Such lump sum payment are called “balloon payments” in the industry and if secured with a Deed of Trust, California law imposes strict requirements on the lender who plans to receive a balloon payment on a California note and enforce lack of payment by foreclosure on the Deed of Trust.
Most mortgage lenders don't offer balloon mortgages. They're best for borrowers with unusual credit and financial circumstances. Besides a balloon mortgage, there are other ways to get a lower monthly mortgage payment, including an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) or refinancing.
The term of a balloon mortgage is usually short (e.g., 5 years), but the payment amount is amortized over a longer term (e.g., 30 years). An advantage of these loans is that they often have a lower interest rate, but the final balloon payment is substantial.
Balloon mortgages are short-term loans that begin with a series of fixed payments and end with a final, lump-sum payment. That one-time payment is called a balloon payment because it's often at least twice as much as the previous ones, leaving many borrowers with a final bill for tens of thousands of dollars (or more).
If your car is worth more than the balloon payment at the end of the contract, then paying this could leave you better-off in the long run, even if you don't want to keep the car. You could sell the car immediately, leaving you with a surplus amount.
Cons There's more risk you'll default. It's harder to get refinancing. If you're only paying interest, you're not building home equity.
The downside of balloon payments Although a balloon-payment option can make your monthly payments more affordable, you're taking on extra debt to buy an asset that is depreciating – the value of your vehicle may end up less than the amount still owed.
The most significant risk of a balloon mortgage is foreclosure if the borrower can't make the balloon payment at the end of the term. Foreclosure can result in the loss of the home, emotional distress, and impact the borrower's credit negatively, generally for seven years.