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 Wed. February / 05 / 2025 Mortgage and refinance rates today, February 2, 2025: Lowest 30-year rate since mid-December Yahoo Finance Mortgage and refinance rates today, February 3, 2025: Rates could stay at this level for a while Yahoo Finance Today's Refinance Rates by State – Feb. 4, 2025 Investopedia Today's Mortgage Rates | What Do Tariffs Mean for Rates? Business Insider MetLife Building nears $1.5B refinancing Crain's New York Business Mortgage and refinance rates today, February 1, 2025: The 30-year rate decreases for a full week Yahoo Finance Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 21, 2024: Better time to buy than refinance Yahoo Finance How to Refinance Your Mortgage NerdWallet Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders of February 2025 Business Insider Should I refinance my mortgage in 2025? Bankrate.com Today's Mortgage Rates | Rates Are Down. How Long Will This Last? Business Insider Best mortgage refinance lenders of February 2025 Yahoo Finance Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 31, 2025: How can you snag a rate under 7%? Yahoo Finance Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 27, 2025: This week's Fed meeting could cause rates to shift Yahoo Finance Will Mortgage Rates Go Down In January? Bankrate.com Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 22, 2025: High rates could be here to stay Yahoo Finance Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 19, 2025: How to get a good deal when rates are high Yahoo Finance Will Mortgage Rates Go Down in 2025? Ask Again Later. U.S News & World Report Money Will Interest Rates Go Down in February? | Predictions 2025 The Mortgage Reports Today's Mortgage Rates | Rates Down, Even as Inflation Ticks Up Business Insider Mortgage Rate History: 1970s To 2025 Bankrate.com Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 17, 2025: Don't be alarmed by this week's high rates Yahoo Finance Mortgage Rates This Week NerdWallet Today's Mortgage Rates, January 30, 2025 | Rates Tick Down As Fed Eyes Elevated Inflation Business Insider Today's Mortgage Rates | Rates Start the Month a Bit Lower Business Insider Best Virginia Mortgage Lenders of 2025 U.S News & World Report Money Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 12, 2025: How can you get a good deal in a high-rate environment? Yahoo Finance Today's Mortgage Rates | Is This as Low as Mortgage Rates Will Go? Business Insider Today's Refinance Rates by State – Jan. 29, 2025 Investopedia Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 13, 2025: Inflation could push rates higher Yahoo Finance When Is It Worth It to Refinance Your Mortgage? | 2025 The Mortgage Reports 15-Year Mortgage Refinance Rates: Compare Current Rates Business Insider Home Equity Loan Or HELOC Vs. Cash-Out Refinance Bankrate.com Today's Refinance Rates by State – Jan. 28, 2025 Investopedia 2025 Mortgage Rate Predictions: Will Rates Fall? The Mortgage Reports How to Decide If a Mortgage Refinance Is Right for You U.S News & World Report Money How to get the best refinance rate on your mortgage Bankrate.com Refinance Rates Today January 30, 2025: Trends and Insights Norada Real Estate Investments FHA Streamline Refinance | Rates & Requirements for 2025 The Mortgage Reports Mortgage and refinance rates today, December 31, 2024: Rates decrease across the board Yahoo Finance Today's Refinance Rates by State – Dec. 18, 2024 Investopedia Mortgage and refinance rates today, December 14, 2024: Economic factors drive rates back up Yahoo Finance Mortgage Refinance Rates Are Down, But Should You Refi to a 30-Year, 20-Year, or 15-Year Mortgage? Investopedia Mortgage Refinance Rates Climb to Two-Month High Investopedia Mortgage Refinance Rates Climb to New 2-Month High Investopedia Rise in rejected mortgage refinance applications nationwide ABC 10 News San Diego KGTV Mortgage Refinance Rates January 25, 2025: A Closer Look Norada Real Estate Investments Mortgage Refinance Rates Drop Back Investopedia
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