The interest-only mortgage is primarily characterized by the fact that no principal is repaid during the term of the mortgage. Maatwerk-Hypotheek provides you with all information about the interest-only mortgage.
Interest-only mortgage: what exactly is it?
An interest-only mortgage is a mortgage loan where no principal is repaid during the term of the mortgage. This means that you pay only interest on the mortgage. This allows you to benefit maximally from the mortgage interest deduction. Your monthly payment consists solely of mortgage interest, keeping the monthly burden low. Furthermore, this monthly payment remains the same for the entire fixed-rate period. Eventually, the interest-only mortgage must, of course, be repaid. This usually happens when the property is sold. If you do not sell the property and the interest-only mortgage expires, it is necessary to take out a new mortgage to repay the interest-only mortgage, or you must have saved up this amount yourself during the term.
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Are you also curious about the maximum amount you could borrow to buy a home? Or do you want to know if refinancing your current mortgage would be beneficial for you? Then click on the “Start my own calculation” button below and indicate in the main menu what type of calculation (first-time buyer, mover, refinancing, mortgage based on current rental costs, or a mortgage tailored to your situation) you would like to receive. In addition to the calculation you will receive immediately, we will also send you an E-book detailing everything you need to gather to take out a mortgage. “Are”recalculate it myself" and indicate in the main menu what type of calculation you wish to receive (starter, mover, remortgaging, mortgage based on current rental costs, or a bespoke mortgage for your situation).
Besides the calculation you will receive immediately, you will also receive a E-book In addition to the calculation you will receive immediately, we will also send you an E-book detailing everything you need to gather to take out a mortgage.
The interest-only mortgage entails risks.
The interest-only mortgage must be repaid at the end of the term of the mortgage loan or when you sell the property. It is important to know that an interest-only mortgage entails risks. Do you want to continue living in the home? Then there is a good chance that the interest-only mortgage will expire – and therefore need to be repaid – when you are already retired. Many people do not save for the repayment, meaning a new mortgage must be taken out for the property. Has your income decreased due to retirement? Then you may be able to obtain a smaller mortgage, creating the risk that you cannot borrow enough to continue living in the home. In this case, the property must be sold. In many cases, this results in a residual debt. Maatwerk-hypotheek can, of course, advise you.
Interest-only mortgage benefits
The interest-only mortgage has been particularly popular, certainly in the past. Consequently, there are many people who have an interest-only mortgage. This type of mortgage offers various advantages, including:
- Maximizing the benefit of the mortgage interest deduction
- The lowest monthly payments (after all, you pay only interest and no principal)
- You are not tied to savings policies or a blocked savings account.
Disadvantages of an interest-only mortgage
The interest-only mortgage has been the subject of considerable controversy in recent years due to the high risks. As a result, interest-only mortgages have, in principle, not been granted since 2013. This has everything to do with the disadvantages of the interest-only mortgage:
- The monthly payments do not decrease over the term.
- Your mortgage debt remains the same throughout the term.
- The mortgage debt exceeds the home value if the home value decreases.
The interest-only mortgage has been abolished since January 1, 2013.
Many people who took out an interest-only mortgage in the past and did not save anything themselves for repayment face financial difficulties at the end of the term. For some of these individuals, this means that the home must be sold under duress to repay the interest-only mortgage. This enormous risk led to the abolition of the interest-only mortgage as of January 1, 2013. Therefore, you can no longer take out a new interest-only mortgage. However, this does not mean that the interest-only mortgage no longer exists. There are still many people in the Netherlands who took out the mortgage before 2013 and still hold this type of mortgage. These people are allowed to transfer their interest-only mortgage loan when they wish to switch to another mortgage provider. Naturally, they are also allowed to refinance the mortgage and choose a different type of mortgage.
Taking the interest-only mortgage with you when switching
Do you have an interest-only mortgage and would you like to switch to another mortgage lender without moving house? This is entirely possible. In this case, you can simply have your mortgage taken over by another lender while retaining the old rules. Naturally, this means you continue to benefit from the maximum mortgage interest deduction, but it also means you will continue to face the significant risks associated with this type of mortgage. Maatwerk-Hypotheek is happy to advise you and help you minimize these risks as much as possible.
Taking the interest-only mortgage with you when moving
It becomes more difficult if you want to transfer your interest-only mortgage when moving. In this case, it is necessary to take out a new mortgage, and taking out a new interest-only mortgage is not permitted. However, there are exceptions. It is actually still permitted to take out a 50 percent interest-only mortgage loan. If you need more than 50 percent of the property price to finance the home, this can be supplemented with a linear or annuity mortgage. Additionally, banks may make exceptions in certain situations. Naturally, Maatwerk-Hypotheek can advise you so that you know exactly what your options are.
No more mortgage interest deduction for interest-only mortgages
To protect homebuyers, 100 percent interest-only mortgages have been abolished. This makes choosing an interest-only mortgage as unattractive as possible and makes it more attractive to opt for annuity or linear borrowing. This means that the right to mortgage interest deduction for interest-only mortgage types has been abolished. With linear and annuity mortgages, you are entitled to a maximum of 30 years of mortgage interest deduction. Did you already have an interest-only mortgage before 2013? Then you still benefit from the associated mortgage interest deduction.
Investing or saving on your own is common
For people who took out an interest-only mortgage before 2013, it is common practice to build up an amount for the repayment of the mortgage through investing or saving. This significantly limits the risks of the interest-only mortgage. With the accumulated amount, the interest-only mortgage loan can be repaid in full or in part at the end of the term. Are you only able to repay a portion with this amount? Then it is often easier to take out a new mortgage for the remaining amount, thereby preventing a forced sale of the home.
Personal advice on the interest-only mortgage
Would you like to know more about interest-only mortgages, or do you have this type of mortgage and want to limit the risks? Maatwerk-Hypotheek is happy to help. You are very welcome to visit us for personal advice, even if you wish to refinance or transfer your mortgage. Click on the “Request free consultation” button below and leave your details so we can call or email you back. “Request a free inventory consultation” and leave your details so we can call or email you back.