Fixed vs. adjustable-rate mortgages and attention

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyze the attention of households to fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgage loans depending on the evolution of interest rates. We hypothesize that a high level of general interest rates would lead to a higher attention to adjustable-rate mortgages. Using Google Trends tool to capture this attention, we demonstrate using VAR models that upsurges in interest rates precede a larger attention on Google searches related to adjustable-rate mortgages, but not for fixed-rate mortgages.