Refinancing a Mortgage: When is a Good Time?

Refinancing is a process that involves paying off an existing mortgage using funds from a new mortgage. Homeowners often consider refinancing to lower their mortgage costs, for instance, by taking advantage of lower interest rates. However, there are trade-offs to consider, and refinancing may not be the ideal financial move for everyone.

We will delve into the key aspects of refinancing, the factors to consider, and the potential financial goals you may have in mind when deciding whether or not to refinance. Additionally, we will explore the types of refinancing options available, and the steps involved in the refinancing process.

Refinancing a mortgage may seem similar to the process homeowners went through when they obtained their current mortgage. Many of the steps and costs involved in securing a new mortgage are similar to those encountered during the initial mortgage application. To determine if refinancing is a viable option, you should first evaluate your individual situation.

Loan Type

Purchase Refinance with Cash out Refinance

State

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District Of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

FICO Score

Superior (780-850) Exceptional (760-779) Excellent (740-759) Very Good (720-739) Good (700-719) Above Average (680-699) Average (660-679) Fair (640-659) Need Improvement (620-639) Poor (350-620)

Loan Amount

$

Points

Up to 0 points Up to 0.5 points Up to 1 points Up to 1.5 points Up to 2 points Up to 2.5 points Up to 3 points

LTV

%

Loan Term

 15-Year Fixed  20-Year Fixed  30-Year Fixed  5-Year ARM  7-Year ARM  10-Year ARM

Show Advertiser Disclosure

The lenders whose rates and other terms appear on this chart are ICB's advertising partners. They provide their rate information to our data partner RateUpdate.com. Unless adjusted by the consumer, advertisers are sorted by APR from lowest to highest. For any advertising partners that do not provide their rate they are listed in advertisement display units at the bottom of the chart. Advertising partners may not pay to improve the frequency priority or prominence of their display. The interest rates, annual percentage rates and other terms advertised here are estimates provided by those advertising partners based on the information you entered above and do not bind. Any lender Monthly payment amounts stated do not include amounts for taxes and insurance premiums. The actual payment obligation will be greater if taxes and insurance are included. Although our data partner RateUpdate.com collects the information from the financial institutions themselves, the accuracy of the data cannot be guaranteed. Rates may change without notice and can change intraday. Some of the information contained in the rate tables including but not limited to special marketing notes is provided directly by the lenders. Please verify the rates and offers before applying for a loan with the financial institution themselves. No rate is binding until locked by a lender.

Lender

APR / Rate

Fees / Points

Payment

NMLS #757416

5.521%

15-Year Fixed

5.375%

$3,812

Includes 0.953 points for $3,812

Lender Fees: $0

$3,242 /mo

Next >

NMLS #1025894

5.546%

15-Year Fixed

5.375%

$4,476

Includes 0.944 points for $3,776

Lender Fees: $700

$3,242 /mo

Next >

NMLS #6606

5.765%

15-Year Fixed

5.625%

$3,628

Includes 0.907 points for $3,628

Lender Fees: $0

$3,295 /mo

Next >

NMLS #401822

6.194%

15-Year Fixed

6.000%

$4,995

Includes 0.750 points for $3,000

Lender Fees: $1,995

$3,376 /mo

Next >

NMLS #757416

6.562%

30-Year Fixed

6.490%

$2,988

Includes 0.747 points for $2,988

Lender Fees: $0

$2,526 /mo

Next >

NMLS #1025894

6.590%

30-Year Fixed

6.490%

$4,188

Includes 0.872 points for $3,488

Lender Fees: $700

$2,526 /mo

Next >

NMLS #401822

6.644%

30-Year Fixed

6.500%

$5,995

Includes 1.000 points for $4,000

Lender Fees: $1,995

$2,529 /mo

Next >

NMLS #6606

6.713%

30-Year Fixed

6.625%

$3,628

Includes 0.907 points for $3,628

Lender Fees: $0

$2,562 /mo

Next >

Rate data provided by RateUpdate.com. Displayed by ICB, a division of Mortgage Research Center, NMLS #1907, Equal Housing Opportunity. Payments do not include taxes and insurance premiums. Actual payments will be greater with taxes and insurance included. Rate and product details.

Factors to Consider Before Refinancing

Here are some questions you should ask yourself before deciding to refinance:

1. Are you planning to move soon? If you plan to move in the next few years, you may not have enough time to recoup the costs associated with refinancing. In this case, refinancing may not be the best option.
2. Has the value of your home fallen? A decrease in the market value of a property since obtaining the original mortgage may make it difficult to secure a more favorable refinancing loan. Homeowners with available funds to pay down their loan may have better refinancing options.
3. Has your credit standing declined? A lower credit score can affect the cost of the loan. You should review the interest rate and other terms offered to ensure that the loan is still a good deal.
4. Does your mortgage have a prepayment penalty? You should check your loan documents for a prepayment penalty. If one exists, the penalty will need to be paid when refinancing the mortgage.
5. What are the closing costs? Closing costs for refinancing can be significant, often amounting to 2-5% of the loan amount. You should ensure that the potential savings from refinancing outweigh these costs.

Types of Refinancing Options

There are several refinancing options available to you, including:

1. Rate-and-term refinancing. This option involves changing the interest rate, the term of the loan, or both. Homeowners typically choose this option to secure a lower interest rate or to shorten the term of their mortgage.
2. Cash-out refinancing. Homeowners can tap into their home equity by refinancing for a higher loan amount and receiving the difference in cash. This option is often used for purposes such as consolidating debt, funding home improvements, or financing major expenses.
3. Cash-in refinancing. This option involves the homeowner making a lump-sum payment to reduce the outstanding loan balance. This can help homeowners obtain better loan terms, remove private mortgage insurance, or lower their monthly payments.
4. Streamline refinancing. Streamline refinancing is designed to simplify the refinancing process for homeowners with government-backed loans, such as FHA or VA loans. These programs often require less paperwork and can result in lower closing costs.

Steps Involved in the Refinancing Process

1. Assess your financial situation Evaluate your current financial situation, including your credit score, income, and debt-to-income ratio. Ensure that you meet the lender's requirements for refinancing.
2. Shop around for the best loan terms. Compare loan offers from multiple lenders to find the best mortgage rate and terms for your refinancing needs.
3. Obtain a Loan Estimate. After selecting a lender, submit your application and receive a Loan Estimate. This document outlines the loan's features, including any prepayment penalties and the total dollar cost of the loan. Review the Loan Estimate carefully to understand the costs and potential savings associated with refinancing.

4. Gather required documentation. Prepare the necessary documentation for your lender, which may include pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, and proof of homeowners insurance. The specific documentation required may vary depending on the type of refinancing and the lender's requirements.
5. Complete the underwriting process. The lender will review your application and documentation to determine if you qualify for the refinancing loan. During the underwriting process, the lender may request additional information or documentation.
6. Lock your interest rate. Once your loan application is approved, you may have the option to lock in the interest rate. This ensures that your rate will not change between approval and closing, even if market rates fluctuate.
7. Schedule a closing. Once the underwriting process is complete, schedule a closing date with your lender. At closing, you will sign the new loan documents, and the funds from the new loan will be used to pay off your existing mortgage.
8. Begin making payments on the new loan. After the closing, you will start making payments on your new loan according to the agreed-upon terms.

Refinancing a mortgage can be a valuable financial move for some homeowners, but it is important to consider the various factors involved before making a decision. You should evaluate your individual situations, including their future plans, current home value, credit standing, and the presence of prepayment penalties in their existing mortgage.

By weighing the costs and benefits of refinancing and identifying their financial goals, you can make an informed decision about whether or not refinancing is the right move. Understanding the different types of refinancing options and the steps involved in the refinancing process can help you navigate this complex financial decision more effectively.