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The word refinance gets thrown around quite a bit. The problem for many is the confusion surrounding why. For the sake of providing clear and worthy information, the following is our cheat sheet for the subject of mortgage refinance.
re·fi·nance rēˈfīˌnans, rēfəˈnans
verb
To finance (something) again, typically with a new loan at a lower rate of interest
The key to this definition would be the part about a lower rate of interest. Most people know that’s a good thing, but here’s why:
When mortgage interest rates drop lower than the rate on your current loan, you may want to think about refinancing. Oftentimes a refi can be done with little or no closing costs. If this is the case, the financial benefit from your refi is immediate.
Shorter loan terms carry lower rates. By shortening the term, you will alleviate thousands of dollars in saved interest. Compounded with a lower interest rate and the savings are staggering.
By lowering your interest rate you create financial options outside of lowering your payment. The money you save on your monthly mortgage payment can now be put towards other investments such as retirement accounts. Or, it can be put toward the principal of your loan, resulting in an even shorter loan term.
When you refinance an existing mortgage, your new loan can be for an amount greater than what is owed. The overage can then be taken out as cash and used for different purposes.
Consolidating high-interest debts such as credit cards or student loans can often save you hundreds of dollars in monthly interest.
Additional savings can also occur due to the tax deductibility of mortgage debt.
Consolidating is also a great way to improve your credit score, as it reduces your overall number of creditors and lowers your revolving debt levels.
Cash-out financing can be used for large purchases such as a down payment on an investment property, a new car, or financing a child’s education. Borrowing these funds in other ways could lead to higher, taxable interest rates.
Your home is an important part of your total net worth. Make sure to consider all your options carefully before deciding to take cash out of your home’s equity. Tapping the equity of your home has potential risks that should be carefully evaluated prior to moving forward. You can use our refinance calculator to find out just how you might be able to benefit from a refinance.
Your loan-to-value ratio (LTV) describes what you owe on your mortgage as a percentage of the total current value of your property. It’s important to understand your LTV ratio, because it affects the rate and type of new loan you may qualify for.
$300,000 is 75% of $400,000—so that’s an 75% loan-to-value ratio.
On the majority of loan programs a lower loan to value will give you lower rates and costs than a higher loan to value.
No matter why you’re interested in refinancing your mortgage it is important to consider all your options, as well as any potential risks. Our team of skilled and knowledgeable professionals at Sammamish Mortgage can help you do just that.
For more information about mortgage refinancing, or to find out how Sammamish Mortgage can help you, we invite you to contact us today. We’re a local, family-owned mortgage firm based in the Washington area and serve the entire state, in addition to the broader Pacific Northwest region including Oregon, Colorado, Idaho & California. Please contact us with any mortgage-related questions or to get a rate quote.
Whether you’re buying a home or ready to refinance, our professionals can help.
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No Obligation and transparency 24/7. Instantly compare live rates and costs from our network of lenders across the country. Real-time accurate rates and closing costs for a variety of loan programs custom to your specific situation.