Home Refinancing-Making The Right Choice | Mortgage

Home Refinancing-Making The Right Choice

by NedDagostino

Saving money is always a good thing, but sometimes you're already stretched so thin that it seems like there's nowhere else to cut back. Perhaps now is the time to take a close look at your home loan. Home refinancing can be a great way to cut down on your monthly bills, but it can also end up costing you more than you save if you're not careful. So when is it a good idea?

Clearly the first thing to look at is your current mortgage. If you have an adjustable rate, a fixed rate loan at a low rate can normally save you money in the long run. Adjustable rate mortgages are good if you get your loan when rates are high, but in current rate environment they just don't make sense. If you can lock in a low rate, you will clearly save money over the length of the loan. When rates go back up, and they always do, you'll still have a great rate on your loan.

Something else to consider is if you have a pending balloon payment. Maybe it snuck up on you and you're not prepared or simply don't have the money to pay. Refinancing could be your only option. Also find out if the rate you're paying now is higher than the current market rate. If it is, you should definitely look into refinancing. All it takes is one-quarter of one percent difference in the rate to make a huge difference on a 30 year mortgage.

But in all cases you should carefully look at the closing costs for refinancing. They can be pretty significant. Then figure out how long it will take you to recover that money with whatever you will be saving every month.

Why is this important? Well if you plan on moving in the near future, refinancing may end up costing you money. Be sure you are going to stay in your home long enough to make up the difference, otherwise you're just throwing money away.

Also look at the potential pre-payment penalties on your new loan. Most new loans will have them, and the average cost is 2-5 years. If you will be moving and need to take out a new loan, this will be an expensive problem. It's also a problem if you want the loan to be paid off early. So be sure to determine those pre-payment penalties and again, measure them against your monthly savings.

Of course the most obvious thing to look at is your monthly payment. Many people choose a cash out option when refinancing. This means money in your pocket now, but it also means a higher balance on your loan. Even if your interest rate goes down, it is conceivable that your monthly payment will actually go up. The best situation is to get a rate significantly lower while using a cash out option. This means money now and lower payments, even with a higher balance.

Clearly there are a lot of potential advantages to home refinancing. But doing it at the wrong time can be very costly. Make sure you check all the savings against the fees and the outside factors such as a potential move. If it all makes sense, shop around for a good lender. You'll be surprised at how different their terms can be. Don't be afraid to ask friends and relatives for recommendations.

Do this right, and it's like money in the bank. Do it wrong, and you could be paying for years to come.

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as information only and is not to be taken as financial advice.

There are many ways to get cash in your wallet or decrease your payment by using your home. Find out how methods like second mortgage refinancing or even a home equity refinance can help ease your financial burden by visiting www.home-mortgage-refinancing-loan.com.