Balloon mortgages are short-term loans that act similarly to a fixed-rate mortgage. The first mortgage under it usually has a term of just five to seven years. A fixed-rate mortgage, on the other hand, usually lasts for around 30 years.

In a balloon mortgage, the final payment is always larger than that of the regular payments. After the scheduled term, the remaining balance is due in full. Typically, a balloon mortgage, regardless whether is the first, second, or third, may have a term of anything between one to twenty-five years.

If you wanted to apply for a balloon mortgage, there are certain steps that you have to understand and go through. To guide you with each, read on the following:

1. Inquire from the financial institution offering the mortgage. Treat the balloon mortgage to be the same as any other mortgage. If you are familiar with the steps in applying for a different kind of loan, the balloon mortgage's steps are basically the same thing. You have to secure the same documents and sign the necessary papers.

2. Always know what the interest rate is. In a balloon mortgage, the interest rate is almost always fixed for a certain period. For the most part, it may carry a lower interest for the first few years of the loan. It all depends upon the provider. It is your responsibility to know how much interest you have to pay.

3. Know when the balance becomes due. As stated earlier, in a balloon mortgage, the balance becomes due after a certain period. You pay part of the amount in equal installments for the term specified. When the term is up, you are obliged to pay the entire balance. Knowing when you have to pay for it makes you prepared and enables you to plan ahead.

4. Know if there is an option to refinance when the due date comes. So you won't need to pay the balance in one big sum, ask the loaning institution if they are willing to refinance the amount. This is a good option for people who may not have a large amount of money at once sufficient to cover the balance.

5. Know if there is a possibility to lose the refinance option. Some mortgage companies give out a refinance option to customers but for a set of conditions. They may require mortgagers to be prompt in payment. The refinance option can help a lot. You have to know the guidelines and remember it.

6. Know if you have to qualify for the refinancing loan. Refinancing has become a privilege, and not a right, for people under a balloon mortgage. Some mortgaging intuitions would reassess your ability to pay. Hence, you need to apply for the refinancing loan. The financing institution may require you to pass and sign documents again.

7. Assess your ability to pay. With all of these said, you have to check your financial standing and capability. With the interest rate, the regular payment, and the refinancing option, honestly determine if you can afford a balloon mortgage, or if getting one is feasible. A wrong decision will have big effects on your financial status.

8. Analyze all the possible worst-case scenarios. Before heading on to a balloon mortgage, or any mortgage for that matter, you have to be prepared for the unexpected things. Examples could be losing your job, an income option, or similar situations. The over-all economical condition of the country may need to be analyzed as well.

9. Consult with an impartial expert. Some financing experts and mortgage gurus are more than willing to give solicited advice to people who need it. Some even do it for free. Try to seek the people who can help you the most. And learn from them.

10. File for the loan. After everything was set and the small things are straightened, you should be able to confidently sign the application form and proceed with it. Just make sure that every detail is well taken cared of. That is the most important thing here.

These are the 10 things you should do when applying for a balloon mortgage. Each step is equally important than the others. All of it are listed so that you will be guided accordingly, as well as determine, if a balloon mortgage is right for you or not.