The Idaho Association of Mortgage Brokers (IAMB) looks after mortgage activities in Idaho, and is an affiliate of the National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB). The basic function of the IAMB is to provide professional training and education to all the members and those who want to become mortgage lenders in Idaho.

The Idaho Department of Finance regulates and supervises the Idaho Residential Mortgage Practices Act, which came into operation in August 1996. It is not mandatory for mortgage lenders holding an Idaho Mortgage Broker license to maintain a physical location in the state. However, as a precondition, individuals negotiating even one transaction are required to have a Mortgage Brokers license in Idaho.

Aspirants for Mortgage brokership are required to pay a $350 applicant fee, and provide a continuous surety bond of $25000. As per the qualifying conditions, the candidates are also required to have a minimum of three years experience preferably in residential mortgage brokering or mortgage lending.

Types of Mortgages in Idaho

Basically, there are three types of mortgages in Idaho. These are: Fixed Term Mortgage, Adjustable Rate Mortgage, and Balloon Mortgage.

A Fixed Term mortgage, as the name suggests, has a fixed term (for example 15 to 30 years) and a fixed interest rate. The interest rate and the term are fixed as and when the mortgage begins. The amount of the principal to be paid on a monthly basis and the interest rate do not change during the term of the mortgage, which means a lot of stability for the homebuyer.

An Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) has its interest component highly flexible. The rate goes up and down depending upon the prevailing interest rate levels. The monthly amount for the principal and interest also goes up and down depending upon the change in rates.

A homebuyer could avail of both types of mortgages for the duration of his loan. There are a wide variety of ARMs available in the market with the most common ones being annual or every two years.

A Balloon Mortgage is similar in nature to a fixed rate mortgage. Here, the payments are made in equal installments for the duration of the loan. After the duration of the loan is over, the principal is required to be paid in full or in a "balloon" payment. The loan can also be refinanced at the end of the initial term.

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