Refinancing your mortgage is supposed to save you money or free up some cash so you can pay for home improvement projects or other needs. But refinancing can also be expensive. That’s because refinance closing costs add up in a hurry, potentially costing you thousands of dollars. In fact, the average cost to refinance a mortgage is $4,345. Thankfully, there are ways to avoid some of these costs and keep more money in your pocket. Here’s a look at some common refinancing costs and what you can do to save money.
Category: Mortgage and Refinance
Refinance Closing: Checklist and What to Expect
Even at its best, refinancing your home can still be a long, difficult process. So, when it finally comes time to close on your new mortgage, it’s almost always a huge relief. But the work isn’t quite done yet. There are a number of steps you’ll need to take to ensure a successful refinance closing. Here’s what to expect from the refinance closing process as well as a checklist to keep everything in order.
4 Types of Home Mortgage Refinancing Options
There are lots of reasons to refinance your home – save money on interest, lower your monthly mortgage payment, or get cash for home improvements, just to name a few (check out these next level upgrades for some examples). But there are equally as many different types of refinancing options. With so many stipulations and conditions that vary, it can be hard to know which is right for you. Here’s a closer look at the four most common types of refinance options and what they could mean for you.
Is Refinancing Your Mortgage Worth It?
Most people who choose to refinance their house don’t do it because they love filling out financial paperwork. They do it to save money. The hope is that by getting a better interest rate, home owners can lower their monthly payments and come out ahead. But that isn’t always the case, and sometimes the timing just isn’t right to refinance, even with historically low rates. Here are the top five reasons why it might not be worth it to refinance your mortgage right now, plus other refinancing problems you should avoid.
Low Mortgage Interest Rates Call for Refinancing
In 2020, mortgage interest rates dropped to an all-time low and went under three percent for the first time ever. In fact, the mortgage interest rate dropped 14 times in 2020. This was in response to the global coronavirus pandemic, after rates had been declining for years prior. The Federal Reserve, who is responsible for influencing interest rates, has said that rates will remain low, potentially for several years. With these historic low rates, now is an excellent time to consider buying or refinancing your home.
Read More “Low Mortgage Interest Rates Call for Refinancing”
How to Submit a Winning Offer with an FHA Loan
Many first-time home buyers use FHA loans because of the significant benefits they provide. But there are some unique considerations you have to keep in mind, particularly when it comes to actually writing an offer. Here’s a quick introduction to FHA loans as well as some tips on how to submit a winning offer using one of these loans.
Submit a Winning VA Loan Offer
When presented with an offer on a home that involve government-backed loans like VA loans, sellers can be hesitant. This is mostly because some people believe that VA loans make a deal harder to close. That may have been true at one point, but is far from the truth now. Still, these beliefs persist. So, if you’re an active duty military member or veteran using a VA loan to buy a house, you’ll need to make sure your offer is as strong as possible to be accepted. Here are some tips on purchasing a house with a VA loan and crafting a winning offer.
What is the Cost to Refinance a Home?
Refinancing your mortgage can be a great way to save money. But you’re going to have to spend a little money to do it. As they say, “No pain, no gain.” That pain largely comes in the form of closing costs, and they can be significant. Here’s a detailed look at the cost to refinance a home and how you can save money now and in the future.
How to Refinance Your Home and Save
There are many reasons why you’d want to refinance your home. Maybe you want to pay off your home faster. Or use part of the equity you’ve built up to fund some home improvement projects. Maybe interest rates have gone down since you bought your home and you’re just looking to lower your monthly mortgage payment and save some money. Whatever the case may be, you’re going to need a solid plan to accomplish your goal. Here’s how to refinance your home and save money in the process.
What Does a Mortgage Loan Officer Do to Help Me Buy a Home or Refinance?
What does a mortgage loan officer do? Simply put, a mortgage loan officer will gather and review their clients’ financial information and documentation to determine if their client is eligible for a mortgage home loan. They are required to follow all federal and state lending regulations during their evaluation process in determining eligibility. Do they take mortgage loan officer training? Is it required to have a mortgage loan officer license? More importantly, what does a mortgage loan officer do for me? Let’s unwrap this for you.
Read More “What Does a Mortgage Loan Officer Do to Help Me Buy a Home or Refinance?”