A fixed rate is quite common when searching for home mortgage refinancing. This type of rate benefits those who have a stable income, plan to stay in the same home for at least 3 years, and who need to be able to plan ahead for expenses in the foreseeable future. The fixed mortgage rate is set at the onset of the loan term and does not change during the term. It tends to be somewhat higher than an adjustable rate mortgage since the lender has a slightly higher risk of loss with this type of loan.
Negative equity loans are more likely to be seen in new home mortgages than in home mortgage refinancing loans, since the concept is relatively new. Essentially, the negative amortization loan adds the unmet portion of interest and principal payments each month to the principal balance. This means that at the end of the grace period which can be only a few months, the borrower ends up owing more in principal than was on the original loan. A few individuals can take advantage of this type of loan but it requires self-discipline and an understanding of strict budgeting.