A FOR SALE sign is displayed outside a property on Madison Ave. in Toronto.
Interest-only mortgages were much more strictly regulated after the financial crisis, but now higher-income borrowers are turning to them as home prices stay high.
  • Some Americans who are high earners, but not rich yet are opting for non-traditional mortgages. 
  • Interest-only mortgages offer lower monthly payments, at least initially, but can be risky.
  • They're best suited for buyers of higher-end property who invest their money elsewhere. 

With home prices and mortgage rates sky high, potential homeowners — even those with deep pockets — are looking for ways to ease the cost burden.