Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Should I Refinance My Home Mortgage?

There are many things to consider when deciding to refinance your home. It is important to understand that refinancing is not right for everyone. You should consider the following when deciding whether to refinance your home mortgage.
1. How long do you plan to live in your current house? If it is your forever house, a home mortgage refinancing makes a lot more sense then if you only plan to live there for a couple of years.
2. How Much Lower Will the Interest Be? If you are currently paying a very high interest rate and you have the opportunity to lower it significantly, that makes a lot more sense then if you are able to lower it by a fraction of a percent. Most experts think your interest rate on a fixed loan needs to be lower by about a point and a half to 2 points to make refinancing worthwhile. It depends; you need to really look at your total costs before making a decision.
3. Do You Have an Adjustable Rate Mortgage? For people with adjustable rate mortgages, refinancing your home mortgage may be a secure way to predictable and even a lower monthly payment. You may be able to save thousands of dollars over the life of your loan by refinancing and locking in a good rate. 30 year fixed rates for home mortgages are extremely low right now and pursuing this option is probably in your best interest.
4. What are the Closing Costs Associated With the Refinanced Loan? You need to consider the closing costs and any applicable fees and taxes in determining whether you are actually saving money over the life of your loan.
5. Are You Paying Private Insurance on Your Mortgage? For some people, who purchased their homes with less than a 20% down payment, their lender may have required them to pay PMI or private mortgage insurance. If the equity in your home has increased or you have paid down your mortgage significantly, you may be able to eliminate this expense by refinancing. In which case, this consideration should be included in your expense calculus for determining whether a home mortgage refinancing is right for you.
6. How Much Equity Do You Have in Your Home? In other words is your home a valuable asset or is it underwater and you are unable to afford it. You may also be able to take cash out of your home through a home equity loan or a cash-out refinancing. Consider the pros and cons of each of these options before choosing either.

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