With mortgage rates going up for months now more and more people are thinking about refinancing existing mortgages. But there are many things to put into consideration when it comes to refinancing a mortgage. This article covers the basics you will need to know about.
Reasons to consider refinancing:
Getting a better interest rate on your mortgage. Locking in a specific mortgage rate Lowering monthly payments by combining several credit card loans into a mortgage Using the available equity in a home to finance renovations Get cash out to buy a new car
But refinancing is a little more than just walking into a bank asking for a loan. There are several things to look at when it comes to refinancing.
Things to consider when refinancing:
How much does it cost? There are specific fees and expenses associated with refinancing. For example, there could be early termination fees if you are in a fixed interest arrangement and your state does not have consumer friendly laws that protect you from these fees. There could also be an application fee on the new loan. Depending on the ration of mortgage amount and available equity you could be required to pay for PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) - which only protects the lender, not yourself. Other fees could apply. Often all fees are combined and called "closing cost". You need to work out whether these costs make it worth to refinance or if it is better to pay a little higher interest rates. Make sure you find out how long it will take you to really start saving money and until when you just pay for the closing cost. If you are planning to sell your house in the near future, refinancing may not be the right option for you at this point.
An independent mortgage broker can often get you better rates from different lenders. These mortgage brokers work with the lenders and have access to different programs and options. Your house bank might not offer that much flexibility, but might be easier to deal with because they know you for a long time.
As with all financial things in life