If you want to buy a home that you're going to stay in for five years or less, you have to consider a 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM).

Yes, we're recommending an adjustable-rate mortgage, in spite of the bad press they've had recently.

But we aren't suggesting exotic subprime ARMs with rates that explode to unaffordable heights. We're talking about traditional ARMs for people with good credit who want to take advantage of a low rate for the short term.

A 5/1 ARM has a low introductory rate for the first five years. After that, most adjust up or down by 2% a year for the remaining 25-year term. Most lifetime increases are capped at 6%, but you wouldn't want to hold it that long.

Right now, many traditional 5/1 ARMs are available for 5.25% to 5.5% with fees of less than $1,000. That's about a percentage point less than the average 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage.

That one-point spread is what makes this ARM so attractive at the moment. In March, the 5/1 ARM actually cost more than the 30-year fixed, and in April, the two rates were about even. But now, there's a good reason to see what an ARM can do for you.

Not only will you save $64 a month on every $100,000 you borrow versus a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage, you'll also save tens of thousands of dollars in interest payments while you're living there. That's a loan worth looking into.

The 5/1 ARM offers great savings, so if you're buying a starter home, expect to be transferred in a few years or just plan to move, this is the loan for you.

You can compare rates in your area using our extensive mortgage rate tables.

And our in-depth report will give you a complete look at what's happening with mortgage rates.

Whether you're buying a home or refinancing an existing mortgage, we have a mortgage calculator that can help you make the right decisions.