What is a "subprime mortgage," and would a subprime borrower be likely to pay a higher or a lower interest rate than a borrower with a better credit history?

Answer: A subprime mortgage is a type of home loan issued to borrowers with low credit scores (often below 600) who wouldn't qualify for conventional mortgages. They usually come with much higher interest rates and down payments than conventional options. Taking out a subprime mortgage is rarely a good idea.