An adjustable rate 'running out' could mean several different things. I'll briefly explain each of them, although I am not positive which fits your specific situation.
If you have a home equity line of credit, you may have been set up with an initial draw period, followed by a repayment period. These loans are typically 30 year terms, where the first 10 years are a variable rate, requiring an interest only payment. After the first 10 years, the line is capped and a 20 year repayment period begins. This means you can no longer access credit on the line, the payment that is required is now a principal and interest payment that will amortize, or pay off, the loan over the remaining 20 years of the term.
If you had a
home equity loan (not a line of credit) that had an initial fixed period but is now set to adjust you will face different circumstances. If this is the case, your interest rate will reset, but your payments will continue, based off of the new interest rate. To find out what your rate will adjust to you need to go back to your initial note. The note you signed when you took the loan out will discuss the specifics of your situation. This will include the date of your adjustment, how often it will adjust after that, and what index the adjustment will be based on. That, along with the margin (also included in your note) will give you an idea of what type of interest rate your loan will adjust to. You can then calculate your new payment based off of that interest rate.
Next, if by run out you are referring to a balloon note, than you will have yet another set of circumstances. A balloon note, which you would have signed at the time of closing will lay out the terms of the loan as well. Typically you have an initial fixed period (5, 7, 10, or 15 years) after which the loan 'balloons'. This means that payment in full is then required on the remaining balance on the loan. If this is the case, the lender will typically no longer accept payments and will require complete repayment. Under most circumstances this would involve a refinance, if this is the case on your loan it is advisable to speak with a lending professional immediately as it is possible for your existing lender to foreclose if you cannot make the full balloon payment when it is required.
Regardless of which of the above situations matches yours, you should find your copy of the note you signed at closing. It will contain all of the information needed to tell you exactly what will happen with your loan, so that you can make the best plan for your situation.
Answer Submitted on Tue, Mar 31 2009
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