What happens to payments after a buy-down period expires?

When a buy-down period expires, payments typically increase. A buy-down is a financing technique where the borrower pays an upfront fee to reduce the interest rate for a specified period, often resulting in lower monthly payments during that time. Once the buy-down period ends, the mortgage returns to the original, higher interest rate, leading to an increase in the monthly payment amount.

During the buy-down period, the lower rate means that the borrower enjoys reduced payments, which can help with budget management at the start of the mortgage. However, it's essential to understand that this temporary relief is designed to phase out, and once the agreed period is over, the payment reverts to the level associated with the full loan amount at the standard interest rate. Consequently, borrowers often face higher payments once the buy-down period is no longer in effect. This increase reflects the return to the loan’s original terms, which were adjusted during the buy-down phase.