If you are a home-owner, refinancing is something that can come along as either an opportunity or a necessity. But, whichever it is, it is a big decision that will require a lot of thought and research. Many people are aware that refinancing is an option but are confused about:
>> Where to start; or
>> Whether it is the best path to take.
So, if you are considering refinancing your home, here are a few basic questions you need to ask yourself:
Question 1 – Why do you want to refinance?
Before you do anything at all, you must first evaluate the reasons behind your desire to refinance. To help you, here is a list of reasons why you might be considering the option to refinance:
You may want to lower your monthly payment
Sometimes interest rates drop, and you might find that you can refinance in order to lessen your monthly mortgage payment. However, you might have a problem if you owe more than your house is worth. You may also want to make sure that your interest rate won’t be higher as the result of your lower monthly payment.
You may want to lower your total costs
Sometimes refinancing can be the best way to pay off your home loan faster. As you pay less interest by refinancing, you can lower the overall cost of your home loan. If you are eager to pay off your loan quickly, be careful. It is because refinancing to a shorter term loan might also increase your monthly payment-in which case it may not be worth it.
You may want to switch interest rates
Switching from a “variable” interest rate to a “fixed” interest rate is one reason to refinance. This can make your mortgage payments simpler and easier to manage in the long run as the interest rate will remain unchanged for a fixed period. Also, switching to a fixed interest rate can also protect you against any potential interest rate rises.
You may want some cash-out
This type of refinancing option involves using the equity in your house to enable you to get cash for other purposes. If the reason for refinancing your home loan is to get cash-out, then make sure that your new mortgage is still affordable, and that you are seeking the cash-out for an essential reason, otherwise you may run into serious trouble in the long run.
Question 2 – What will it cost you?
This is probably the biggest question that you may ask yourself about refinancing. When it comes down to it, you need to be aware of all of the potential costs before you can make a proper decision. Once you have considered all of the possible outcomes, you can then make a well-informed decision. If you are looking to cash out, your purpose is to get more money immediately, so it will obviously cost you a little more in the long run.
So, if you are looking to save some money and you may want to avoid any fees where possible, then here are some aspects of refinancing that may cost you money:
Penalties
Check out the fine print on your current mortgage. If you are not sure what it means, have an expert finance broker or solicitor look at it. There is a chance that there may be some penalties involved for paying off your home loan early. If this is the case, it might not be cost-effective to refinance.
If you owe more than your house is worth
Houses can decrease in value. If you owe more than your house is worth, you might end up having to pay the difference yourself, and that may make refinancing a less attractive option.
Question 3 – How long are you going to stay in your home?
A lot of your decision-making will depend on how long you intend to stay in your home, such as:
>> If you intend to move in a few years, then refinancing with a “variable” interest rate mortgage loan may be a good option or not refinancing at all may be the best choice for you.
>> If you intend to stay in your home for a very long time, a variable interest rate home loan might not be the best idea. But, refinancing to a “fixed” interest rate home loan may help you in the future.
Question 4 – What do you do now?
So, you have now weighed up all of your options and you know for certain that you want to refinance. What do you do now?
First, you need to make sure that you will be able to refinance. This means:
>> You will need a good credit score;
>> You will need to ensure you have enough “equity” in your home (i.e. this might be 10 or even 20 percent of your home’s value); and
>> You will need to have proof of a good source of “income” and steady “employment”.
After you have considered all of the above, you should check your current mortgage for any possible penalties for paying it early, and make sure that the penalties will not outweigh the benefits of refinancing.
Next, seek expert and professional advice from a qualified “finance broker” who will:
>> Have access to interest rate comparisons;
>> Be able to show you the long-term savings benefits; and
>> Be able to confirm if these savings outweigh the short-term costs.
Refinancing helps you lower your home loan cost and ensures maximum savings. Do not get overwhelmed by the complicated refinancing process. You can contact an expert finance broker to help you.
