Change Frequency

The change frequency refers to the adjustment schedule for an adjustable-rate mortgage. A person with an adjustable-rate mortgage will see his or her rate change every so often. Most of these mortgages are indexed to some sort of financial indicator. This means that they are subject to go up or down depending upon certain factors in the economy. The change frequency will be different for different mortgages. Some people have their rates adjusted every three months though the most common change frequency is one year. Some people might be able to negotiate for a period of more than one year though this is less common. The change frequency is important to those who worry about their real estate risk profile. A higher change frequency means that the loan is more volatile. This can make financial planning very difficult. A lower change frequency allows the borrower to plan into the future though it provides less ability for the borrower to take advantage of shifting rates.