most out of your investment. Focusing only on the allure of low initial rates or the potential of future hikes can lead to either over-optimism or unwarranted apprehension.

Annual percentage yield (APR)

These are ARMs that allow you to convert your balance to a fixed rate, usually for a fee. Lenders are free to offer different terms, such as 15-year rate lock periods or letting borrowers select their own payment structure and schedule. When the interest rate of an ARM adjusts, it will be set to a new rate, typically based on a benchmark or index, plus an additional few percentage points (called a margin). Your loan documents will tell you what index and margin are used. We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service.

ARM caps in action

The margin amount, the caps, the maximum lender fees and the potential for negative amortization and payment shock should all weigh more in your decision than the initial rate. Only when you’ve determined you can live with all these factors should you be comparing initial rates. Here’s a comparison of ARM loan payments against the two most popular types of fixed-rate mortgages, with all other things being equal, assuming an adjustment to the maximum payment cap. Some seven year loans have a higher initial adjustment cap, allowing the lender to raise the rate more for the first adjustment than at subsequent adjustments. It’s important to know whether the loans you are considering have a higher initial adjustment cap.

Today’s 7-year ARM rates

Compare week-over-week changes to current adjustable-rate mortgages and annual percentage rates (APR). The APR includes both the interest rate and lender fees for a more realistic value comparison. ARMs have both a fixed-rate period at the beginning and an adjustable-rate period that follows. They are a mix of two loan types, therefore called hybrid ARMs or hybrid mortgages. A pure adjustable rate mortgage would have a rate that started adjusting your first month after closing.

Not all loan programs are available in all states for all loan amounts. Interest rate and program terms are subject to change without notice. Mortgage, Home Equity and Credit products are offered through U.S. While 30-year fixed terms can offer the same interest rate stability for the loan’s lifetime, homeowners can expect to pay more during the first seven years compared to a 7-year ARM. Both begin with fixed terms and convert to an adjustable-rate mortgage after the initial period.

Year ARM Mortgage Calculator

The following table lists historical mortgage rates for 30-year mortgages, 15-year mortgages, and 5/1 ARM loans. Historically 7/1 ARMs trade at slightly higher rates than 5/1 ARMs and fairly close to the rate of the 15-year fixed. Though 7-year loans are all lumped together under the term “seven year loan” or “7/1 ARM” there are, in truth, more than one type of loan under this heading. Understanding which of these types are available could save your wallet some grief in the future. Some types of 7-year mortgages have the potential for negative amortization.

I’ve covered mortgages, real estate and personal finance since 2020. At Bankrate, I’m focused on all of the factors that affect mortgage rates and home equity. I enjoy distilling data and expert advice into takeaways borrowers can use.

For today, Monday, January 06, 2025, the national average 5/1 ARM interest rate is 6.53%, flat compared to last week’s of 6.53%. The national average 5/1 ARM refinance interest rate is 6.41%, down compared to last week’s of 6.42%. I’ve spent five years in writing and editing roles, and I now focus on mortgage, mortgage relief, homebuying and mortgage refinancing topics.

• If no results are shown or you would like to compare the rates against other introductory periods you can use the products menu to select rates on loans that reset after 1, 3, 5 or 10 years.
• One point equals one percent of the loan amount (for example, 2 points on a $100,000 mortgage would equal $2,000).
• ARMs have caps, so your rate can only go up to a certain limit.
• Plus, see an ARM estimated monthly payment and APR example.
• Your payment is smaller for the initial period, but you aren’t paying back any principle.
• Rates on ARMs are usually lower than rates on comparable fixed-rate mortgages, so their monthly mortgage payments are lower.

The shorter your initial fixed-rate period, the lower your interest rate. Understanding 7/1 ARM loans isn’t just about acquiring a house — it’s about ensuring a stable financial future. And that starts with ensuring your rate is the best you can get. Understanding when a 7/1 ARM is your best fit can set you on an advantageous path.

Prior to Bankrate, I wrote and edited for Rocket Mortgage/Quicken Loans. My work has been published by Business Insider, Forbes Advisor, SmartAsset, Crain’s Business and more. The rates shown above are the current rates for the purchase of a single-family primary residence based on a 45-day lock period. Your final rate will depend on various factors including loan product, loan size, credit profile, property value, geographic location, occupancy and other factors. Loan approval is subject to credit approval and program guidelines.

How Does a 7/1 ARM Loan Work?

Remember that your mortgage rate might increase down the road, possibly stretching your budget in the future. The rates and monthly payments shown are based on a loan amount of $464,000 and a down payment of at least 25%. Learn more about how these rates, APRs and monthly payments are calculated.

The following graph is for a 5/1 ARM, but it does a good job of showing how payments can change over time. Yes, you can refinance your ARM to a fixed-rate loan as long as you qualify for the new mortgage. ARM loan guidelines require a 5% minimum down payment, compared to the 3% minimum for fixed-rate conventional loans. The “limited” payment allowed you to pay less than the interest due each month — which meant the unpaid interest was added to the loan balance.

Your monthly payment may fluctuate as the result of any interest rate changes, and a lender may charge a lower interest rate for an initial portion of the loan term. Most ARMs have a rate cap that limits the amount of interest rate change allowed during both the adjustment period (the time between interest rate recalculations) and the life of the loan. During the adjustable-rate period, the estimated payment and rate may change. Market conditions at the time of conversion to the variable rate and during the adjustment period thereafter dictate your rate.

• Negative amortization, to put it simply, is when you end up owing more money than you initially borrowed, because your payments haven’t been paying off any principle.
• And if the index rate goes down, then your monthly mortgage payment could decrease.
• After the initial seven-year period, the rate on your loan will adjust periodically in line with an index rate.
• All ARM loans set limits on how high or low the rate may go.
• All 7-year ARMs set limits on how high or low the rate may go.
• For this example, we assume you’ll take out a 5/1 ARM with 2/2/6 caps and a margin of 2%, and it’s tied to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) index, with an 5% initial rate.
• Interest rates and APRs are based on no existing relationship or automatic payments.
• Bankrate scores are objectively determined by our editorial team.

A mortgage loan officer can offer you guidance on choosing the right loan for your specific needs. 10-year ARMs are increasingly popular as they combine significant savings for the initial rate period with longer protection from market-based interest rate fluctuations. Prequalify to see how much you might be able to borrow, start your application or explore 7-year adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) rates and features.

You’ll have a more balanced perspective by considering pros and cons, helping you make sounder financial decisions. Before the 2008 housing crash, lenders offered payment option ARMs, giving borrowers several options for how they pay their loans. The choices included a principal and interest payment, an interest-only payment or a minimum or “limited” payment. The best way to get an idea of how an ARM can adjust is to follow the life of an ARM.

These rates, APRs, monthly payments and points are current as of ! They assume you have a FICO® Score of 740+ and a specific down payment amount as noted below for each product. They also assume the loan is for a single-family mortgage rates 7 year arm home as your primary residence and you will purchase up to one mortgage discount point in exchange for a lower interest rate. Connect with a mortgage loan officer to learn more about mortgage points.

There are several moving parts to an adjustable-rate mortgage, which make calculating what your ARM rate will be down the road a little tricky. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. An amount paid to the lender, typically at closing, in order to lower the interest rate.