Resources & Links
Graduated Payment Mortgages (GPM)
By RealEstateColorado.Net, Inc.

Graduated Payment Mortgage (GPM)

The GPM is another alternative to the conventional adjustable rate mortgage, and is making a comeback as borrowers and mortgage companies seek alternatives to assist in qualify for home financing

Unlike an ARM, GPMs have a fixed note rate and payment schedule. With a GPM the payments are usually fixed for one year at a time. Each year for five years the payments graduate at 7.5% - 12.5% of the previous years payment.

GPMs are available in 30 year and 15 year amortization, and for both conforming and jumbo loans. With the graduated payments and a fixed note rate, GPMs have scheduled negative amortization of approximately 10% - 12% of the loan amount depending on the note rate. The higher the note rate the larger degree of negative amortization. This compares to the possible negative amortization of a monthly adjusting ARM of 10% of the loan amount. Both loans give the consumer the ability to pay the additional principal and avoid the negative amortization. In contrast, the GPM has a fixed payment schedule so the additional principal payments reduce the term of the loan. The ARMs additional payments avoid the negative amortization and the payments decrease while the term of the loan remains constant.

The scheduled negative amortization on a GPM differs depending on the amortization schedule, the note rate and the payment increases of the loan. GPM loans with 7.5% annual payment increases offer the lowest qualifying rate but the largest amount of negative amortization.

On a loan of $150,000, with a 30 year amortization and a note rate of 10.50% with 12.5% annual payment increases, the negative amortization continues for 60 months. The qualifying rate is 5.75% and the negative amortization is 11.34% (approximately $17,010).

The note rate of a GPM is traditionally .5% to .75% higher than the note rate of a straight fixed rate mortgage. The higher note rate and scheduled negative amortization of the GPM makes the cost of the mortgage more expensive to the borrower in the long run. In addition, the borrowers monthly payment can increase by as much as 50% by the final payment adjustment.

The lower qualifying rate of the GPM can help borrowers maximize their purchasing power, and can be useful in a market with rapid appreciation. In markets where appreciation is moderate, and a borrower needs to move during the scheduled negative amortization period they could create an unpleasant situation.


As one of Denver's Top Mortgage Banking teams.
As seasoned Mortgage Bankers and Realtors, our goal is to help you with financing your home which begins with a personal commitment to you. With over 10 years of experience and closing over 110 million dollars of residential real estate we've helped people like you realize the dream of home ownership by tailoring a loan program that comfortably fits within your budget and not only finding a good home, the best home.

Click on the link to our Secure Loan Server for a Colorado Home Loan

If you have a real estate or mortgage question and or would like immediate assistance, please email us. We can be reached at info@realestatecolorado.net One of us will respond faster then you expect.


For additional resources visit:

Send a Free Colorful Colorado Post Card

Search for Homes and Land in the Summit County MLS
Denver Real Estate

Breckenridge Colorado Real Estate

Boulder Colorado Real Estate

Colorado Springs Real Estate

Ft Collins Colorado Real Estate

Aurora Colorado Real Estate

Colorado Homes for Rent Attention Landlords and Property Management Companies.... Post a Full WEB PAGE AD and POST up to 5 PHOTOS for FREE! of your Colorado investment property on one of the best resources on the internet for Colorado investors to find good quality tenants !

Search For FREE! "Use Your Mouse to Rent Your House" tm




Denver Real Estate Blog Find Denver CO Real Estate News Denver Colorado Homes in our Denver real estate Blog

Breckenridge Real Estate Blog Search Breckenridge Real Estate News on Breckenridge Colorado homes with our Breckenridge Blog

© Copyright 2004 by RealEstateColorado.net