Should You Refinance?There are several reasons that might make someone consider refinancing their existing mortgage. One would be to get a lower interest rate than what they currently have, thereby reducing monthly payments and lowering the overall cost of the mortgage. Another is to shorten the length of the loan, which can save quite a bit in interest payments. Thirdly, someone may have other debts that they wish to pay off, and refinancing may provide them a means of consolidating that debt into one overall lower payment. A lower interest rate isn't the only thing that should be taken into account when thinking about refinancing. There are costs and fees associated with refinancing your mortgage. The bank will charge fees, there will be costs for a new inspection and a new appraisal, title search, and so on. The process that is gone through is very much like the process that one goes through on getting a first mortgage. It requires a new application with a new credit check, survey, and sometimes an appraisal. As it is with a first mortgage, this can be a long and costly process. In general, it makes sense to refinance if the interest rate on the new loan is at least two percentage points lower than that of the current loan, although this is not always the case. Some things that need to be taken into consideration are the total cost of the refinancing, the total monthly savings, and how long you plan to stay in your house after you refinance. You can calculate how long it will take you to break even on refinancing costs by dividing the total cost of the refinance by the monthly amount you will be saving. For example, if the cost is $2,500, and you reduce your monthly payments by $100, then it will take 25 months to start seeing the savings from the reduced mortgage rate. If you plan on staying in your house longer than this, then it may just make sense for you. Another reason that someone might consider refinancing is if they are trying to consolidate debt. In such cases, there is also the tax impact that one should look at. Many loan types are not tax deductible, whereas mortgage loans are. Therefore for that reason alone it may be a good idea to consolidate outstanding credit card debt, student loans, car loans, as well as others. Some people may not have a choice about refinancing, it is a must for them. This happens in cases where they have a loan with a balloon payment coming up and no conversion option. In instances like this the best bet is to refinance the mortgage a few months before the balloon payment is due. If you do decide that the costs associated with doing a refinance outweigh the benefits, you should ask your bank or financial institution if you can get some of the terms that you want by agreeing to a modification of your current loan. However you choose to go, remember that it always makes sense to consult with a mortgage professional before making your move. This can end up saving you both time and money. You should also do research before making a decision. Spend some time on the web familiarizing yourself with what you are getting yourself into. Take the time to read up on and understand what your options are. More on Mortgage Refinancing. Michael VanDeMar
MORE RESOURCES updated Fri. April / 19 / 2024 VA Loans: What They Are And How To Qualify Bankrate.com 15-Year Mortgage Refinance Rates: Compare Current Rates Business Insider How to Refinance Your Mortgage NerdWallet 30-Year Mortgage Refinance Rates Business Insider Loan Modification Vs. Refinance Bankrate.com Mortgage Interest Rates Today, April 19, 2024 | High Rates Make for a Challenging Homebuying Season Business Insider Average Mortgage Interest Rates: Mortgage Rates by Credit Score, Year, and Loan Type Business Insider Types of Mortgage Refinance Options Bankrate.com How To Get The Best Refinance Rate Bankrate.com How To Get A Home Equity Loan With Bad Credit Bankrate.com Mortgage Interest Rates Today, April 16, 2024 | Rates Remain Elevated After Last Week's Spike Business Insider The best mortgage lenders for refinancing in April 2024 CNN Underscored Mortgage Interest Rates Today, April 15, 2024 | Rates Are High, But They Still Could Drop This Year Business Insider With property values strong in 2023, many homeowners tapped home equity lines of credit, pushing total HELOC ... Miami Herald Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders of April 2024 Business Insider Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders In 2024 Bankrate.com 280 Park Ave.'s owners refinance mortgage and pay down debt Crain's New York Business How To Refinance A Rental House Bankrate.com Current mortgage refinance rates CNN Underscored Bain Proposes Japan's Kioxia IPO to Clear $5.8 Billion Loan Refinance U.S. News & World Report Mortgage Refinance Rates: Compare Current Rates Business Insider MBA: Mortgage Applications Increased in Weekly Survey Calculated Risk When to Consider Refinancing Your Mortgage Business Insider Mortgage Rates Chart | Historical and Current Rate Trends The Mortgage Reports 30-year refinance rates: What to know CNN Underscored Mortgage Rate Forecast April 2024 Bankrate.com Refinance Requirements: What You Need to Refinance Your Home in 2024 The Mortgage Reports Mortgage Rate History: 1970s to 2024 Bankrate.com Current 15-year refinance rates — and lenders that offer them CNN Underscored How Soon Can You Refinance a Mortgage? NerdWallet Conventional Refinance Rates and Guidelines for 2024 The Mortgage Reports How To Refinance An Underwater Mortgage Bankrate.com Should You Refinance Your Mortgage In 2024? Bankrate.com Mortgage Interest Rates Today, April 14, 2024 | Will Rates Still Go Down This Year? Business Insider Refinancing a Home Equity Loan (2024 Guide) MarketWatch Will Mortgage Rates Go Down in 2024? What Homebuyers Should Expect Business Insider When to Refinance Mortgage: Is it Time? - Buy Side from WSJ The Wall Street Journal Best Refinance Lenders of April 2024: Refinance Your Mortgage The Motley Fool Pros and Cons of a Cash-Out Refinance Bankrate.com Should I Refinance My Mortgage Now? When to Refinance As Rates Drop Business Insider What Credit Score Do I Need To Refinance? Bankrate.com Office of Research blog: A look at cash-out refinance mortgages and their borrowers between 2013 to 2023 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Should You Refinance Halfway Through Your Mortgage? Bankrate.com
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