Some of these mortgages combined with names such as ARM 2 / 28 or 3 / 27: The first number is the number of years during which applies a fixed rate and the second number refers to the number of years during which apply an adjustable rate. Another type of adjustable rate mortgages are known as combined 5 / 1 ARM or 3 / 1: the first number corresponds to the number of years during which applies a fixed rate and the second number refers to the frequency of changes or rate adjustments. For example, in an adjustable rate mortgage combined (hybrid) or ARM 3 / 1 will apply a fixed interest rate for three years and thereafter the rate will adjust annually. ARM (Adjustable Rate Mortgages, ARMs). is a great source of information. This is a mortgage that is applied to a variable interest rate from the start, which means that the amount of your monthly payments will change over time. Fixed-Rate Mortgage (Fixed Rate Mortgages): This is a mortgage that is granted a fixed rate for the duration of the loan, the only change that could affect the amount of your payments would result from changes in the amounts in respect taxes and insurance in the event that you have established an escrow account with the lender. If you have an adjustable rate mortgage with a combined or a variable or adjustable rate and amounts of payments month will increase – and is challenged by higher payments, see if you can make a refinancing by taking a fixed rate loan. . Katz, New York City: the source for more info.