The rate of interest is a key consideration when arranging your mortgage. The interest is the payment to the lender for the use of the mortgage money.

The interest rate can be fixed (where the rate remains constant for the term) or floating (where the rate changes at regular intervals). Short term or convertible terms usually have lower interest rates and can be used to a borrower's advantage in an unstable market. These mortgages allow you to ride out a fluctuating or falling rate market until rates reach a level where you wish to "lock-in" to a longer term. On the other hand, long term rates offer stability and eliminate the need to monitor rates daily.