Generally speaking, if you can earn the refinancing costs (normally 1%-3% of the loan value) back within two to three years, and it’s a home you’re prepared to stay in for much longer than that,it’s usually a good option to refinance your mortgage. From a risk perspective if you have an adjustable rate mortgage, refinancing to a low 30 year fixed rate may also be a good idea because it will ensure your repayments never skyrocket and place you under financial duress.

Also, never blindly trust mortgage brokers who will give you life-of-loan refinance savings calculations that may not factor in the taxation implications (mortgage interest is tax deductible). Also, consider the opportunity cost of refinancing.

Refinancing Home Loans

Could you make more by putting that money into other investments? You can search on-line for a number of refinancing calculators and do the numbers based on your own personal situation. So do your homework before looking to refinance and like any financial product or service always shop around to get the lowest fees and best rates. Should I Refinance My Home?

A couple I know recently purchased a home costing $400,000. They weighed their options and felt that the best way to finance this is with an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM).

ARMs have taken a lot of criticisms for the mortgage crisis. With these loans like these, borrowers pay out at a low initial rate for a fixed period of time. After that, mortgages will defer to higher rates. Critics say they lure borrowers into purchases that they can’t really afford.

Continue reading How to Refinance – Are Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARM) Bad?