A Beginner’s Guide to Refinancing Your Home Mortgage

home mortgage refinance, home mortgage refinance loan

A home mortgage refinance is a major step that requires research and information that is beneficial to make the right decisions. When you get a new mortgage on your home because you want to replace the original mortgage, this is referred to as home mortgage refinancing. There are a number of reasons you will want to consider refinancing your home, such as getting a lower interest rate and a shorter term to pay off the mortgage. The economic climate we have today causes borrowers to desire more of a fixed rate and the ability to gain money in the transaction. The money that they may get through a home mortgage refinance plan helps to pay off bills to keep a good credit score.

home mortgage refinance, home mortgage refinance loan

Source: Thinkstock/Masuti

Advantages of Home Mortgage Refinancing

One of the major advantages of doing a home mortgage refinance is the reduction of your interest rate. When you have worked for a longer period of time and paid off some of the past bills, like student loans, your credit rate has improved entitling you to a lower interest rate. You will be able to save hundreds of dollars with a lower interest rate. So your monthly payments will decrease freeing up more of your income.

Refinancing is a simple procedure as you are only getting a new mortgage to reduce interest and monthly payments. The freed up income will help you make other major, perhaps more needed purchases. It is important to have some equity in your home before you go for a refinance. Equity is the difference in the amount of money already paid towards the worth of the home. A home mortgage refinance is easier to obtain when the equity has built up in your home.

There Are Risks Involved with Refinancing

The ability to refinance your home mortgage can come with some risk factors that a person should consider before making the decision for a new home mortgage. The first thing to consider is that you might be faced with penalties without paying off your existing mortgage. Check out your mortgage agreement because some companies put a clause in your contract that when you refinance, you will need to pay out a fee. The fee could amount to thousands of dollars.

When you do a refinance, make sure that all your fees are covered along with any extra refinancing fees. It would not be worth your while to lose money because of penalties. Most people are beginners when it comes to refinancing and find that they are not aware of all the risks involved in doing a refinance. You will have other fees to consider as well when you start your refinance procedure — for instance, the cost of an attorney, paperwork for filing, and perhaps extra bank fees.

Let’s Refinance

The bank you have taken your original mortgage out of requires that you keep it for at least one year. Some financial institutions require that you keep your mortgage a longer period of time. These things must be checked out before you begin any home mortgage refinance loan procedures. It is proper to contact your own financial institution to find out any options that they might offer you before you consider going to another bank.

It is best to do your refinancing with your original lender rather than trying to find a new lender. A home mortgage can easily be obtained if you have built up your equity. In some cases, a person may want to make improvements on the home they own so that is why refinancing is considered. This is a very good reason to ask for a new mortgage.

Getting a Home Mortgage Refinance Loan

In order to do a home mortgage refinance, you must show that you are able to pay for this new mortgage. Most lenders prefer to keep their customers so they are willing to give you a home mortgage refinance loan when you have the proper income. It saves on doing a title search and other required paperwork since it`s already previously done with the first mortgage.

When the home mortgage money is going to be used to pay off bills, make repairs, buy a vehicle, etc. your bank is usually very understanding. It is always best to do your refinance with the mortgage company you hold the original mortgage. The amount of your refinance can easily be calculated by your home mortgage financial institution.

Featured Image Source: Thinkstock/photojournalis

Posted on February 15, 2023