How to use the Understanding Amortization
An Amortization Schedule shows you exactly how every loan payment is split between paying off the loan balance (principal) and paying the bank's fee (interest).
📉 Interest Front-Loading
In the early years of a loan, most of your payment goes toward interest. This is why you build equity slowly at first.
🚀 Payoff Acceleration
In the later years, the balance flips. Most of your payment goes to principal, paying off the loan much faster.
The Formula
How Extra Payments Help
- One extra payment a year: Can shorten a 30-year mortgage by 4-5 years.
- Bi-weekly payments: Results in 26 half-payments (13 full payments) per year, accelerating payoff painlessy.
🆚 Amortization vs. Simple Interest
📚 Key Terminology
Interest: The cost of borrowing money, usually expressed as a percentage.
Term: The length of time you have to repay the loan.
Equity: The portion of the property that you truly own (Value - Loan Balance).