Just like obtaining a mortgage for the initial purchase of a home is a labor intensive process that requires good consumer skills, securing a refinance home loan product for your existing mortgage product also requires care, knowledge, and patience. Begin your quest for a new loan with a search for consumer education in the latest refinancing trends and also crunch the numbers to ensure that your idea of refinancing your property is well thought out and ultimately advantageous for you.
Learning the ABCs of mortgage refinancing does not have to be complicated, but it does need to be thorough enough to ensure that you not only understand the various loan products but also the process itself and the long term effects your refinance decision will have.
Probably the first decision you need to make with respect to a refinance option is the length of the new loan you wish to find. While a 15 year mortgage costs less in interest over the life of the loan, it does have higher monthly payments. Conversely, a 30 year loan will cost you more in interest, but your monthly payment is less. Decide what your primary focus with the refinance is and then look over your budget to ascertain what you can afford with respect to a mortgage payment.
The next aspect of your refinance loan that plays a big roll in the decision process is the interest rate. This rate determines how much the loan itself will cost you over the length of time that it is in effect. The higher the interest rate, the more the loan costs. The lower the interest, the less money you are spending on the privilege of having the loan. If you refinance your home solely for the advantageous interest rate, you need to realize that you may not actually see the profit of your actions unless you stay in the home secured by the loan for a long period of time. In some cases, the break even point at which the cost of the refinance and the savings associated with the lower interest rate coincide may be years in the future!
Often overlooked, the fees associated with the refinance of a home loan can wreak havoc with any savings you are hoping to realize. Some lenders charge a lot of ancillary fees that literally nickel and dime you to the point of breaking even years later. Other lenders commit to charging a much lower flat fee and in so doing you would reach the breaking even point a lot sooner. The fees are always disclosed ahead of time and carefully reading through the list can save you a lot of money before you even begin the refinance process!
Shop around for the lowest refinance rates and fees that are currently offered. Spend a bit of extra time to compare and contrast the various loan products that are available to you, and then choose wisely with respect to the loan type and the fees and interest rate you are willing to accept.