How does a balloon mortgage work?

A balloon mortgage operates by featuring a structure where the borrower makes smaller, regular payments for a specified initial period. This initial period typically consists of lower payments that may cover only the interest or a portion of the principal, allowing borrowers to manage cash flow more easily at the outset. However, at the end of this initial term, the mortgage requires the borrower to pay a significantly larger final payment, known as the "balloon payment." This final payment consists of the outstanding balance of the loan, often resulting in a substantial amount due all at once.

This structure can be advantageous for borrowers who anticipate changes in their financial situation, such as expecting to sell the property or refinance the loan before the balloon payment is due. It allows them to benefit from lower payments in the earlier years, but it also poses a risk if they are unable to refinance or sell the property in time to meet that large final payment.

The other choices describe characteristics that do not align with the balloon mortgage's foundational principles. Fixed payments throughout the loan term would typically characterize a standard fixed-rate mortgage rather than a balloon mortgage. Variable interest rates that change monthly are indicative of an adjustable-rate mortgage. Lastly, a mortgage that requires payments only at maturity would not reflect the essential feature of