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Featured Mortgage Refinance Articles

2nd Mortgage Loans
If you are still confused about what a 2nd mortgage loan is and how you can use it to your advantage, you are literally losing money. If you are still confused about what a 2nd mortgage loan is and how you can use it to your advantage, you are ...

Home Mortgage Rates: Saving Up On Your Loan
The economy needs a bit of stimulation and the feds are lowering down home mortgage rates to get it up and running again. Borrowing money with lowered home mortgage rates has never been this easy or this cheap. So, why not take advantage of this lowered ...

Real Estate Problem Solver
Introduction There are many areas one can invest in. Since I was 15 years old I have looked for the fastest, most effective way to accumulate a lot of wealth, with the least amount of risk. I am now 58. While looking for this road to truth, I spent a ...




Refinancing - Is this a Beneficial Route for You?
 
There's been much talk about refinance over the past few years, however, few people understand how refinancing works and why it can be beneficial.

When mortgage interest rates plummet, homeowners flock to refinance their mortgage, and naturally so. The reasoning behind most refinance is that getting a lower interest rate will affect the long-term mortgage balance. This is true, but it's not the only reason a person may choose to refinance.

There are quite a few good reasons why refinancing may be right for you.

Below are some of the most common reasons for refinancing and the benefits behind each reason:

1. The homeowner wishes to negotiate a shorter term for their loan to pay it off more quickly and save money on the overall balance and interest.

2. Interest rates are lower than the original loan, and the homeowner wishes to take advantage of the lower rates while they're available.

NOTE: This is only beneficial if the homeowner plans to stay in their home a while after refinancing. If they're planning to move within the next year or two, there's really no reason to refinance because of the fees incurred while refinancing.

3. The homeowner has an adjustable-rate mortgage and wishes to transfer to a fixed rate. Although variable rates are often lower, there's no guarantee or stability. With a fixed rate, the homeowner has peace of mind that the rate will remain the same throughout the years.

4. The homeowner needs extra cash to pay towards a large purchase such as home repairs, college tuition for their children, etc. This can only be done if there is enough equity in the home.

The best ways to decide if refinancing is right for you is to consult a local mortgage center and / or research it online. The Internet is a certainly a great place to commence research before making your decision. There are many websites and online calculators available for free that will help you to determine if refinance really will be worth it for you.

If you feel it's not going to be worth the costs, but still would like to make changes to your mortgage terms, you can contact your current lender to find out if you have other options available. Sometimes, the interest rate can be lowered or the payment modified - without refinancing.

Remember: Learn as many facts as possible before making your "big decision". You'll save time and money in the future.

Copyright 2005 Luke Sharp

About the author:

Luke Sharp is a valued member of the "Online Refinance" team. After the "Luke Sharp treatment" complicated subjects seem clearer. See more articles,"poemicles", and lots of info on refinance at www.onlinerefinance.net





Mortgage Refinance News

Paulson calls for replacing Fannie/Freddie - Birmingham Business Journal
Outgoing U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson reflected on the downfall and future of embattled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in a speech before the Economic Club of Washington on Wednesday. He argued that there was widespread ...

PersonalFinance: Should you refinance? - Reuters India
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Mortgage rates have been tantalizingly low and, for many, the decision to refinance has been a no-brainer. The year-end dip in mortgage rates to historic lows prompted a flurry of applications from homeowners wanting to cash in ...

Refinancing suddenly booms - Honolulu Advertiser
Historically low interest rates recently have sparked a mortgage refinance boom in Hawai'i that is helping homeowners and lenders during difficult economic times. The national average interest on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage last week dropped to 5 ...

Waco banks seeing a boom in mortgage refinance applications - Waco Tribune-Herald
With mortgage rates hitting record lows, Mary Jo Teakell is seeing a growing backlog of refinance applications. “We’re quite busy right now,” said Teakell, senior vice president at Extraco Banks, commenting on the surge in people wanting to get ...

Appraisers sound alarm on part of new federal standards - Arlington Heights Daily Herald
WASHINGTON - When you apply for a mortgage to buy or refinance a house, should you be concerned that your appraiser is being paid much less - maybe just half - of the $300 to $600 you're charged on your settlement sheet? Should you know who pockets ...