A balloon mortgage allows you to enjoy low monthly payments for several years — with a big catch. Learn everything you need to know about balloon notes in mortgage loans.Find out how they work and how they can affect your finances. Balloon mortgages are short-term home loans that allow borrowers to make small monthly payments — or no payments at all — for several years. A balloon payment is a large payment due at the end of a mortgage. A balloon payment mortgage is a type of balloon loan that features relatively low monthly payments for a set period, typically 5 to 7 years. A balloon mortgage is one of many loan types you can get to buy a home. Balloon loans are short-term loans that provide the benefit of low monthly payments.