Fixed Rate vs ARM Mortgage in Virginia

A 5/1 ARM has a fixed interest rate for the first 5 years, then adjusts once per year based on a market index plus a margin. The initial rate is usually 0.5% to 1% lower than a comparable 30-year fixed rate. Rate caps limit how much the rate can increase at each adjustment and over the life of the loan.

A fixed-rate mortgage is better when you plan to stay in your home long-term, interest rates are historically low, or you value payment predictability. It protects you from rising rates and simplifies long-term budgeting.

Most ARMs have caps that limit rate increases: a periodic cap (typically 2% per adjustment), and a lifetime cap (typically 5-6% above the initial rate). For example, if your initial rate is 5.5%, the maximum it could reach is usually around 10.5-11.5% over the life of the loan.