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An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) starts out with a low interest rate for a set amount of time before periodically adjusting based on market conditions, making it an attractive option for borrowers who dont plan to stay in their home for a long period of time. Borrowers in this situation can lock in a low interest rate for the first several years and then move to another home before having to worry about the rate adjusting and their monthly payments skyrocketing.

But those who plan to stay in their home for an extended period of time often experience a shock when their interest rates reset”and their monthly payments jump. If you have an ARM, and affording your new monthly payments will be a stretch as the interest rate begins to fluctuate, you have options when it comes to refinancing your mortgage.

How an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage Works
An ARM has an adjustment period that refers to how frequently the rate will change. For example, with a one-year ARM, the interest rate will adjust once per year after the initial low interest rate expires. Lenders refer to several indexes to set their interest rates when ARMs adjust. Ask your lender which index it uses to set rates, and pay attention to how that index fluctuates over time. Your loan servicer should send you an estimate of what your new payment amount will be after the rate adjustment several months before the change occurs.

What to Do If You Cant Afford Your New Mortgage Payments
If higher monthly payments would leave you struggling to cover your mortgage and other bills, you might be able to refinance your loan. You could choose a fixed-rate mortgage or a hybrid ARM with a low introductory rate that would adjust later.

You might also be able to switch to a fixed-rate mortgage with a longer repayment period than your initial loan, which could give you lower monthly payments than you would have at the new rate with your ARM. If you decided to take out a 40-year fixed-rate mortgage, the interest rate would likely be a little higher than it would be with a 30-year fixed loan.

Another option is to take out a home equity loan, or second mortgage. Doing so could allow you to lower your interest rate and possibly shorten the term of the loan with little effect on your monthly payments.

Stay Calm and Explore Your Options
If your interest rate on an adjustable-rate mortgage has risen and your mortgage payments have jumped significantly, you may be feeling shocked and overwhelmed, but you have options that can help you avoid stretching your budget too thin. While working closely with your lender is critical when it comes to choosing the best mortgage for your situation, its also important to understand how an adjustable-rate mortgage works, and how and when the interest rate will reset.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional or legal advice.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

These four iconic destinations embrace outdoor living with serious style.

Bali, Indonesia

An abundance of greenery and teak furniture beside your pool or water feature will create a lush jungle oasis in your backyard.

Santorini, Greece

Introduce a rustic appeal with vibrant blue and white patterned textiles and a wooden pergola for your own slice of Greek paradise.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Combine tropical and desert plantings, like cacti and palm trees, with hammocks and Acapulco chairs to create a breezy vibe where you can laze the day away.

Paris, France

Embrace the elegance of wrought-iron furniture and antique gaslight lanterns to illuminate evenings spent enjoying wine on the terrace.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Germany leads the world in energy efficiency, followed by Italy, Japan, France and the United Kingdom, according to an international scorecard. The United States is tied for eighth with South Korea.

What are other countries doing so much better than the U.S.? Can the big steps that Germany, for example, is taking to be more green be broken down for individuals to do?

The 2016 International Energy Efficiency Scorecard from the nonprofit American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, or ACEEE, looked at performance in buildings, industry, transportation and overall national energy efficiency efforts.

Those are broad areas and apply to entire countries. But there are plenty of small things that an individual or a family can do to save energy that are more widely used around the globe. Here are a few:

Build better: If youre adding on to your home or remodeling, consider green building materials that will make your home more energy efficient. Forty percent of all energy is consumed in buildings, and most of that is used for heating.

Buy green: When choosing a refrigerator or freezer, pay a little more money upfront if you have to for the one thats more energy efficient. Products with the Energy Star certification clearly make it easy to see how much energy something uses and how much it costs per year to power it. Look for the most energy efficient product you can when shopping, such as light bulbs and consumer electronics.

Ride a bike: Germany has extensive bicycle transportation networks, with more than 200 long-distance bicycle paths. Riding a bike to work every day may be difficult, but try riding on errands a few miles from home to see if it improves your health and lowers the gas bill for your car.

Take public transportation: The German public transportation system is so large that 88 percent of Germans live near a bus or train stop. Share your car or take the bus to work and save money and help the environment.

Recycle: If your citys garbage collector doesnt have a recycling program, ask for one. Germany has a complicated recycling system where items must be sorted and recycled properly. Recycling helps reduce pollution, conserve resources and save energy. For example, about 95 percent of the energy used to produce an aluminum can from virgin materials can be saved by using recycled aluminum instead.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Buying a home often requires years of saving for a down payment, which is money that a buyer pays upfront toward the cost of a house. This is the immediate equity that a buyer has when purchasing a home. Unless buying with cash funds, the rest of the money comes from a loan. Different lenders require different amounts of money down based on a variety of factors. Lenders refer to a down payment in terms of a percentage of the purchase price.

Private Loans
Private lenders typically prefer that buyers put down 20 percent. Some will accept lower down payments, but those borrowers are considered a higher risk. Lenders want a guarantee and require borrowers with lower down payments to pay for mortgage insurance. This is a policy that pays the lender if the borrower defaults on the loan and the house winds up in foreclosure.

The cost of mortgage insurance depends on the size of the down payment and loan, as well as the borrowers credit score. Mortgage insurance tends to be expensive, which is why many people decide to put off buying a house until they can save enough money to put down 20 percent. If you put down 20 percent, you will have a better chance of being approved by a private lender, and you will also generally qualify for a lower interest rate, fees and monthly payments.

Government Programs
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) allows borrowers to obtain mortgages with as little as 3.5 percent down. FHA guarantees a portion of the amount borrowed and offers loans at lower rates than private lenders. FHA charges less for down payments of 5 percent or more and does not base its fees on the borrowers credit score.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are government-sponsored companies that make money available for lenders to provide to borrowers. The programs are designed for people with low- and moderate-incomes. These mortgages require as little as 3 percent down. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers loans with zero percent down for active-duty military members and veterans. The Department of Agriculture also offers loans with no down payment to encourage home purchases in specific rural areas. Borrowers that obtain loans from private lenders guaranteed by the government are required to pay for guarantee fees, but not mortgage insurance.

Finding the Down Payment That is Right for You
The amount you should put down on a house depends on your specific financial situation, including your income, savings and credit score. It also depends on the price of the house you want and whether you want to buy immediately or can afford to wait. Putting down more can significantly lower your monthly payments. You need to make sure you do not use up all of your savings because you will still need to buy furniture and have money set aside for any necessary repairs. You should also consider the fees and closing costs. Compare lenders and weigh your options carefully to make the right choice.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

There are many advantages of homeownership, but the burden of maintaining, repairing and replacing home appliances goes right along with it. The decision to repair or replace a broken or failing appliance is often made under pressure and without adequate knowledge about the nature of the appliance or its expected lifetime.

Water Heaters
Unless the water heater isnt working properly because of a part thats easy to replace, its almost never a good idea to repair it. The primary causes of water heater failure are tank leaks or corrosion, neither of which can be repaired.

Refrigerators
Many repairs for refrigerators are easy and affordable, especially if the problem is a bad motor, a refrigerant leak or issues with electronic controls. However, door seals can fail, causing the appliance to run overtime or build frost in the freezer section. Between the cost of replacement seals and the labor to install them, it often makes sense to replace the refrigerator instead of repairing it.

Dishwashers
Mechanically, dishwashers are fairly simple appliances that are easily repaired. Problems associated with the door seal or holes inside the tub often prompt a replacement rather than a repair, though.

Stoves and Ovens
Because stoves and ovens have few moving parts, they break down less often and replacement is typically a matter of personal preference rather than necessity. However, stove and oven heating elements do fail, and unless the appliance is too old, replacement burners and elements are readily available. Newer ovens and ranges may have control panels built into them that can fail. Prices for parts vary, and it may be better to replace the unit rather than the component, especially if theres an active home warranty.

Washers and Dryers
Water leaks and broken belts are common problems associated with washing machines and easy to repair. A burned-out motor may prompt a replacement, depending on the washers age and condition. Clothes dryers create a good deal of heat, and when they malfunction, it can be dangerous if their safety switches malfunction. A dryer that overheats clothing is a fire hazard, and unless the breakdown results from a failed motor or timer, its probably a good idea to consider replacing it.

Major appliances do make life easier and more comfortable, but theyre often a mystery to homeowners. When making a repair-or-replace decision, consult the manufacturers or representatives that service them.

Published with permission from RISMedia.