Amerisave Logo
FIXED-RATE LOAN

Lock in your rate for life with a fixed-rate loan.

  • checkmark iconPredictable monthly payments
  • checkmark iconChoose a term that works for you
  • checkmark iconBuild equity consistently
Get Started
Product Image
KEY BENEFITS

Why choose AmeriSave for a fixed-rate loan?

Smarter technology. Real numbers.
Quick And Easy

Smarter technology. Real numbers.

  • Get Personalized Loan Options
    Get Personalized Loan Options

    See your best loan options with technology that analyzes your finances in real time.

  • Flexible Loans And Terms
    Flexible Loans And Terms

    Pick the right loan and term that helps you achieve your unique homeownership goals.

  • Close Your Loan Quickly
    Close Your Loan Quickly

    Get approved and funded quickly, so you can enjoy your new financial freedom.

How It Works

Lock your rate. Lock your payment.

A fixed-rate mortgage offers payment certainty with the same principal and interest payment every month for the life of the loan.

Step 1
Step 1

Choose Your Term

10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years. Shorter terms have lower rates and higher monthly payments, but you pay them off faster; longer terms have lower monthly payments but cost more in interest over time.

Step 2
Step 2

Lock Your Rate

The locked rate applies for the entire loan term; no resets, no adjustments, no surprises. Apply online to get your personalized loan options.

Step 3
Step 3

Close On Your Timeline

Standard 30 to 45-day closing timelines apply for purchases; refinances often close faster.

Step 4
Step 4

Predicable Principal And Interest Payments

Your principal and interest payment never changes. Property taxes and insurance may adjust over time, but the loan portion stays fixed.

0
RATE ADJUSTMENTS, EVER

What you sign is what you pay.

Unlike an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), a fixed-rate loan never resets. The rate you lock at closing is the rate you pay until the loan is paid off or refinanced, through every market cycle.

Smart Uses

When A Fixed-Rate Loan Fits

The fixed-rate mortgage is the default in U.S. home lending because predictability matches how most people want to budget.

Long-Term Homeowner

Long-Term Homeowner

If you plan to stay 7+ years, fixed-rate eliminates the rate-reset risk that ARMs carry.

Rate Certainty Priority

Rate Certainty Priority

Some borrowers prefer paying a small rate premium for the security of knowing the payment never changes.

Tight Monthly Budget

Tight Monthly Budget

Locking the payment means inflation in other categories doesn't squeeze your housing cost.

First-Time Home Buyer

First-Time Home Buyer

Predictable payments help new homeowners budget for the unknowns of first-year homeownership.

Eligibility

Fixed-Rate Loan Requirements

Fixed-rate underwriting follows standard mortgage qualification.

Credit Score
Credit Score

620+ for conventional; 580+ for FHA; VA and USDA have flexible minimums. Higher scores get better rates.

Debt-To-Income Ratio
Debt-To-Income Ratio

43–50% maximum with the new payment included.

Down Payment
Down Payment

3% (some conventional), 3.5% (FHA), 5%+ (conventional), 0% (VA, USDA for eligible borrowers); 20%+ avoids PMI on conventional.

Verified Income And Assets
Verified Income And Assets

Employment verification covering the past two years, current paystubs, and bank statements showing down payment and closing cost funds. Self-employed borrowers submit tax returns in place of W-2s.

Mortgage Loan Options

Fixed-Rate vs. Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM)

Both fund the same home, but the interest rate works very differently. The right choice depends on how long you plan to stay and your tolerance for rate uncertainty.

Fixed-Rate Loan
Interest Rate
Locked for the full loan term (10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years)
Monthly Payment
Same principal and interest payment for the life of the loan
Risk Profile
No rate risk; complete payment certainty
Initial Rate
Typically slightly higher than ARM's initial rate
Best For
Long-term homeowners, rate certainty seekers, buyers in volatile rate environments
Refinance Flexibility
Can refinance anytime; closing costs apply
Predictability
Maximum; what you sign is what you pay
Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
Interest Rate
Fixed for an initial period (typically 5, 7, or 10 years), then adjusts periodically
Monthly Payment
Initial payment is lower; payment can rise or fall after the fixed period
Risk Profile
Rate and payment risk after the introductory period ends
Initial Rate
Typically lower than fixed-rate initially
Best For
Short-term ownership plans (typically under 7 years); buyers expecting income to rise
Refinance Flexibility
Can refinance anytime; some borrowers refinance before reset
Predictability
Lower; future payments depend on future rate environments
The Honest Take

Pros And Cons of A Fixed-Rate Loan

Fixed-rate loans are the gold standard for predictability, but the certainty costs slightly more in initial rate.

What Works In Your Favor

Predictable Payments

Principal and interest don't change for the full term, regardless of what happens to market rates.

Protection From Rate Increases

If rates climb after you close, your payment is unaffected.

Long-Term Planning

Budgeting decades into the future is straightforward when housing cost is fixed.

Available In Multiple Terms

10, 15, 20, 25, and 30-year options let you match the term to your goals.

No Rate-Reset Uncertainty

Unlike ARMs, fixed-rate loans never adjust; eliminating payment shock risk.

What To Weigh Carefully

Slightly Higher Initial Rate

Fixed-rate borrowers pay a small premium for the rate certainty.

No Benefit If Rates Drop

If market rates fall significantly, you'll need to refinance (and pay closing costs) to capture the new rate.

Higher Initial Payment Than ARM

The same loan amount may carry a higher payment in the first few years compared to an ARM.

Less Flexibility

Once locked, you're committed to the rate until you refinance or pay off the loan.

May Not Match Short-Term Plans

Buyers planning to move in 3–5 years may save with an ARM and accept the rate-reset risk that comes later.

Frequently Asked Questions

A fixed-rate mortgage lets you lock in an interest rate when you close on your home loan and stays the same until you’ve made your final payment. You’ll know precisely what you’ll pay each month for principal and interest for the entire term — whether that’s 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years. No surprises or adjustments despite economic changes.

Several types of fixed-rate mortgages are available, including conventional home loans and jumbo loans, which cover larger mortgage amounts that exceed the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) limits.

Government agencies back other fixed-rate loan types and often come with less restrictive eligibility requirements:

  • Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans are designed for borrowers with moderate credit scores or limited funds for down payment. With minimum down payments of 3.5% the total loan amount, they’re particularly useful for first-time home buyers. 
  • VA loans are guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs exclusively for military service members, veterans, and eligible surviving spouses. These loans offer competitive rates with no down payment requirement and no private mortgage insurance. 

The choice depends on your personal financial situation and risk tolerance. A fixed-rate mortgage may be the better option if you prefer predictability and want to know exactly how much you’ll pay monthly. However, if you’re comfortable with a bit of uncertainty and want to save money in the short term, an adjustable-rate mortgage may be a better fit.

Yes, you can refinance a fixed-rate loan. Refinancing replaces your current mortgage with a new one, potentially with a lower interest rate, different term length, or changed loan program altogether. Common reasons to refinance include:

  • Securing a lower interest rate when market rates drop
  • Shortening your loan term to pay off your mortgage faster
  • Extending your loan term to reduce monthly payments
  • Switching from an FHA loan to a conventional loan to eliminate mortgage insurance
  • Accessing home equity through cash-out refinancing for major expenses

Just like your original mortgage application, refinancing requires credit checks, income verification, and a home appraisal. Many homeowners find that the long-term savings justify the upfront closing costs, especially if you plan to stay in your home for several years. Get a rate quote today.

When deciding on a mortgage, knowing both sides of the fixed-rate coin helps you make the best choice for your financial situation. Fixed-rate loans offer certainty but come with trade-offs compared to adjustable options. Here’s how they stack up:

Pros:

  • Your payment amount never changes, making budgeting predictable for years to come
  • You’re protected from rising interest rates, no matter what the market does
  • Simpler to understand than adjustable-rate options — what you see is what you get
  • Available in various term lengths to match your financial goals

Cons:

  • Initially higher interest rates compared to introductory rates on adjustable mortgages
  • If rates drop significantly, you’ll need to refinance to benefit
  • May pay more interest over time if you sell or refinance within a few years
  • Higher monthly payments for shorter terms (like 15-year loans), though you’ll build equity faster

Related Articles