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).
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.
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.
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 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.
Potential Downsides of Balloon Mortgages for Homebuyers Foreclosure can result in the loss of the home, emotional distress, and impact the borrower's credit negatively, generally for seven years. The first balloon mortgage payments primarily cover the interest rather than the principal.
The Bottom Line. If you're looking to buy a modular home or movable piece of equipment, taking out a chattel mortgage could be right for you. These loans come with shorter terms and much lower processing fees. However, the interest rate will be higher than what you'd receive on a conventional mortgage.
Firstly, measure the dimensions of the balloon, such as its radius or diameter. The volume of a balloon can be approximated as that of a sphere, so you can use the formula for the volume of a sphere to calculate it. The formula is V = (4/3)πr³, where V represents the volume and r denotes the radius.