Mortgage Amortization Formula:
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Mortgage amortization is the process of paying off a loan with regular payments over a specified period. Each payment covers both interest and principal, with the proportion shifting over time as the loan balance decreases.
The calculator uses the amortization formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula calculates the fixed monthly payment required to fully amortize a loan over its term, accounting for both principal and interest components.
Details: Accurate monthly payment calculation is essential for budgeting, financial planning, and determining affordability when considering mortgage options or other loans.
Tips: Enter the principal amount in dollars, annual interest rate as a percentage, and loan term in years. All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: What is included in the monthly payment?
A: The calculated payment includes principal and interest. Additional costs like property taxes, insurance, and PMI are not included.
Q2: How does interest rate affect the payment?
A: Higher interest rates result in higher monthly payments as more money goes toward interest rather than principal reduction.
Q3: What is the difference between 15-year and 30-year mortgages?
A: 15-year mortgages have higher monthly payments but much less total interest paid over the life of the loan compared to 30-year mortgages.
Q4: Can I make extra payments to pay off my mortgage faster?
A: Yes, making additional principal payments can significantly reduce the loan term and total interest paid.
Q5: Are there different types of amortization schedules?
A: While fixed-rate mortgages use standard amortization, other loan types may have different payment structures like interest-only or balloon payments.