Refinancing your mortgage can mean great savings for you and your family. Replacing your existing mortgage with a lower interest loan, changing the term of your loan, or even consolidating all your debts into this new loan could save you money, both monthly and over the life of the loan.
The rule of thumb is when interest rates are 1.5 to 2% lower than you are currently paying on your mortgage, it’s time to consider refinancing.
Would Refinancing Be Worth It?
Refinancing can be worthwhile, but it does not make financial sense for everyone. There are a number of items to consider, such as how long you plan to stay in the house. Most sources say that it takes at least 3 years to fully realize the savings from a lower interest rate, given the costs of the refinancing.
Refinancing can be a good idea for homeowners who:
* Have an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) and want a fixed-rate loan to have the certainty of knowing exactly what the mortgage payment will be for the life of the loan.
* Want to build up equity more quickly by converting to a loan with a shorter term.
* Want to draw on the equity built up in their house to get...