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An amortizing loan requires monthly payments that go toward the principal and interest for a set period of time. In the early years, payments go mostly toward the loan interest.

Amortizing loans are common in personal finance. If you have a home loan, auto loan, personal loan, or student loan, you likely have an amortizing loan.

Understanding how your amortizing loan works could be helpful if you’re thinking of refinancing, selling a car or house early, or getting rid of mortgage insurance.

This article covers:

•   What is an amortizing loan?

•   How does a fully amortizing loan work?

•   Types of amortizing loans.

•   Amortization schedules and calculators.

What Is an Amortizing Loan?

An amortizing loan is one in which the borrower makes monthly payments, usually equal, toward the loan principal (amount borrowed) and interest (the financing charge).

An amortization schedule shows borrowers how their payments are spread out over the full term of the loan. This mortgage calculator shows amortization over time for any given loan value.

Typically, early payments are largely directed at the interest, and later payments go toward the principal. Borrowers who make additional payments on the principal, especially early in the loan, can shave time off their repayment schedule and save on total interest paid.

Recommended: How to Pay Off a 30-Year Mortgage in 15 Years

How Does a Fully Amortizing Loan Work?

Borrowers who make payments on a fully amortizing loan consistently and on time can expect their loan to be paid off in the number of months or years originally discussed when taking out the loan.

Mortgage servicers use a complicated calculation to determine how much interest and principal you will pay at each stage of the loan in order to fully pay it off as scheduled.

While it’s not important for borrowers to understand the intricacies of the math, it is important to know that early payments largely cover the calculated interest and that payments closer to the end of the loan term will go more toward the principal.

Most lenders will provide an amortization schedule so you can track how the ratio of interest to principal changes over time.

Types of Amortizing Loans

Installment loans are typically considered amortizing loans. If you make a monthly installment to pay down a fixed amount of debt by a certain time period, you likely have an amortizing loan.

Mortgages

Most home loans — fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgages — are fully amortizing loans.

If you have a fixed-rate mortgage, you will make fixed monthly payments, whose principal and interest composition will change over the life of the loan. (Note that payments can fluctuate slightly based on homeowners insurance, changing property taxes, and the presence of mortgage insurance.)

With an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), you don’t have a complete amortization schedule to review upfront. Principal and interest amounts change at the end of the loan’s fixed-rate introductory period and every time the rate adjusts — once a year in the case of a 5/1 ARM. But the monthly payments are calculated to pay off the loan at the end of the term, which is usually 30 years.

Non-amortizing mortgages include interest-only loans and balloon mortgages: The principal does not get paid until the loan is due. Most lenders don’t offer non-amortizing mortgages.

Recommended: Guide to the Mortgage Loan Process

Auto Loans

A car loan is another type of amortizing loan. Terms are shorter than those of mortgages (which are commonly 30-year loans). With a mortgage, the loan is backed by the house; with an auto loan, the car that you are financing acts as the collateral.

Personal Loans

Borrowers take out personal loans for a variety of reasons: debt consolidation, emergency payments, or home improvements.

And for some, a dream wedding or vacation.

Because these are installment loans, they are considered amortizing loans.

Student Loans

Because student loans are not revolving — you borrowed a lump sum that you’re now making regular payments on — student loans are installment loans, and amortizing loans.

How does student loan amortization work? As with mortgages and auto loans, student borrowers pay more in interest at the start of the loan repayment term; in fact, some borrowers are only paying interest when they start repayment. Over the life of the loan, the balance will shift, and borrowers’ payments will largely be directed to the outstanding principal balance.

What Is an Amortization Schedule?

Lenders may provide borrowers with an amortization schedule, often in the closing paperwork for a house or car but also usually online in the loan account platform. The schedule, displayed as a table, demonstrates how your monthly payments are split between interest and principal over the life of your loan.

An amortization schedule typically shows you:

•   Month: Each month over the life of a loan appears as a table row. A 30-year mortgage will have 360 rows. These tables can get long!

•   Payment details: You’ll typically see how much your monthly payment is, but more specifically, the interest payment and the principal payment. This helps you to track how each changes over time.

•   Balance: This column shows what your remaining balance will look like after each monthly payment.

Your amortization schedule will include information about the amount borrowed, the terms of the loan, and the interest rate.

Your lender may also provide a helpful column that demonstrates how additional payments on your principal balance can affect your remaining payments.

Recommended: Historical 30-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage Trends

How to Use an Amortization Calculator

Because amortization calculations can be difficult to understand, you may find it helpful to use an online amortization calculator, especially for a home or auto loan. Such calculators can help you visualize:

•   How much money you’ll spend in interest over the life of a loan

•   When you’ll hit important milestones, like 20% paid off for a home loan (that’s when you can typically ask to drop private mortgage insurance)

•   How different interest rates and loan terms can affect your payments (important if considering refinancing)

•   How additional principal-only payments can affect your loan

Again, this mortgage calculator includes a handy-dandy amortization chart. Move your cursor over it to see the breakdown of principal, interest, and remaining loan balance over time.

What You Need to Know About Your Amortizing Loan

Since amortizing loans usually generate fixed monthly payments over the life of the loan, you may feel like it’s something you don’t need to think about. You can simply put the loan on autopay for years and never give it a second thought. But there are several reasons you might want to think twice about your amortizing loan:

Refinancing

If you’re looking for a faster payoff or better interest rate, you may want to refinance your mortgage, auto loan, or student loans. Comparing your current amortization schedule with a proposed schedule with your new rate and terms can help you see if refinancing will actually save you money in the long run.

Short-Term Purchases

If you’re planning to buy a home but know you won’t live in it for long, it’s a good idea to review an amortization schedule (even if it’s an online estimate!) before making an offer.

Since you pay significantly more toward interest than principal at the beginning of most long-term loans, you won’t immediately build significant equity — and if you sell just a couple of years later, you may owe more than you make from the sale.

Recommended: How Rising Inflation Affects Mortgage Interest Rates

Mortgage Insurance

Borrowers usually must purchase private mortgage insurance if they do not put 20% down on a conventional loan. Once you have reached 20% equity, you can ask to have the mortgage insurance removed, reducing your monthly payment. (PMI is automatically terminated when a borrower has gained 22% equity — reaches 78% loan-to-value — and payments are current, or when the loan term has hit its midpoint.)

By using an amortization schedule, you can track when you’ll hit 20%. You may even want to make additional principal payments to reach that date earlier, thus saving you money over the life of the loan.

The Takeaway

With an amortizing loan, borrowers make regular payments consisting of principal and interest over a set number of years. In the early years, borrowers pay more toward the interest, but the balance shifts toward the principal over time.

Are you gearing up to find your dream home? SoFi offers fixed-rate home mortgage loans, with as little as 3% down for qualifying first-time buyers.

FAQ

What is amortization in a loan?

Amortization refers to a loan with regular monthly payments over the duration of that loan. Typically, the vast majority of initial payments goes toward the interest of the loan, with a small amount (if any) going toward the principal balance. Over time, payments are more significantly directed toward the principal balance.

What are amortized loan examples?

Amortized loans are common in everyday life. Examples of fully amortizing loans are mortgages, auto loans, personal loans, and student loans.

Can you pay off an amortized loan early?

You can pay off an amortized loan early. For a mortgage, it may be possible to schedule automatic principal-only payments in your lender’s platform; you may also be able to make manual one-time principal-only payments or request a full payoff quote. With shorter-term loans, like personal loans and auto loans, it is possible to pay off the loan early to save money on interest — but it might be better for your credit score to keep the loans open.

Photo credit: iStock/nd3000

SoFi Mortgages
Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SOHL0922024

A mortgage loan officer helps borrowers determine if they qualify for a home loan, and, if so, find the right type of mortgage and best interest rate and terms for them.

Throughout the home-buying process, your mortgage loan officer will review your information, collect necessary documentation, and track important milestones leading up to closing.

Mortgage loan officers, also called mortgage loan originators, typically work for a specific bank, credit union, or mortgage company.

In this piece, we’ll discuss:

•   What a mortgage loan officer is and does

•   How to find a mortgage loan originator

•   The differences between a mortgage broker and a loan officer

•   The qualifications of a mortgage loan officer

What Is a Mortgage Loan Officer?

The mortgage loan process can be nerve-wracking, even if it’s not your first go-around.

A mortgage loan officer serves as a guide. This individual, sometimes licensed and certified, helps potential homebuyers determine if they qualify for a loan and, if so, which type of home loan is right for them.

A mortgage loan officer is a type of mortgage loan originator (MLO), a regulatory term. An MLO may also refer to a company that does mortgage originations, like a mortgage broker.

What Does a Mortgage Loan Officer Do?

A mortgage loan officer has two main responsibilities:

1.    Accept and review mortgage loan applications from prospective homebuyers

2.    Work with borrowers to determine loan terms, including interest rates

Of course, mortgage loan officers’ day-to-day duties include much more than these two tasks. In a given week, they might meet with potential borrowers to review their options and explain basic loan definitions, work with underwriters to process loan applications, coordinate with home appraisers to ensure a house is worth what a borrower is offering, and monitor important deadlines for various clients to ensure everything is moving along correctly ahead of closing.

Mortgage loan originators charge a fee for their services. Homebuyers can typically expect to pay this fee as part of their closing costs.

Recommended: How Rising Inflation Affects Mortgage Interest Rates

How to Find a Mortgage Loan Originator

Do you need a mortgage loan officer for a home purchase or refinance? Here are some tips for finding a mortgage lender and loan officer, whether you’re an experienced or first-time homebuyer.

Reading Reviews

Reading about other borrowers’ experiences with particular loan officers and lenders can help weed out the ones you should avoid. Sites like the Better Business Bureau are good resources for customer reviews.

Asking Family and Friends

Online reviews aren’t your only source for feedback. You can talk with friends and family who have recently purchased a home to see if they would recommend their loan officer. If you belong to special groups on social media, like a neighborhood group, you can survey a larger group for recommendations for a mortgage loan originator near you.

Talking with Your Real Estate Agent

Real estate agents work closely with a wide range of loan officers. Your agent may be able to recommend a mortgage loan officer with a good reputation.

Shopping Around

Whether you’re interested in a local bank or an online lender, you have multiple options available. Researching multiple lenders online can help give you an idea of the right mortgage loan originator for you.

Interviewing Multiple Mortgage Loan Officers

When you have narrowed down your list, it’s a good idea to interview a few mortgage loan officers. If you let them know that you’re considering multiple options, they may even feel incentivized to offer you a better deal.

Checking Their License

In some cases, mortgage loan officers must receive formal education, register with the government, pass a licensing test, and take continuing education classes to maintain their license.

You can check a license number through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System & Registry (NMLS) consumer access site.

Mortgage loan officers at covered financial institutions (those that are highly regulated) are not required to be licensed; they only need to be registered.

Mortgage Broker vs Direct Lender

If you’re thinking about mortgage shopping, you’ll want to understand the difference between a mortgage broker vs. direct lender.

A loan officer typically works for a specific bank or lender and can thus only offer you loan options from that institution. At bigger banks, you may only be able to access their loan options through their own mortgage loan officers. Working directly with a loan officer may yield discounts on closing costs or access to better rates.

A mortgage broker, on the other hand, does not directly lend you money. Instead, for a fee, brokers shop around to find you the best deal given your financial situation (credit score, down payment, income, etc.).

Because brokers aren’t tied to a specific lender, they might be able to find you a better deal. But brokers do not have access to every lender, so you still might be missing out on the best deal available.

The fees charged by mortgage brokers may be higher than those charged by direct lenders. If you’re deciding whether to work with a broker or direct lender, ask about all the fees associated with loan generation.

Recommended: Can You Roll Closing Costs Into Home Loans?

What Are the Qualifications to Become a Mortgage Loan Originator?

MLOs may follow multiple career paths, each of which may require different levels of education and licensure.

Education

At a minimum, MLOs need to be at least 18 years old with a GED. Many officers at least obtain a bachelor’s degree, often in business, finance, or mathematics.

License vs Registration

If you wish to work independently, for a broker, or for a nonbank, you must obtain licensure. A license is also a value proposition to potential homebuyers: It tells them that you have passed a difficult test and commit to continuing education.

If you work for a “covered financial institution,” you will not be required to obtain a license. You’ll simply need to register every year. The financial institution that employs you will likely coordinate this.

To earn your MLO license, you will need to:

•   Complete 20 hours of courses, as required by the NMLS.

•   Take and pass a state license test.

•   Pass the SAFE MLO test. (SAFE stands for the Secure and Fair Enforcement Act, which established guidelines for MLOs after the housing crisis in 2008.)

•   Keep up with NMLS requirements, including registration and continuing education.

Characteristics

Beyond the registration or license, a good mortgage loan officer will typically need the following qualities:

•   Good with numbers

•   Interpersonal skills

•   Strong decision-making and organization

•   An eye for detail

Recommended: What Are Subprime Mortgages?

The Takeaway

A mortgage loan officer helps potential homebuyers find a fitting mortgage, apply for the loan, and meet deadlines. You can interview several mortgage loan originators to see what they offer.

Are you starting to shop for a home mortgage loan? SoFi offers competitive rates and requires as little as 3% down for qualifying first-time homebuyers.

FAQ

What are the job responsibilities of a mortgage loan officer?

A mortgage loan officer reviews mortgage loan applications and determines which loans and rates to offer potential homebuyers. The officer works with underwriting on loan approval, then helps the homebuyer through the process until closing.

What is the difference between a loan officer and mortgage broker?

A loan officer, aka mortgage loan originator, typically works for a lender and has access to the best deals of that particular lender. A mortgage broker helps homebuyers shop for the best deal, though they don’t have access to every possible loan.

How do you find a mortgage lender?

To find a mortgage lender, it’s a good idea to read online reviews, ask friends and family for recommendations, talk to your real estate agent about a referral, and shop around online.

Photo credit: iStock/Paperkites

SoFi Mortgages
Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SOHL0922025

Before signing your closing documents and walking away with the keys to your new home, it’s important to reexamine the final details of the mortgage. Your lender is required to provide this information ahead of closing in the form of a mortgage closing disclosure.

Paperwork fatigue aside, the closing disclosure deserves careful review, as it outlines the mortgage terms and conditions you’re agreeing to.

What Is a Closing Disclosure?

You may have weighed the different mortgage types and then homed in on one that suited you best.

Maybe you got mortgage pre-approval before zeroing in on a property you couldn’t live without (for a while, at least). Now the deal is almost buttoned up.

Here comes the closing disclosure, a five-page form from your lender outlining the mortgage terms, including the loan principal, interest rate, and estimated monthly payment. It also lays out how much money is owed for closing costs and the down payment.

Lenders are required by federal law to provide the mortgage closing disclosure at least three business days ahead of the closing date.

Recommended: Understanding Mortgage Basics

Why the Closing Disclosure Is Important

The mortgage closing disclosure contains all the final terms of your home loan, like how much you pay each month and over the life of the loan. Other conditions, such as your ability to refinance or pay off the loan early, are detailed here, too.

These specifics can have a significant impact on your personal finances. Just one percentage point difference in the interest rate can cost you thousands in the long run.

When you receive the closing disclosure from your lender, this is a final chance to review the fine print and compare everything with the loan estimate, the three-page document with the loan amount, interest rate, and other key information provided by your lender after you applied for a mortgage.

You may have obtained multiple loan estimates when shopping for a mortgage, but you’ll only get a closing disclosure from the lender you chose to finance with.

Recommended: 18 Mortgage Questions for Your Lender

What’s in the Closing Disclosure?

Visual learners, rejoice: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau maintains a sample closing disclosure with an accompanying checklist and tips on how to read a closing disclosure.

Here’s a breakdown of the components in the closing disclosure.

Loan Terms

The terms include the loan amount, interest rate, and the monthly principal and interest you’ll pay. This section notes if the loan has a prepayment penalty for paying off the mortgage early (a rarity these days) or a balloon payment, a one-time fee due at the end of the loan (ditto).

The closing disclosure will note with a “yes” or “no” whether the amount for any of these items can increase after closing.

Projected Payments

This section shows the factors used for the payment calculation, including the principal and interest, any mortgage insurance, and estimated escrow to pay property taxes, homeowners insurance, and any flood insurance. These add up to estimated total monthly payment for the mortgage.

If you don’t use an escrow account, the bottom of this section will show the monthly costs for property taxes, homeowners insurance, and homeowners association dues, if applicable.

Checking these numbers against the original loan estimate from your lender is good practice.

Costs at Closing

Top of mind for many borrowers is the amount of cash needed to close. Usually, you can expect closing costs to be 2 to 5% of the home purchase price.

This section identifies the “cash to close,” which represents the closing costs plus the down payment owed by the borrower.

Loan Costs

Flipping to Page 2, this section provides a summary of expenses associated with taking out the loan. The costs consist of the origination fee, application fee, underwriting fee, and mortgage points if you’ve chosen to purchase any.

Additional costs are categorized under “services borrower did not shop for” and “services borrower did shop for.” The former includes services arranged by the lender, like the appraisal fee, while the latter refers to services the borrower had a choice in procuring, such as the title search and pest inspection fee.

Other Costs

There are other costs that may be due at signing, such as taxes and government fees, prepaids, escrow payments, and HOA fees.

Ensure that each amount is accurate and correctly entered as either borrow-paid or seller-paid.

Calculating Cash to Close

The table in this section shows a side-by-side comparison between the loan estimate and final dollar amount needed to close.

The calculation will account for any deposits paid by the borrower and seller credits negotiated as part of the deal.

Summaries of Transactions

This section provides a detailed look at what the borrower and seller are paying at closing. Costs prepaid by the seller, such as property taxes and HOA fees, may be adjusted to show what portion is owed by the borrower.

Loan Disclosures

Your mortgage comes with conditions, which are outlined on Page 4 of the closing disclosure. You’ll see which apply based on the box that’s checked for each.

Loan Calculations

On the final page, there are loan calculations showing the total amount you’ll pay over the life of the loan, as well as the finance charge, amount financed, annual percentage rate, and total interest percentage.

If you’re just looking into home loans, a mortgage calculator can estimate your monthly payments and total interest paid over the loan term.

Other Disclosures

The lender must disclose other characteristics of the mortgage, if applicable. They include the appraisal, contract details, liability after foreclosure, ability to refinance, and tax deductions.

Contact Information

Refer to this section if you need to contact the lender, brokers, or settlement agent involved with your mortgage.

Confirm Receipt

Signing the mortgage closing disclosure indicates that you received the form, not that you agree to the terms and accept the loan.

What Is the Three-Day Waiting Period?

As of 2015, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s “Know Before You Owe” mortgage rule requires lenders to provide the mortgage closing disclosure at least three business days before closing.

This aims to give borrowers plenty of time to review the final loan terms, ask their lender any clarifying questions, and prevent unexpected costs at closing.

There are a few scenarios that could change the closing disclosure timeline. Your lender must provide another closing disclosure, thus granting three more days, if one of the following issues occurs:

•  A change in the loan APR (one-eighth of a percentage point or more for a fixed-rate loan or one-quarter of a percentage point for an adjustable-rate mortgage)

•  Addition of a prepayment penalty

•  A change in the loan product

How to Check Your Closing Disclosure

All five pages of the closing disclosure contain key information for the borrower to review. It may be helpful to go line by line with your loan estimate in hand to compare the final terms against what the lender previously provided.

Here are a few important items to pay attention to:

•  Review your name and the property information

•  Check that the loan description and amount match the loan estimate

•  Make sure that the interest rate is unchanged if you locked it

•  Ensure you understand all the fees and any changes to them

What Can and Can’t Change on the Closing Disclosure

There are some costs that can’t be changed on the closing disclosure, while others may increase by a certain percentage or by any amount.

Unless there’s a change in circumstances on the loan, changes can’t be made to the following:

•  Transfer taxes

•  Fees paid to the lender for a required service

•  Fees paid for a required service that the borrower wasn’t allowed to shop separately for

Recording fees and costs for required services from a lender’s written list of providers may not increase by more than 10%.

There are other costs that can change by any amount at any time, including:

•  Prepaid interest, property insurance premiums, or initial escrow deposits

•  Fees for required services by the lender that the borrower shopped separately for

•  Fees for optional third-party services

•  Note that your interest rate can fluctuate if it’s not locked or due to changes on your mortgage application.

What to Do if There’s an Error on the Closing Disclosure

It’s important to notify your lender or settlement agent of any errors on the closing disclosure.

Redoing the closing disclosure could delay the closing and affect your interest rate if your mortgage rate lock expires.

The Takeaway

The mortgage closing disclosure gives a detailed overview of your loan terms and closing costs. If you’re uncertain of any information, reach out to your lender to go over the closing disclosure.

For information about the home buying process, check out SoFi’s mortgage help center.

If you’re looking for a home mortgage loan, consider getting a mortgage with SoFi. Rates are competitive, and mortgage loan officers are available to help you along the way.

FAQ

Does a closing disclosure mean I’m approved?

The loan is approved before you receive the closing disclosure, but a significant change to your credit, income, or debt before closing could affect your approval.

Can you waive the three-day closing disclosure?

You can waive the three-day closing disclosure in the case of a personal financial emergency, such as losing the home if the mortgage doesn’t close in time.

How long after the closing disclosure do you close?

You can close three business days at the earliest after receiving the closing disclosure. Errors on the closing disclosure could delay the process.

Can you be denied after the closing disclosure?

Yes. A dramatic change in your personal finances could cause a lender to reject your mortgage. It’s a good idea to try to avoid changing jobs or taking on new debt near the end zone.

Photo credit: iStock/Khosrork

SoFi Mortgages
Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SOHL0222018

If you’re in the market to buy, the choice could boil down to a condo or a duplex. Someone who would enjoy condo living — communal, with amenities — wouldn’t necessarily savor duplex living, and vice versa.

The financing can be different. Fees differ.

Let’s look at the main differences between these different types of houses.

What Is a Condo?

First, let’s focus on what a condo is. Short for condominium, a condo is a single, privately owned unit that’s part of a community of these units. They can be combined in a building or built as detached structures.

A condo is often a good starter home.

It also can be a good choice for a first-time homebuyer, who technically is someone who hasn’t owned a primary home in three years.

Overseen by a homeowners association (HOA), condo owners have an interest in common areas, from lobbies and hallways to gyms and pools. A purchaser of a unit owns the condo’s interior.

Recommended: Buying a Condo: 8 Things To Do

Pros and Cons of Living in a Condo

When considering a condo, here are pros and cons to ponder.

What Is a Duplex?

A duplex is a multifamily home with two units, each with its own entrance. Sometimes a duplex has two units that are side by side, Sometimes one unit is downstairs and the other upstairs. In that case, outside stairs can lead to the second-story unit.

You may decide to buy a duplex, live in half, and rent out the other half for income — or rent both halves.

Pros and Cons of Living in a Duplex

When considering a duplex, here are pros and cons to consider.

What Is the Difference Between a Condo and a Duplex?

If you found a sweet condo and a duplex with potential, it might pose a dilemma. Here’s more info to inform a decision.

Financing

Homes with up to four units are considered residential, so if you plan to occupy one of the units of a duplex, you’re looking at the same types of mortgage loans you would with a single-family home.

A condo buyer will enjoy the same kind of financing that is available to buyers of single-family homes but will face extra steps and slightly higher interest rates. Financing a condo vs. townhouse, for example, involves a lender review of the condo community or inclusion on a list of approved condominium communities.

Cost

A condo may cost less than a duplex, but it will come with HOA fees. Prices can vary considerably based on the location, size, and condition of a property.

Insurance rates can be higher for a duplex because the entire structure needs to be covered. Rates can be more affordable for a condo owner, who is responsible for the interior of their unit only.

Ownership

With a condo, you’d own the interior of your unit, with common areas owned by the HOA. With a duplex, you’d own the entire structure, which includes the lot it’s built on.

Responsibilities

Duplex owners take on all of the typical homeowner responsibilities.The HOA handles maintenance and repairs for condo owners.

Common Areas

Condo owners can use common areas and amenities, which can include a clubhouse, pool, park, and gym.

If you buy a duplex, people living in both units share the yard, with the owner responsible for its maintenance.

The Exterior

As the owner of a duplex, you’re responsible for the entire property.

At a condo complex, the HOA takes care of common areas, including the building exteriors.

Resale Value

Condos tend to appreciate in value, although not as quickly as single-family homes do.

Duplexes also tend to because of the rent received and the lack of HOA fees.

Condo vs Duplex: The Verdict

If you like the idea of less maintenance and think that HOA fees are worth what you get in return, you would enjoy the community’s amenities, and you’re fine with less green space, then a condo may make sense for you.

If you don’t want to pay HOA fees (and may not use amenities anyway) and believe that having a yard and more control over what you do with your property is a real plus, a duplex may be a better choice.

The Takeaway

When house hunting, two options may include a condo and a duplex. Each has benefits as well as challenges, which should be explored before you make a financial investment in a property.

3 Home Loan Tips

1. To see a house in person, particularly in a tight or expensive market, you may need to show proof of pre-qualification to the real estate agent. With SoFi’s online application, it can take just minutes to get pre-qualified.
2. Not to be confused with pre-qualification, pre-approval involves a longer application, documentation, and hard credit pulls. Ideally, you want to keep your applications for pre-approval to within the same 14- to 45-day period, since many hard credit pulls outside the given time period can adversely affect your credit score, which in turn affects the mortgage terms you’ll be offered.
3. Thinking of using a mortgage broker? That person will try to help you save money by finding the best loan offers you are eligible for. But if you deal directly with a mortgage lender, you won’t have to pay a mortgage broker’s commission, which is usually based on the mortgage amount.

FAQ

Is a condo the same as a duplex?

No. A duplex is a detached home that’s divided in half (side by side or up and down) for two sets of residents, while a condo is a single unit within a condominium community.

Which is better: a duplex or a condo?

It depends upon your preferences and lifestyle.

Is living in a duplex noisy?

It could be! You’ll either have a shared wall or a shared ceiling/floor with someone else. So if the residents in the other half have a rambunctious lifestyle, it could get noisy.

Are duplexes cheaper than condos?

In general, a condo may be cheaper than a duplex, but location, size, and condition affect the values.

Photo credit: iStock/william87
SoFi Mortgages
Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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When looking for a property to buy, you might consider a single-family detached home, a townhouse, a condo, a co-op apartment, or something else.

Let’s look at the pros and cons of buying a townhouse vs. a condo.

What Is a Townhouse?

At first glance, a townhouse might look like a detached multifloor home, but a closer look will show that it’s attached to at least one similar unit.

Townhouses are often found in urban areas where space is at a premium. They often come with a front or back yard. Owners own the inside and outside of their unit and the land it sits on.

The townhome community may have a homeowners association and maintenance fees.

Benefits of Buying a Townhouse

There are at least three upsides to purchasing a townhouse.

Owner Rights

Because people who buy a townhouse own the land it’s on, they have more freedom in how to use the yard. A yard or patio can open possibilities for a grilling spot or dog or child play area.

They also have at least some freedom of choice about the appearance of the inside and outside of the structure.

Price

In communities with high home prices, townhouses may be an affordable alternative for first-time homebuyers.

House hunters from millennial homebuyers to empty-nesters may also find a townhouse a sweet spot between a condo and a traditional detached home with yard.

Plus, because lots tend to be smaller than ones with detached homes on them, property taxes are usually lower as well.

Low Maintenance

Smaller yards mean less yardwork, ideal for busy people and those who are downsizing their home and responsibilities.

The townhouse complex may be gated and have security, and some have pools, gyms, and other shared recreational spaces whose maintenance is covered by homeowner fees.

Disadvantages of Buying a Townhouse

When you think of townhouse living, keep in mind the close quarters with neighbors and possible HOA fees and rules.

HOA

Townhouse communities are less likely to have an HOA than condominiums are, but if they do, the resident-led board will collect ongoing fees to cover common areas and any community perks such as a pool. The HOA will also enforce community rules.

Lack of Privacy

Because of the shared walls, a townhouse provides less privacy than a detached home (although more than many condo buildings, where you may have a unit above and below yours. Townhouse living may therefore create some challenges for families with young children.

What Is an Apartment?

An apartment is a room or set of rooms within a building. In major cities, some people refer to buying a condo or co-op shares as buying an apartment.

Condo owners own everything within their unit and have an interest in the common elements. “Buying a co-op apartment” really means holding shares in the housing cooperative that owns the property.

Then there are people and companies that buy a multifamily property like an apartment building and rent out the units. An owner could decide to live in one of the units and serve as an on-site landlord.

Benefits of Living in an Apartment

Let’s look at some benefits of buying a condo.

Low Maintenance

You won’t typically need to make many repairs, mow the grass, or paint. That’s covered by the monthly or quarterly fees you’ll pay.

Low Utilities

First, condos tend to be smaller than single-family homes, which can reduce the cost of heating and cooling the space, and take less electricity to keep it well lit.

HOA

If the building has an HOA, the association will take care of property maintenance and enforcement of rules.

Disadvantages of Living in an Apartment

Apartment life can come with disadvantages, too. Here are a few.

Parking

You may or may not have a parking space set aside for you, and street parking isn’t always a given in busy locales. Even if you have a parking spot, if people come to visit, they may not easily find anywhere to park.

Noisy or Nosy Neighbors

If you appreciate quiet calmness, you may not find all you’d like in condo living. Neighbors are nearby and they may appreciate louder and more frequent interactions than you’d prefer. If you’re in a crowded city, surrounding events can contribute to the jostling and noise.

Limited Space

If you’re used to living in a house, you could find a more compact apartment to be challenging as you try to fit in your belongings. Plus, it isn’t unusual not to have yard space or a patio, which further limits the amount of space you have to use and enjoy.

Differences Between a Townhouse and an Apartment

When comparing apartment or condo vs. townhouse, keep in mind these differences.

3 Home Loan Tips

1.    Traditionally, mortgage lenders like to see a 20% down payment. But some lenders, such as SoFi, allow home mortgage loans with as little as 3% down for qualifying first-time homebuyers.

2.    Your parents or grandparents probably got mortgages for 30 years. But these days, you can get them for 20, 15, or 10 years — and pay less interest over the life of the loan.

3.    Generally, the lower your debt-to-income ratio, the better loan terms you’ll be offered. One way to improve your ratio is to increase your income (hello, side hustle!). Another way is to consolidate your debt and lower your monthly debt payments.

FAQ

Do townhomes appreciate as much as houses?

In general, townhomes do not appreciate as quickly as single-family detached homes, thanks to the amount of land that comes with traditional stand-alone homes.

Are townhouses a bad investment?

In some circumstances, a townhouse may be a good investment. The price, current market conditions, and location are factors.

Are fees higher for a townhouse or condo?

Condo HOA dues are typically a lot higher than townhouse fees (if the townhouse community even has an HOA). Condo communities usually have many more amenities to maintain.

Photo credit: iStock/Auseklis

SoFi Mortgages
Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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