Mortgage Prepayment Penalties - Just Say NoOne of the most common terms found in a new home loan is a prepayment penalty. This type of penalty says that if the borrower pays off the loan early, commonly during the first five years of the loan, then the borrower will be responsible for paying an additional amount of money, typically about six months interest on 80% of the mortgage balance. Sub-prime market loans will typically carry prepayment penalties more than standard mortgage loans. You may plan on keeping the house for the entire duration of the prepayment penalty, and be tempted not to worry about it much. But sometimes life circumstances change, so it's wise to avoid any type of prepayment penalty if you can. A typical prepayment penalty might equal five months worth of monthly loan payments, so it's worth checking on. Of course, you should always ask (before you sign) if a new loan has a prepayment penalty. In fact, ask the lending officer to point out to you in the document where a prepayment penalty is discussed. Most items in a loan are subject to negotiation. If you haven't signed loan papers yet, and you find that your loan has a prepayment penalty, you might offer to pay an additional closing point or so to see if it can be removed. The key at this stage is that if you agree to the prepayment penalty, you should try to find ways to reduce either the amount, the term, or both as much as possible. If you already have a loan, you are bound by the terms of the document, unless you can negotiate them. There are perfectly legitimate reasons why you may want to pay off a note early - most often, due either to refinancing or selling the house. You may be able to contact your lender to see if they will waive the prepayment penalty if they are able to provide refinancing. If interest rates have dropped a lot, and you can't get out of the prepayment penalty, it may be worth rolling that amount into a new loan. And of course, try to get the new loan without a prepayment penalty. About The Author Jakob Jelling is the founder of http://www.cashbazar.com. Visit his website for the latest on personal finance, debt elimination, budgeting, credit cards and real estate.
MORE RESOURCES updated Mon. October / 07 / 2024 Column | You don’t have to refinance your mortgage to cut your interest The Washington Post Housing market update: More than 4 million homeowners could refinance their mortgages - Fast Company Mortgage and refinance rates today, October 6, 2024: Rates increase in response to jobs report Yahoo Finance Roundup: Refinance demand / Rouses denied / Tax reform plan Greater Baton Rouge Business Report Today's Refinance Rates by State – Oct. 3, 2024 Investopedia Mortgage Interest Rates Today, October 6, 2024 | Rates up As Big Fed Cuts Become Less Likely Business Insider Mortgage and refinance rates today, October 5, 2024: Rates surpass 6% for the first time in weeks Yahoo Finance These Are the Pros and Cons of a Cash-Out Mortgage Refinance U.S News & World Report Money Mortgage Refinance Rates Hit a 2-Week High Investopedia What are today's mortgage refinance rates? Yahoo Finance Best mortgage refinance lenders of October 2024 Yahoo Finance Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders of October 2024 Business Insider Today's Refinance Rates by State – Sept. 30, 2024 Investopedia Mortgage Interest Rates Today, October 4, 2024 | Rates Up Following Strong Jobs Report Business Insider Is Now the Right Time to Refinance Your Mortgage? Investopedia Refinance Rates Today: Compare Mortgage Refinance Offers Business Insider Will Mortgage Rates Fall More In October? Bankrate.com 15-Year Mortgage Refinance Rates: Compare Current Rates Business Insider Mortgage Refinance In Canada Forbes Should You Refinance Your Mortgage In 2024? Bankrate.com Should You Refinance Your Mortgage After the Fed’s Interest Rate Cut? The New York Times Mortgage Interest Rates Today, October 5, 2024 | Rates Tick up Near 6% in Response to Labor Market Strength Business Insider Mortgage Interest Rates Today, October 1, 2024 | Rates Fell Far in September. Will They Drop This Month Too? Business Insider Mortgage Interest Rates Today, October 2, 2024 | Rates Hold Under 6% as Markets Wait for Fresh Jobs Data Business Insider Mortgage Refinance Rates Drop Back Investopedia Mortgage Refinance Rates Hold Near 19-Month Low Investopedia Mortgage Refinance Rates Keep Moving Higher Investopedia Today's Refinance Rates by State – Oct. 1, 2024 Investopedia How to Decide If a Mortgage Refinance Is Right for You U.S News & World Report Money Should You Refinance Your Mortgage Now That the Fed Just Cut Rates? Kiplinger's Personal Finance Mortgage Refinance Rates Are Down, But Should You Refi to a 30-, 20-, or 15-Year Mortgage? Investopedia Mortgage Interest Rates Today, September 30, 2024 | Rates Are Low. Will They Go Lower This Year? Business Insider Mortgage Interest Rates Today, October 3, 2024 | Rates Stay Put as Labor Market Continues to Show Strength Business Insider Mortgage Refinance Rates Shoot Up from 19-Month Low Investopedia The Mortgage Refinance Window Finally Cracks Open Bankrate.com What current mortgage refinance rates mean for your situation CNN Underscored Experts urge due diligence before mortgage refinance Webcenter Fairbanks 30-Year Mortgage Refinance Rates Sink to Cheapest Level Since Early 2023 – Sept. 12, 2024 Investopedia Today's Refinance Rates by State – Sept. 19, 2024 Investopedia Mortgage rates are down now that the Fed has started cutting rates. Is it time to consider refinancing? Business Insider Mortgage Refinance Rates Drop for a Third Day Investopedia Mortgage Refinance Rates Drop – Sept. 5, 2024 Investopedia The best mortgage refinancing lenders in October 2024, now that the Fed has lowered rates CNN Underscored 6 times when it makes sense to refinance your mortgage Yahoo Finance Current Mortgage Rates: See How Today's Rates Compare Business Insider Don't get too excited about cheaper mortgages quite yet Business Insider
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