Why Refinance Back into a 30-Year Loan?One of the biggest reasons homeowners refinance their mortgage is to obtain a lower interest rate and lower monthly payments. By refinancing, the borrower pays off their existing mortgage and replaces it with a new one. This can often be accomplished with a no-points no-fees loan program, which essentially means at "no cost" to the borrower. In the no-points no-fees scenario, the mortgage consultant uses rebate monies paid by the lender to pay off non-recurring closing costs for the borrower. These are "one time" fees such as escrow or attorney fees, title insurance, document preparation, tax service, flood certification, processing and underwriting fees, etc. The borrower is still responsible for recurring fees such as interim insurance, property taxes or insurance policy payments. Refinancing typically occurs when mortgage interest rates drop significantly, but borrowers with recently improved credit scores (from paying off credit card debt, making mortgage payments on time, etc.) are often candidates for better interest rates as well. If you haven't checked your credit score in a while, it's a good time to call a mortgage consultant. The question most asked is, "But why should I go back into a 30-year loan?" There are two schools of thought on this subject, and the mortgage consultant should work hand-in-hand with the borrower's financial planner to determine what works best for their mutual client. One option is to take the route of the "same payment" refinance, and actually pay off the loan faster and save money on interest fees in the long-run. If refinancing results in a lower monthly payment, the borrower can still continue making the same payment they made in the original loan, and the extra money will be applied to the principal balance. For example: Let's say you have 25 years remaining in your current loan, and you refinance back to a 30-year loan with a slightly lower interest rate, resulting in a payment reduction of $200 per month. (Note: This is just an example. The actual amount could vary.) You could then take that extra $200 per month and apply it toward the principal on the new loan. At this rate, the loan will be paid off in 22 years and 4 months, which is 2 years and 8 months less than the original loan. On the other hand, if the borrower's financial planner is a proponent of best-selling author and investment guru Douglas Andrew's philosophies (see Missed Fortune), he or she may suggest investing the extra money in a side-fund that could earn a better rate of return and grow to the amount of the mortgage (and beyond) in even less time. This method provides excellent liquidity, but having more direct access to this money may be too tempting for some homeowners. Regardless of the reason for the refinance, the mortgage consultant will need to know what the existing loan scenario entails, review the homeowner's long-term goals, and provide a comprehensive spreadsheet that compares and contrasts the various loan programs available. Bear in mind, refinancing to obtain a lower interest payment could also result in a lower deduction at tax time. The homeowner's mortgage consultant and financial planner should work hand-in-hand with their mutual client's best interest in mind. Mical Johnson is affiliate with Rock Financial. For a free copy of The Certified Guide to Credit Scoring contact Mr. Johnson at http://www.TampaMortgageGuy.com
MORE RESOURCES updated Tue. April / 23 / 2024 Should You Refinance Halfway Through Your Mortgage? Bankrate.com 10-year refinance rates: What to know about the current market CNN Underscored Only Half Of Black Seniors Approved For Home Repair Or Refinance Loans To Age In Place Block Club Chicago 15-Year Mortgage Refinance Rates: Compare Current Rates Business Insider How to Refinance Your Mortgage NerdWallet Will Interest Rates Go Down in May 2024? | Mortgage Rates Forecast The Mortgage Reports Average Mortgage Interest Rates: Mortgage Rates by Credit Score, Year, and Loan Type Business Insider Mortgage Rates This Week NerdWallet Loan Modification Vs. Refinance Bankrate.com 30-Year Mortgage Refinance Rates Business Insider Mortgage Interest Rates Today, April 22, 2024 | The Still-Hot Economy is Keeping Rates High Business Insider Mortgage Interest Rates Today, April 21, 2024 | Rates Remain Near 7% Business Insider Mortgage Interest Rates Today, April 19, 2024 | High Rates Make for a Challenging Homebuying Season Business Insider The best mortgage lenders for refinancing in April 2024 CNN Underscored How To Choose The Right Kind Of Refinance For You Bankrate.com Mortgage Interest Rates Today, April 20, 2024 | Rates Remain Elevated, but They Could Fall Later This Year Business Insider Should You Refinance Your Mortgage In 2024? Bankrate.com How To Refinance A Rental House Bankrate.com Mortgage Refinance Rates: Compare Current Rates Business Insider Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders In 2024 Bankrate.com Current mortgage refinance rates CNN Underscored Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders of April 2024 Business Insider How To Get A Home Equity Loan With Bad Credit Bankrate.com When to Consider Refinancing Your Mortgage Business Insider Mortgage Rates Chart | Historical and Current Rate Trends The Mortgage Reports Refinance Requirements: What You Need to Refinance Your Home in 2024 The Mortgage Reports Mortgage Rate Forecast February 2024 Bankrate.com How Soon Can You Refinance a Mortgage? NerdWallet Refinancing a Home Equity Loan (2024 Guide) MarketWatch Mortgage Rate History: 1970s to 2023 Bankrate.com 30-year refinance rates: What to know CNN Underscored Current 15-year refinance rates — and lenders that offer them CNN Underscored Best Refinance Lenders of April 2024: Refinance Your Mortgage The Motley Fool When to Refinance Mortgage: Is it Time? - Buy Side from WSJ The Wall Street Journal With property values strong in 2023, many homeowners tapped home equity lines of credit, pushing total HELOC ... Miami Herald 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 The Best Mortgage Refinance Rates in Canada NerdWallet Will Mortgage Rates Go Down in 2024? What Homebuyers Should Expect Business Insider Mortgage Interest Rates Today, April 16, 2024 | Rates Remain Elevated After Last Week's Spike Business Insider
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