Interest only is fine, as long as you are paying the full interest.
The problem occurred with the minimum payment, or "Option Loans". Washington Mutual was doing these for years. It gives 4 options: 1) pay the absolute minimum, at a teaser rate. So 200K at 5% = $833/month. But the teaser rate may allow you to pay $500 per month. This is called "Negative Amortization". The bankers/brokers sell it to you as a "deferred interest" that you can pay down later when you make more money.
THese were great loans for those buying homes in their last years of residency, where the income would jump from $30k per yr to $200k per yr.
I do NOT advise these loans.
Interest only where you pay just the fully calculated interest is great for a home that you will be out of in 3 yrs. However, there is a problem in our country with this:
Unless you are putting 10% down, less banks are allowing interest only on the 0 down, or 80-20 loans. That's where the problems are occuring.
I am on a 3/1 interest only for my Ann Arbor home. Chicago is a 5/1 fully amortized. In the past, I was on an Option arm for Miami condo - and it was an investment, so I could adjust based on rent, etc.
I advise Interest only for 3-5 yr if you are short term in house, and have 10% down. Otherwise, the market is leaning towards 30yr fixed. You can get that with a intro interest only as well.
The only other item I am strongly opposed to is the 15yr fixed. Unless you are independantly wealthy, retirment ready, or rent exceeds mortgage, tax, insurance, you should never be on 15yr money.
Thanks
Can anyone elaborate on the pros/cons about interest only loans? Thanks in advance.