Is a Mortgage Refinance Right for You?
Are you looking to reduce your monthly mortgage payments, get a lower interest rate, convert your home equity into cash, or switch to a fixed-rate loan? Consider refinancing your home loan.
But before you jump into the refinance process, remember that everyone’s financial circumstances are different. Loan balances, interest rates, remaining months on the loan term – they all vary depending on each situation. However, there is one thing that is, and always will be, the same for everyone: math. And it’s only after you and your First Class Mortgage Consultant “do the math” that you should decide whether or not to refinance.
How does refinancing work?
Refinancing is the process of replacing an existing mortgage with a new loan. Typically, people refinance their mortgage to reduce their monthly payments, lower their interest rate, or change their loan program from an adjustable rate mortgage to a fixed-rate mortgage. Additionally, some people need access to cash to fund home renovation projects or paying off various debts and will leverage the equity in their house to obtain a cash-out refinance.
Goals for refinancing:
Lowering your monthly payment: With a lower monthly payment, you are free to put the savings toward other debts and other expenditures or apply those savings towards your monthly mortgage payment and pay off your loan sooner.
Remove private mortgage insurance (PMI). Some homeowners who have enough property appreciation or principal paid off will not be required to pay mortgage insurance which will reduce your total monthly payment.
Reducing the length (term) of your loan. For homeowners who took out a mortgage in the early stages of their career, a 30-year mortgage may have made the most financial sense. But for those who want to pay off their mortgage sooner, reducing the loan term can be an attractive option.
Switching from an adjustable-rate mortgage to a fixed-rate loan. When you have an adjustable-rate mortgage, your payment can adjust up or down as interest rates change. Switching to a fixed-rate loan with reliable and stable monthly payments can give homeowners the security of knowing that their payment will never change.
Using the equity in your home to take out cash. With rising home values, you may have enough equity to take out a cash-out refinance. This money can be used to finance home improvements, pay off debts or to fund large purchases.
Regardless of your goal, the actual process of refinancing works much in the same way as when you applied for your first mortgage: you’ll need to collect financial documents and submit a mortgage refinancing application before you can be approved.
Is Now the Right Time to Refinance?
Ultimately, it’s critical to crunch the numbers to see if refinancing makes sense for you. Our website has a refinance mortgage calculator designed to help you calculate what your new payment would be.
Even if you’ve been unable to refinance in the past, loan programs and rates are always changing. These changes, along with rising home values in many markets, may enable you to reduce your rate or lower your monthly payments.
But you don’t have to go at it alone! Our mortgage consultants are always ready to answer your questions and guide you along the path to a successful refinancing.
