If you choose a fixed rate mortgage, the rate you lock in during the loan process will be the rate you have for the life of your loan. A 30-year fixed rate mortgage is one of the most common, traditional types of loans, and can be a particularly attractive option when rates are low.
If you choose an adjustable rate mortgage (or “ARM”) your rate will likely vary over the life of the loan. Many ARMs have what is known as an introductory period in which your rate stays the same for a specified amount of time, followed by periodic rate adjustments for the remainder of the loan. In a "5/1 ARM," for instance, your introductory rate will stay the same for the first five years, and your rate may then adjust up or down each year thereafter. The introductory rates on ARMs are often lower than their fixed rate loan equivalents.
Most lenders offer a wide variety of fixed- and adjustable-rate home loan options (Solarity does!). Solarity's expert Home Loan Guides will help walk you through the loan options to help you find the one that’s best for you and your particular situation.