Fixed rate mortgages: The cost of interest rate risk aversion

Abstract

Mortgages play a significant role in the US economy. Americans predominantly use fixed-rate mortgages (FRMs) to avoid interest rate risk, but the related risk aversion cost has not been analyzed yet. This paper fills the gap by investigating the cost of choosing FRMs over adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs). We find that ex post, FRM borrowers made 12% – 23% higher payments to avoid 0.66% – 1.62% potential ARM payment shocks. Consequently, we introduce and analyze a payment-saving strategy to absorb ARM payment shocks. Emerging data show that ARM borrowers are less financially constrained and less of a concern to policymakers.