Is it Time to Refinance Your Mortgage?

There are times when it makes sense to refinance your mortgage. It’s important to have a clear financial objective in mind so that you’re more able to choose the most appropriate loan. Ultimately, the decision is up to you to decide when it’s best for you to refinance, based on your individual financial situation.

However, you must also consider the amount of time you plan on being in your home. If you’re only going to be in your home for a few more years, it may make sense not to refinance out of your ARM. If you’re going to be in your home longer than seven years, it might be a smart move to refinance to a fixed-rate mortgage.

Refinance from an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) to a Fixed-Rate

It's important to consider what mortgage rates are doing. Since mid-2004, the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates , it may adjust to a rate that's higher than a fixed-rate mortgage Now might be a good time to consider refinancing to a fixed-rate loan.

Lower Your Monthly Mortgage Payment

A drop of half to three quarters of a percentage point in interest can lower your monthly payment. If you don't refinance, you may be paying too much every month for your loan, and that's never a good financial move. There are a few different ways you can lower your monthly mortgage payment.

First, you can simply refinance to a lower interest rate. A lower rate generally means a lower monthly payment.

Second, you can change the term of your mortgage. For instance, if you have a 15-year mortgage, you can lengthen the term to 30 years. Since the balance of your mortgage is spread out over a longer period of time, your payment is lower. However, if you have a 30-year mortgage and one of your financial goals is long-term savings, you may want to consider shortening your term to 20 or even 15 years. Your payment will be higher, but you will pay much less in interest over the life of the loan, saving you thousands of dollars in the long run.

The third way to lower your payment is to refinance to an interest-only loan. Basically, with an interest-only loan, the minimum amount you are required to pay is the amount of interest for a certain period of time, though you can pay as much principal as you like. But you get the flexibility to pay less if you need or want to divert your money elsewhere, such as contributing to your 401k or saving for your child’s college tuition.

Refinance from a Fixed-Rate Mortgage to an ARM

Again, you need to consider how long you plan on being in your home. Many people move within nine years so it may not make sense to pay a higher interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage when you’re not going to be in the home that long. Doing so may be costing you money. Consider refinancing to an ARM instead — you’ll get a lower rate and lower your monthly mortgage payment.

Consolidating High-Interest Credit Card Debt

The difference between credit card debt and a mortgage can, financially speaking, mean thousands of dollars. Why? Because unlike your mortgage, the interest you pay on a credit card is not tax-deductible and you pay a higher rate than you would on your mortgage. Because of this, credit card debt is often referred to as “bad debt” whereas your mortgage is considered “good debt.” Using your home equity to pay off your high-interest credit card debt can save you money in the long run. Using your home equity, rather than your credit cards, to finance expensive purchases can also be a smart move. Be sure to consult your tax advisor.

Deciding on when to refinance your mortgage will depend on the circumstances of your situation: how long you’ll be in the home, what your financial goals are, whether interest rates are dropping, etc. It’s up to you to decide if it’s right for you.

Refinance Questions & Answers

Sometimes it does not. It depends greatly on your individual situation and what your financial goals are. For instance, you may want to lower your interest rate do you have in your home?

Are you willing to pay points , fees and points if any?

Q. Should I refinance from an adjustable rate to a fixed rate?

Generally, it's a good idea to get the lowest fixed rate possible, but you also have to consider your situation. If you're in the first year of an adjustable rate mortgage , especially if you don’t plan on moving in the next seven years or so.

Q. Are interest rates higher for a cash-out refinance?

The interest rate you pay on a cash-out refinance ratio. Using the equity in your home to pay off other bills can be a smart thing. Consider taking some money out to pay off high-interest credit cards bills, auto loans and any other debts you have that have non-tax-deductible interest. Please consult your tax advisor to find out whether you may be able to deduct the interest on your new loan.

fees, but they may increase the interest rate in return. Lenders can also roll the costs into the amount of your loan. So, because you're not paying costs up front, it's called a "no closing cost" loan. While slightly increasing your mortgage might be acceptable to you, keep in mind that it's not really a cost-free loan.

Q. How long does it take to refinance?

With MyFreeApproval.com, refinancing normally takes between two and four weeks, depending on a few things:

Do you have a recent home appraisal?

Are you in an area that appraisers can get to easily?

Are there plenty of other comparable homes in your neighborhood?

Usually, getting the home appraisal is what slows the process down the most. During refinancing booms, appraisers can be difficult to schedule. Also, having your paperwork ready helps to speed the process along much faster.

Q. How much money will I need to bring to the closing?

A general guideline is that if you have enough appraised value we can (Most of the time) roll in all closing cost so that you will have minimal or no money needed at closing.

Q. How can I reduce my closing costs?

You may be able to eliminate some closing costs. For instance, your lender might be able to reuse your last home appraisal or your credit report if they're recent enough. Another option may be to have your mortgage lender re-certify some documents (appraisal, title, etc.) for less than the cost of getting new ones.