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San Bernardino buyers are price-sensitive. An ARM's lower initial rate can mean real savings each month.
Bankrate's latest lender survey shows 30-year fixed rates at 6.27%. ARM start rates typically run lower. Rates vary by borrower profile and market conditions.
6.27% (Bankrate)
30-Yr Fixed Benchmark
620
Min Credit Score
45%
Max DTI
3–5%
Min Down Payment
5, 7, or 10 Years
Common Fixed Periods
Most conventional ARMs require a 620 credit score minimum. Stronger scores get better initial rates.
Lenders want your debt-to-income ratio under 45%. Show stable income and you're in good shape.
We work with 200+ wholesale lenders. Not every one offers ARMs, and rates vary widely between them.
Portfolio ARM lenders have more flexible guidelines. They're worth shopping if your file has any wrinkles.
A 5/1 ARM fixes your rate for five years, then adjusts annually. A 7/1 ARM gives you seven years fixed.
If you plan to sell or refinance within seven years, paying a fixed-rate premium makes little sense.
Fixed-rate loans win on certainty. ARMs win on cost — at least early on.
The gap between ARM and fixed rates matters most. Wider gaps favor ARMs. Narrow gaps favor fixed.
San Bernardino has a high share of first-time and move-up buyers watching monthly payments closely.
Inland Empire properties often see active refinance cycles. An ARM can bridge to a future refi smartly.
Your payment is fixed during the initial period. After that, it adjusts with the market index.
Most ARMs adjust once per year after the fixed period. Your loan docs spell out the exact schedule.
Yes. Most ARMs have periodic and lifetime caps. They limit how high your rate can go at each adjustment.
It can be. If you hold past the fixed period without refinancing, your rate exposure grows significantly.
Yes — and many San Bernardino borrowers do exactly that. Timing depends on rates when you're ready.
They can. Investors with short hold strategies often benefit from the lower initial ARM payment.
Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) in San Bernardino