Refinancing Your House - How to Know Whether to Refinance or get a Second MortgageRefinancing your house's mortgage is not the same thing as getting a second mortgage. While both allow you to cash out your home's equity, terms and rates differ between the two types of loans. To know which financing option is best for you, learn each loan's features and pick the one that best meets your needs. Refinancing Your Mortgage Traditional refinancing is basically replacing one mortgage loan with another. Typically, refinancing lowers mortgage payments through lower interest rates or longer loan terms. You can also cash out part or all of your home's equity while refinancing. Refinancing requires paying closing fees. To recoup these costs, you usually need to stay in the house for a couple of years. However, you will save money with better terms than if you choose a second mortgage. Second Mortgage Option Second mortgages, also known as home equity loan, have slightly higher rates than mortgages, but you have less or no closing costs. Second mortgages also only charge interest on the amount you borrow, not the total amount you are approved for. You can take out your equity over the course of several months or years. Terms vary widely between second mortgage lenders, so watch out for balloon payments or repayment fees. If you want tap into your equity to make some home improvements but plan to sell soon, then a second mortgage would be better than refinancing your mortgage. Second mortgages also are a better choice when your current mortgage interest rate is lower than those being offered by refinancing lenders. Factors To Consider When deciding which financing option to choose, consider the purpose of the loan. If you want to reduce monthly payments, then refinance. If you simply want to tap into your home's equity, then apply for a second mortgage. Also, consider how long you want to stay in your house. You can lose money refinancing your mortgage if you don't stay in your home. However, if you sell your home or refinance, you will have to pay off your second mortgage. Remember, only you know which loan best fits your financial needs. To view our recommended sources for refinance mortgage loans online, visit this page: Recommended Refi Mortgage Lenders Online. Carrie Reeder is the owner ABC Loan Guide, an informational website about various types of loans.
MORE RESOURCES updated Tue. April / 23 / 2024 Should You Refinance Halfway Through Your Mortgage? Bankrate.com 15-Year Mortgage Refinance Rates: Compare Current Rates Business Insider Will Interest Rates Go Down in May 2024? | Mortgage Rates Forecast The Mortgage Reports How to Refinance Your Mortgage NerdWallet Average Mortgage Interest Rates: Mortgage Rates by Credit Score, Year, and Loan Type Business Insider Loan Modification Vs. Refinance Bankrate.com Mortgage Interest Rates Today, April 22, 2024 | The Still-Hot Economy is Keeping Rates High Business Insider 30-Year Mortgage Refinance Rates 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 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 When to Consider Refinancing Your Mortgage Business Insider Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders of April 2024 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 Refinancing a Home Equity Loan (2024 Guide) MarketWatch How Soon Can You Refinance a Mortgage? NerdWallet Conventional Refinance Rates and Guidelines for 2024 The Mortgage Reports Mortgage Rate History: 1970s to 2023 Bankrate.com With property values strong in 2023, many homeowners tapped home equity lines of credit, pushing total HELOC ... Miami Herald 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 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 Will Mortgage Rates Go Down in 2024? What Homebuyers Should Expect Business Insider The Sales Pitch for an 8% Mortgage: Buy Now, Refinance Later—for Free The Wall Street Journal Mortgage Interest Rates Today, April 16, 2024 | Rates Remain Elevated After Last Week's Spike Business Insider Mobile Home Refinancing | Loans & Rates 2023 The Mortgage Reports Current mortgage interest rates: Mortgage rates today CNN Underscored CFPB Releases Study of Refinance Mortgage Loans Between 2013 and 2023 Consumer Finance Monitor MBA: Mortgage Applications Increased in Weekly Survey Calculated Risk
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