Many home buyers close their loans, make their payments and don't think about their mortgages again. They don't consider refinancing when they should. If you are among these inattentive homeowners, here are four truths about mortgage refinancing that may surprise you.
Truth #1 – Mortgage Refinancing can save you money.
If interest rates have dropped since you got your original loan, refinancing can reduce your monthly payment. When you refinance, you can also choose to shorten your loan term, meaning you will pay less money in interest over the life of the mortgage.
You could also save money by switching from an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) to a fixed-rate mortgage. The interest rate on an ARM is based on an index such as the LIBOR or the U.S. Treasury Bill. If they go up, so do your payments. By refinancing to a fixed-rate mortgage, you can prevent payment increases. (Your monthly payment might still increase due to changes in property taxes or insurance, but your principle and interest amounts will stay the same.)
If your original mortgage was for more than 80 percent of your home’s value, you are paying private mortgage insurance (PMI) as part of your monthly payment. As the value of your home increases and the principle on your mortgage decreases, you can get rid of PMI by refinancing for less than 80 percent of your home’s value.
Truth #1 – Mortgage Refinancing can save you money.
If interest rates have dropped since you got your original loan, refinancing can reduce your monthly payment. When you refinance, you can also choose to shorten your loan term, meaning you will pay less money in interest over the life of the mortgage.
You could also save money by switching from an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) to a fixed-rate mortgage. The interest rate on an ARM is based on an index such as the LIBOR or the U.S. Treasury Bill. If they go up, so do your payments. By refinancing to a fixed-rate mortgage, you can prevent payment increases. (Your monthly payment might still increase due to changes in property taxes or insurance, but your principle and interest amounts will stay the same.)
If your original mortgage was for more than 80 percent of your home’s value, you are paying private mortgage insurance (PMI) as part of your monthly payment. As the value of your home increases and the principle on your mortgage decreases, you can get rid of PMI by refinancing for less than 80 percent of your home’s value.